



Chapter 9
Special Services

910 Special Mail Services

911 Registered Mail

911.1 Description

911.11 Purpose.
The registered mail system provides added protection for valuable and
important mail.  Postal insurance coverage may be purchased for mail which
is registered in case of loss or damage.  Registered mail is the most
secure service the Postal Service offers.  It incorporates a system of
receipts to monitor the mail's movement from the point of acceptance to
delivery.

911.12 What May Be Registered.
Only matter prepaid with postage at the First-Class rates may be
registered.  The face of the registered article must be at least 5 inches
long and 3-1/2 inches high, regardless of thickness. Business reply mail
may not be registered.  Business reply envelopes may not be used for
registered mail.  Official mail prepared in accordance with 137
and items returned under merchandise return service in 919 may be
registered without prepayment of postage and fees.  However, mail of a
Government department or agency for which insurance is requested cannot be
sent as penalty mail and must have postage and fees prepaid.

911.13 Where to Mail.
Registration may be obtained by presenting mail to the following:

a. Post Offices and Their Branches and Stations.
Postmasters accept mail of unusually high value only at the main office
or larger branches and stations.

b. Rural Carriers.
Mail and cash may be left in a rural box.  Any change must be handed to
the sender or placed in an envelope and left in the box on the carrier's
next trip.  Responsibility is not assumed for articles or money until a
receipt is issued.  No responsibility is assumed for any change placed in
the box.

c. Nonpersonnel Rural Units.
Customers must meet the rural carrier at the nonpersonnel rural unit to
have mail registered.

911.14 Registration Not Available.
Mail cannot be registered if it is

a.
placed in street letterboxes or in maildrops in post offices,

b.
addressed to post offices to which it cannot be transported safely,

c.
prepared improperly (see 911.3),

d.
tied or fastened with one or more articles, unless enclosed in the same
envelope or wrapper, or

e.
presented for mailing in (1) padded envelopes; (2) envelopes or mailers
manufactured of spun-bonded olefin, such as Tyvek; (3) plastic envelopes
or mailers; or (4) envelopes or mailers made of paper coated with a glossy
surface (see 911.31a).

911.15 Additional Services

911.151 Registered COD.
Combined registry and COD service is available.  The regular registered
mail fees apply, plus the collection charge specified in 911.21.
The mail must conform with registered mail and COD service requirements
(see 914).

911.152 Return Receipts.
The sender may obtain a Form 3811 return receipt by paying fees in
addition to the registration fee and postage, as outlined in
932.2.

911.153 Restricted Delivery.
Restricted delivery may be obtained as set forth in 933.1 and
by the payment of additional fees as provided in 933.2.  For
circumstances under which restricted delivery may be made by delivery to
a person other than the addressee, see 933.4.

911.2 Fees and Liability

911.21 Fees in Addition to Postage.
See Exhibit 911.21.

Exhibit 911.21 REGISTRY FEES

                                          Fees (in addition to postage)
 
              Value                 For articles with    For articles
without
                                    postal insurance       postal insurance
 
                                       COLUMN A              COLUMN B
 

$0.00 to $100 ....................         $4.50                 $4.40
$100.01 to $500 ..................          4.85                  4.70
$500.01 to $1,000 ................          5.25                  5.05
$1,000.01 to $2,000 ..............          5.70                  5.40
$2,000.01 to $3,000 ..............          6.15                  5.75
$3,000.01 to $4,000 ..............          6.60                  6.10
$4,000.01 to $5,000 ..............          7.05                  6.45
$5,000.01 to $6,000 ..............          7.50                  6.80
$6,000.01 to $7,000 ..............          7.95                  7.15
$7,000.01 to $8,000 ..............          8.40                  7.50
$8,000.01 to $9,000 ..............          8.85                  7.85
$9,000.01 to $10,000 .............          9.30                  8.20
$10,000.01 to $11,000 ............          9.75                  8.55
$11,000.01 to $12,000 ............         10.20                  8.90
$12,000.01 to $13,000 ............         10.65                  9.25
$13,000.01 to $14,000 ............         11.10                  9.60
$14,000.01 to $15,000 ............         11.55                  9.95
$15,000.01 to $16,000 ............         12.00                 10.30
$16,000.01 to $17,000 ............         12.45                 10.65
$17,000.01 to $18,000 ............         12.90                 11.00
$18,000.01 to $19,000 ............         13.35                 11.35
$19,000.01 to $20,000 ............         13.80                 11.70
$20,000.01 to $21,000 ............         14.25                 12.05
$21,000.01 to $22,000 ............         14.70                 12.40
$22,000.01 to $23,000 ............         15.15                 12.75
$23,000.01 to $24,000 ............         15.60                 13.10
$24,000.01 to $25,000 ............         16.05                 13.45
$25,000.01 to $1,000,000 .........        $16.05 plus handling  $13.45

plus handling charge of $0.35 charge of $0.35 per $1,000 orper $1,000 or
fraction over fraction over first $25,000.first $25,000.  Fees for articles
valued in excess of $25,000 are for handling only.  $25,000 is the maximum
amount of insurance coverage available.

$1,000,000.01 to $15,000,000 ..... $357.30 plus handling  $354.70 plus
handing
                      charge of $0.35charge of $0.35
                      per $1,000 orper $1,000 or
                      fraction overfraction over
                      first $1,000,000.first
$1,000,000.

Over $15,000,000 ................. Additional charges may be made based
                                   on considerations of weight, space,
                                   and value.

                           ADDITIONAL SERVICES
 
Extra
 
Fee

COD COLLECTION CHARGE (Maximum amount collectable is $600) ............
$2.50
RESTRICTED DELIVERY ...................................................
$2.50
RETURN RECEIPTS:
  Requested at time of mailing:
    Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered.....................
$1.00
    Showing to whom (signature), date, and address where delivered.....
$1.35
  Requested after mailing:
    Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered ....................
$6.00



Fees (in addition to
postage)
Value    For articles with postal
                                   insurance
                                   COLUMN A
                                     For articles without postal
                                     insurance
                                     COLUMN B


$0.00 to $100       $4.50               4.40
$100.01 to $500           4.85                4.70
$500.01 to $1,000         5.25                5.05
$1,000.01 to $2,000       5.70                5.40
$2,000.01 to $3,000       6.15                5.75
$3,000.01 to $4,000       6.60                6.10
$4,000.01 to $5,000       7.05                6.45
$5,000.01 to $6,000       7.50                6.80
$6,000.01 to $7,000       7.95                7.15
$7,000.01 to $8,000       8.40                7.50
$8,000.01 to $9,000       8.85                7.85
$9,000.01 to $10,000      9.30                8.20
$10,000.01 to $11,000     9.75                8.55
$11,000.01 to $12,000     10.20               8.90
$12,000.01 to $13,000     10.65               9.25
$13,000.01 to $14,000     11.10               9.60
$14,000.01 to $15,000     11.55               9.95
$15,000.01 to $16,000     12.00               10.30
$16,000.01 to $17,000     12.45               10.65
$17,000.01 to $18,000     12.90               11.00
$18,000.01 to $19,000     13.35               11.35
$19,000.01 to $20,000     13.80               11.70
$20,000.01 to $21,000     14.25               12.05
$21,000.01 to $22,000     14.70               12.40
$22,000.01 to $23,000     15.15               12.75
$23,000.01 to $24,000               15.60               13.10
$24,000.01 to $25,000     16.05               13.45


Fees for articles valued in excess of $25,000 are for handling
only.  $25,000 is the maximum amount of insurance coverage available.

$25,000.01 to $1,000,000
                                   $16.05 plus handling charge of
                                   $0.35 per $1,000 or fraction over
                                   first $25,000.
                                     $13.45 plus handling charge of
                                     $0.35 per $1,000 or fraction over
                                     first $25,000.

$1,000,000.01 to $15,000,000                $357.30 plus
                                                          handling charge
                                                          of $0.35 per
                                                          $1,000 or
                                                          fraction over
                                                          first
                                                          $1,000,000.
                                     $354.70 plus handling charge
                                     of $0.35 per $1,000 or fraction over
                                     first $1,000,000.

Over $15,000,000     Additional charges may be made
                                   based on considerations of weight,
                                   space, and value.



Additional Services
                                                                                                          Extra Fee

COD COLLECTION CHARGE (Maximum amount
collectible, $600)                                                              $2.50
RESTRICTED DELIVERY                                   $2.50
RETURN RECEIPTS:
Requested at time of mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered  $1.00
Showing to whom (signature), date, and
address where delivered                                                 $1.35
Requested after mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered  $6.00


Exhibit 911.21, Registry Fees]



911.22 Payment of Fees and Postage.
The fee and postage may be paid by ordinary postage stamps, meter
stamps, or by permit imprints.  If a permit imprint is used, the exact
amount of postage and fees paid must be shown within the permit imprint.
The fee and postage on official mail of Federal Government agencies and
departments may also be collected under the reimbursement procedures in
137.22.  The fees and postage on items registered with
merchandise return service are paid through a postage-due account as
explained in 919.332.

911.23 Postal Insurance Liability

911.231 Obtaining Postal Insurance.
Postal insurance may be purchased, at the option of the mailer, to cover
articles valued at the time of mailing up to $25,000.  To obtain postal
insurance, the full value of the article must be declared at the time of
mailing and the corresponding fee, as shown in Column A, Exhibit
911.21, must be paid.

911.232 With Commercial Insurance Containing a Deductible Amount.
If the mailer has commercial insurance containing a deductible amount,
postal insurance may be purchased for the amount of the deductible up to
the first $25,000 of value on the article at the time of mailing.  To do
this, the mailer must declare the full value of the article at the time of
mailing.  The mailer must then tell the accepting postal employee the
amount of the deductible requiring postal insurance.  The fee for the
deductible amount is then taken from Column A, Exhibit 911.21,
and entered in the "Reg. Fee" block on Form 3806 or the "Fee" block on Form
3877.  The remaining value of the article is charged a handling fee of
$0.35 per $1,000 or fraction thereof on values up to $1,000,000.  The
handling fee must be entered in the "Handling Charge" block on Form 3806
or Form 3877.  Articles valued at more than $1,000,000 are charged the
handling charge applicable in Exhibit 911.21.



911.233 Handling Charges.
The handling charge is assessed to offset the cost of handling
registered mail of higher value.  These charges cannot be added to the
registry fee to increase the liability of the Postal Service.

911.24 Refunds.
Registration fees cannot be refunded after the mail is accepted.  Return
receipt or restricted delivery fees are refunded only when failure to
furnish a return receipt or to give restricted delivery was the fault of
the Postal Service.  Receipts for fees must be submitted with requests for
refunds.

911.25 Declaration by Sender

911.251 Value.
The sender must tell the postal clerk (or enter on the firm mailing bill
if a firm mailer) the full value of mail matter presented for registration.
The fact that private insurance may be carried on registered mail does not
modify the requirements for declaring the full value.

911.252 Examples.
See Exhibit 911.252.





Kind of mail matter                 Value to be declared


Negotiable instruments--
Instruments payable to bearer,
including stock certificates endorsed
in blank.
                                          Market value (all values are
                                          based on the value at the time
                                          of mailing).

Nonnegotiable instruments--All
registered bonds, warehouse receipts,
checks, drafts, deeds, wills, abstracts,
and similar documents.  Certificates
of stock are considered nonnegotiable
so far as declaration of value is
concerned unless they are endorsed in
blank.                                    No value, or replacement
                                          cost if postal insurance
                                          coverage is desired (see Note
                                          below).

Money.                                   Full value.

Jewelry, gems, precious metals.        Market value or cost.

Merchandise.                           Market value or cost.

Nonvaluables--Matter not having
intrinsic value such as letters,
files, records, etc.                      No value, or replacement
                                          cost if postal insurance
                                          coverage is desired.

Note:  Mailers who do not know replacement costs
should contact a person or firm familiar with such documents and determine
replacement costs before the articles are mailed.

Exhibit 911.252, Registered Mail Declared Values]
EXHIBIT CALLED OUT AFTER 911.261

911.253 Official Mail.
Government agencies or officials must declare the value of the matter
presented so that it may be given proper care (see 911.261).

911.254 Underdeclaration of Value.
If the accepting postal employee believes the mailer has not declared
the full value of an article presented for registration, the postal
employee must take the following actions:

a.
Ask the mailer the nature of the contents of the article.

b.
If, after discussion with the mailer, it appears that the proper value
has been declared on the article, accept it as registered mail.

c.
If it appears that the value of the article has been underdeclared,
explain to the mailer that the full value of the article must be declared
on all registered articles (see 911.252).

d.
If the mailer refuses to declare the article at its full value and pay
the appropriate registration fee, inform the mailer that the article cannot
be accepted as registered mail.

911.255 Merchandise Return.
The customer (not the permit holder) must declare the full value of
articles presented for registered merchandise return service in accordance
with 911.251.

911.26 Mail Registered Without Prepayment

911.261 Official Mail.
Official mail of authorized Government departments and agencies, if
prepared in accordance with the requirements for transmission of mail
without prepayment of postage set forth in 137, may be sent by
registered mail without prepayment of a registration fee.  Official
registered mail paid by stamps or meters must be fully prepaid (see
911.262).

EXHIBIT 911.252

911.262  Merchandise Return.
Matter registered in conjunction with merchandise return service, if
prepared in accordance with the requirements set forth in 919,
may be sent by registered mail without prepayment of postage and fees.

911.263 Other Mail.
Handle other registered mail and official registered mail paid by stamps
or meters as follows:

a.
If found in ordinary mail, handle articles in one of the following ways:

(1)
If unpaid, return the piece to the sender for postage.  Endorse the
piece "Not in the Registered Mail" and "Returned for Postage."

(2)
If only the First-Class rate of postage has been paid, endorse the piece
"Not in the Registered Mail" and deliver it to the addressee as ordinary
First-Class Mail.

(3)
If the amount of postage and fees affixed is sufficient to indicate that
the article was actually intended to be registered, endorse it "Found in
Ordinary Mail."  Complete and send to the sender of the piece a mail
registration receipt and Form 3892.  Rate the item as postage-due and forward
it to the addressee through the registered mail.

b.
If found in the registered mail, handle unpaid or shortpaid items as
registered mail without the collection of postage due.  The unit noting the
irregularity completes Form 3826 endorses the mailpiece "Form 3826 Completed,"
and dispatches the article in the registered mail.  Return the Form 3826 to
the accepting post office for collection of postage.

911.264 Indemnity.
Except for matter registered in conjunction with merchandise return
service, no indemnity is paid for any matter registered without prepayment of
postage and fees.  If a Government department or agency desires indemnity
coverage, both the postage and appropriate registry fee from Column A,
Exhibit 911.21, must be paid in full by stamps or meter stamps.

911.3 Preparation for Mailing

911.31 Conditions

a.
Postal employees are not permitted to assist in the preparation or sealing
of mail to be registered.  The mail must bear the complete names and addresses
of both sender and addressee.  Envelopes and packages which appear to have
been opened and resealed, or which are otherwise improperly prepared, cannot
be registered.  Padded envelopes, and envelopes or mailers manufactured of
spun-bonded olefin, such as Tyvek, plastic envelopes or mailers, or envelopes
or mailers made of paper coated with a glossy surface are not acceptable in
the domestic registered mail service.

b.
Registered mail must bear a red Label 200-A or Label 200-B that contains a
registration number printed in OCR-A readable font.

c.
Large mailers can obtain a supply of Registered Mail Labels 200 in
quantities of 100 (Label 200-A) or 500 (Label 200-B) per roll.  Mailers may be
authorized to privately print Label 200, providing it is printed in red using
the same size and format.  The registration number must begin with the letter
R, followed by nine digits, and must be printed in OCR-A readable font.
Proposed labels must be submitted to the Office of Classification and Rates
Administration, Rates and Classification Department, USPS Headquarters,
Washington, DC 20260-5903, through the local postmaster for approval before
printing.  Upon approval, the Office of Classification and Rates
Administration assigns a block of registration numbers that must be used.

d.
The proper placement of Label 200 is described in 121.44 and
illustrated in Exhibit 121.4. *viewer dmm110.pcx*

911.32 Sealing.
The sender must securely seal envelopes.  Paper or cellulose strips or wax
or paper seals must not be placed over the intersections of flaps of
letter-size envelopes where the postmark impressions are made.  Packages must
be sealed with mucilage or glue or with plain paper or cloth tape. Packages
containing currency or securities may not be sealed exclusively by use of
paper strips, but must first be sealed securely with mucilage or glue.  Large
envelopes (flats) which are completely sealed and which also have paper strips
or paper tape across the intersections of the flaps may be considered
packages, as far as the sealing requirements are concerned.  Tape may not be
used on registered mail if it does not damage the envelope or wrapper when
removed, or if it does not absorb a postmark impression.

911.33 Fragile Items.
The sender must tell the postal employee whether or not the item is of a
fragile nature and, if so, describe the interior packing.  Packages are
refused if not properly packed to withstand normal handling in the mail.

911.34 Packing.
All articles presented for registration must be packed in accordance with
120.  A package may be refused if it is determined that an article
is not packed in a manner that ensures safe transmission in the mail.
Indemnity may be denied if articles are not properly packaged.

911.35 Window Envelopes.
Window envelopes must have panels covering the opening to be eligible for
registry.  If a transparent panel is glued to the envelope, the envelope may
only contain matter without intrinsic value.  If the panel is part of the
envelope, the envelope may be used for all registered mail.

911.36 Firm Registration Books.
If an average of three or more articles is presented for registration at
one time, the sender may obtain free Forms 3877 (firm registration books).
These must be used in accordance with instructions given by the postmaster.
One copy of the bill must be retained by the post office and the other
receipted and returned to the sender.  All entries made in firm registration
books must be made by typewriter, ink, or ballpoint pen.  All unused portions
of the "addressee" column must be obliterated by drawing a diagonal line
through the unused portion.

911.37 Return Receipts and Restricted Delivery.
Firm mailers are expected to complete and attach Form 3811 to the mail and
show the required official endorsement on the address side of the mail (see
911.152 and 911.153).  If the mail is to be restricted in
delivery, it must be marked "Restricted Delivery" on the address side of the
mail.

911.38 Mailing Receipts.
A receipt must be issued when mail is accepted for registration.  If
requested to do so by the sender, the accepting postal employee shows on the
mailing receipt and post office record the time the registered article was
accepted for mailing.  For individual transactions, Form 3806 is issued at the
time of the transaction.  When Forms 3877 (firm registration books) are used,
the permanent descriptive receipt is postmarked, signed, and issued as soon as
possible after entries have been checked against the mail.  A temporary
receipt showing only the total number of articles may be issued when a large
number of articles are mailed.

911.39 Withdrawal or Recall

911.391 Conditions.
The sender may withdraw or recall registered mail without charge before its
delivery, under the following conditions:

a.
By writing on the receipt "Withdrawn before dispatch," and signing and
surrendering the receipt.

b.
By filing a written request for its return after dispatch at the post
office where the article was mailed, giving names and addresses of sender and
addressee, the registry number, and date of mailing.  The sender must pay for
any telegrams or telephone calls.

911.392 Remailing.
If remailed, the article must be under a new cover and bear new postage and
fees.

911.4 Delivery

911.41 Procedure.
The responsibility of the Postal Service for registered mail ends with its
proper delivery (see 150).  Mail for delivery by carriers is taken
on the first trip after it is received, unless the addressee has asked the
postmaster to hold his mail at the post office.  The addressee or a person
representing the addressee may obtain the name and address of the sender, and
may look at registered mail while it is held by the postal employee before
accepting delivery and signing the delivery receipt.  Identification must be
required if the person accepting delivery of registered mail is unknown.  The
mail may not be given to the addressee until the delivery receipt is obtained
by the postal employee.  The signature of the person receiving the article
must appear in the appropriate block on the delivery receipt.

911.42 Notice of Arrival.
If the carrier is unable to deliver registered mail, he must leave a
notice.  If the mail is not delivered by carrier, a notice of arrival must be
issued through regular mail channels.  If the mail is not delivered or called
for within 5 days, a second notice must be issued, provided the maximum period
for which the mail may be held permits.  No second attempt to deliver is made
unless the post office is requested to do so.

911.43 Restricted Delivery.
Restricted delivery may be obtained as set forth in 933 and by the
payment of additional fees as provided in 933.2.  For circumstances
under which restricted delivery may be made by delivery to a person other than
the addressee, see 933.4.

911.44 When Not Delivered.
Postmasters may require customers to call for registered mail at the post
office if delivery by carrier would not be safe.

911.45 Rural Delivery.
For delivery by rural carriers or at nonpersonnel rural units see
156.

911.46 Highway Contract Route Delivery.
Highway contract route carriers deliver registered mail if required by the
contract, but delivery is made only at the customer's box or along the route.

911.47 Bad Condition.
If the addressee accepts a registered article which has been repaired with
sealing stamps or reenclosed in a new envelope or wrapper, the addressee must
open it without disturbing the seal, in the presence of the delivering
employee.  If anything is missing, the envelope or wrapper must be given to
the employee after it has been endorsed to show what was missing.  The postal
employee must not wait while a large sum of money or coins is counted if the
damage is so slight as to indicate nothing is missing.

911.5 Inquiries on Uninsured Articles

911.51 Who May File.
When customers purchase registered mail service, they have the option of
purchasing postal insurance.  If postal insurance is purchased, the procedures
for claims in 149.4 must be followed.  The procedures in
911.52 and 911.53 apply only to uninsured registered mail.
Only the mailer may file an inquiry on uninsured registered mail.  For matter
registered without postal insurance in conjunction with merchandise return
service, only the permit holder may file an inquiry.

911.52  How to File

911.521  Original Inquiry.
The mailer may not file any inquiry until 15 days after the date of
mailing.  An inquiry may be filed at any post office, classified station, or
branch, except for inquiries concerning matter registered in conjunction with
merchandise return service (see 919), which must be filed by the
permit holder at the post office where the permit is held.  Form 565 (May 1984
edition or later) must be used in processing an inquiry for uninsured
registered mail.  An inquiry may be filed in the following manner:

a.
Any mailer filing an inquiry for the alleged loss of registered mail must
provide proof that a loss has actually occurred before a post office can
accept the inquiry.

b.
This proof may be supplied by method 911.521b(1),
911.521b(2), or 911.521b(3) below.  See 911.521c
for registered merchandise return service articles.

(1)
The mailer may obtain Form 565 from any post office.  The mailer must then
complete Form 565 and mail it to the addressee.  Postal employees may not mail
the claim for the mailer, but they may help a mailer complete the form if
requested.  The addressee must complete items 10 and 11 on the claim form and
return it to the mailer.  If the addressee has signed the claim form and
indicated the article was not received 15 days or more after the date of
mailing, the mailer may then take the claim form, along with the original
mailing receipt, to a post office and file an inquiry.

(2)
If the mailer has written and signed documentation (such as a letter dated
at least 15 days after the date of mailing) from the addressee stating the
addressee did not receive the article, the mailer may take this documentation
to a post office, along with the original mailing receipt, and file an
inquiry.  The Postal Service employee must attach this documentation, or a
copy of it, to the inquiry form.

(3)
If the mailer is unable to obtain the cooperation of the addressee in
signing Form 565 for a registered article or, if he prefers, the mailer may
send a check or money order for $6 to the post office of address and request a
copy of the delivery record, provided 15 days or more have elapsed since the
date of mailing.  Any such request for a delivery record must contain the date
the article was mailed, the registered number, and the complete name and
address of the mailer and addressee (see 149.23).  The response to
this search of delivery records ends the inquiry process.

c.
A merchandise return permit holder must ask the customer to complete items
2 through 9 of Form 565, and return it, along with the original mailing
receipt, to the permit holder.  The permit holder must complete items 10 and
11 and submit the completed form, along with the original mailing receipt, to
the post office where the permit is held.  An inquiry may be filed no sooner
than 15 days after the date of mailing.

911.522 Duplicate Inquiry.
A duplicate inquiry may not be filed sooner than 30 days after the original
inquiry.  Complete Form 565, mark it "Duplicate" in the upper right corner,
and process the duplicate the same as the original.

911.53 How to Complete Form 565

911.531 Acceptance.
On Form 565, the accepting postal employee must draw a line through the
word "Indemnity."  Make sure items 2 through 9 are complete and the addressee
has indicated nonreceipt of the article in item 10 and signed item 11, or the
mailer must have signed documentation from the addressee that the article was
not received.

911.532 Accepting Post Office Responsibilities.
The postal employee accepting the inquiry must complete items 12 and 15
from the information on the mailer's receipt.  The employee then forwards Form
565 to the claims and inquiry section, if there is one, or to the employee
designated to handle inquiries.  The claims and inquiry personnel must do the
following:

a.
Verify that the "Declaration of Claimant" and "Postmaster Mailing Office"
sections of the Form 565 have been completed properly, or obtain any missing
information (items 12 and 15 only).

b.
Enter post office and ZIP Code in item 21, sign item 22, and enter the date.

c.
Forward the form to the postmaster at the office of address, marked
"Attention:  Claims and Inquiry Section."  Do not remove any parts of the form.

911.533 Procedures at the Post Office of Address.
Upon receipt of Form 565, personnel at the post office of address must take
the following actions:

a.
Within 5 days, check delivery records to verify whether or not a record of
delivery is on file, and enter the results of the search in item 24 of the
form.

b.
If delivery records indicate delivery, return the Form 565, with all parts
attached, to the mailer.

c.
If there is no record of delivery, note these findings in item 24 of the
form.  Remove Forms 1510-B-1 and Forms 1510-B-2 and send them to the local
postal inspector-in-charge.  Return the Form 565 to the mailer.

d.
If the inquiry indicates a partial loss of contents has occurred, forward
Forms 1510-B-1 and Forms 1510-B-2 to the local postal inspector-in-charge.
Return the Form 565, annotated to show partial loss of contents, to the mailer.

912 Certified Mail

912.1 General

912.11 Description.
Certified mail service provides the sender with a mailing receipt and a
record of delivery at the office of address.  No record is kept at the office
at which certified mail is mailed.  It is dispatched and handled in transit as
ordinary mail.  No insurance coverage is provided.  Return receipt and
restricted delivery service may be obtained as set forth in 932 and
933 upon payment of additional fees as provided in 932.2 and
933.2.  For circumstances under which restricted delivery may be
made by delivery to a person other than the addressee, see 933.4.
Certified mail is marked as shown in Exhibit 912.11. *viewer
dmm905.pcx*


(ARTWORK NOT SHOWN)

DMM905
Exhibit 912.11, Certified Mail]


912.12 Privately Printed Forms 3800.
Mailers may be authorized to use specially designed and privately printed
Forms 3800.  The certified mail endorsement block must be printed in green
using the same size and format. The certified number must begin with the
letter P.  Proposed labels must be submitted through the local postmaster to
the Office of Classification and Rates Administration, USPS Headquarters.

912.13 Placement of Endorsement.
The proper placement of the certified mail endorsement is described in
121.44 and illustrated in Exhibit 121.4. *viewer dmm110.pcx*


912.2 What May be Certified.
Only mailable matter on which postage at the First-Class or Priority rate
has been paid may be accepted as certified mail.  Special delivery services
are available on payment of the prescribed fees.  Special delivery services
may be provided without prepayment of postage and fees on official mail sent
by Federal Government agencies and departments, under the provisions of
137.

912.3  Fees in Addition to Postage.
The fees for certified mail are:



Fee $1.00
Restricted delivery $2.50

Return receipts:
Requested at time of mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered$1.00
Showing to whom (signature), date, and addressee's
address $1.35
Requested after mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered $6.00



912.4 Mailing

912.41 Payment of Fees and Postage.
The fee and postage may be paid by ordinary postage stamps, meter stamps,
or by permit imprints.  The fee and postage on official mail of Federal
Government agencies and departments are collected under the reimbursement
procedures in 137.

912.42 Points to Which Mailable.
Certified mail may be addressed for delivery only

a.
in the United States and its territories and possessions;

b.
through Army, Air Force (APO), and Navy (FPO) post offices; or

c.
through the United Nations, New York, Post Office.

912.43 Where to Mail.
Customers may mail certified mail at a post office, branch, or station, or
give it to a rural carrier.  It may also be deposited in maildrops in post
offices, street letterboxes, nonpersonnel units, or any other receptacles for
First-Class Mail, provided the specific directions in 912.44 are
followed.

912.44 How to Mail.
Obtain blank certified mail coupons, Forms 3800 (no charge), at the post
office or from rural mail carriers.  Also obtain blank return receipt forms if
needed.  Observe the following procedures:

a.
Enter on the receipt portion of the certified mail coupon the name and
complete address of the person or firm to whom the mail is addressed.

b.
If a return receipt is desired, check the block on the mailing receipt to
show the fee and endorse the article on the address side near the certified
mail endorsement "Return Receipt Requested" or "Return Receipt Requested
Showing Address Where Delivered."  The mailer must enter the certified mail
number on the return receipt card, address it to self, and attach it to the
back of small envelopes or on front of packages and large envelopes, if it
does not cover the address.  The name of the person to whom the return receipt
is to be furnished must be the same as that of the sender as shown on the
certified article.  If the mailer desires that the return receipt show the
address where the article was delivered, the mailer must check the block at
the top of the form.  If a return receipt is requested, the sender must show a
complete return address on the mailpiece.

c.
Attach to the envelope sufficient postage stamps to pay for the certified
mail fee, First-Class postage, return receipt fee, or special delivery fee, as
appropriate.

d.
If a postmarked sender's receipt is desired, the sender must attach the
certified mail sticker to the address side of the article and present the
article and the completed coupon to the postal employee.  If asked to do so,
the postal employee shows on the receipt the time the article was accepted for
mailing.  If given to a rural carrier, the carrier returns the postmarked
receipt to the customer.

e.
If a postmarked receipt is not desired, the sender must attach the
"certified mail" sticker to the address side of the article, detach his
receipt, and mail the article.  He must mark his receipt to show the date.

f.
If the sender desires to restrict delivery of certified mail to the
addressee or someone named by him in writing, he must endorse the mail
"Restricted Delivery."  This service is available only for articles addressed
to specific individuals by name.

912.45 Firm Mailing Books.
If three or more letters are mailed at one time, the sender may use Forms
3877 (firm mailing books) which are furnished by the Postal Service without
charge, or privately printed firm mailing bills.  A series of numbers are
furnished to the sender by the local postmaster.  The sheets of the book
become the sender's receipts.  If the sender wants the firm mailing bills
receipted by the Postal Service, he must present the books with the articles
to be mailed at a post office.  He must also obtain, at his expense, a stamp
to endorse the certified letters, or he may have his envelope overprinted with
the endorsement.  The endorsement must be a facsimile of the official
endorsement shown in 912.1.  Following are instructions for the use
of firm mailing bills:

a.
Check the block marked "certified" in the space provided at the top of the
bill.

b.
The mailer must endorse and number the letters.  If return receipt or
special delivery service is requested, mark the letters "Return Receipt
Requested," "Return Receipt Requested Showing Addressee's Address," or
"Special Delivery," as appropriate.  Prepare and attach the return receipt to
the envelopes with the receipt side showing.

c.
Show on the bill the number of each article and the name and address of
addressee.

d.
Enter only the amount of fees paid in the proper columns.

e.
Affix necessary postage to the articles.

f.
The accepting employee must count the items, postmark and receipt the bill
for the total number, indicate time of mailing if requested, and return the
bill to the sender.

g.
A postmarked receipt marked "Bulk Receipt" is issued if the quantity
mailings do not check out, if they are not listed and arranged to permit
issuance of a verified receipt, or if the sender desires only a bulk receipt.

912.5 Delivery

912.51 Procedure.
Certified mail for delivery by carriers must be taken out on the first trip
after it is received, unless the addressee has requested that the postmaster
hold his mail at the post office.  Certified mail not restricted in delivery
is delivered to the addressee or his authorized representative.  Restricted
delivery may be obtained as set forth in 933 and by payment of
additional fees as provided in 933.2.  For circumstances under which
restricted delivery may be made by delivery to a person other than the
addressee, see 933.4.  Delivery rules are the same as for registered
mail (see 911.4).

912.52 Rural Delivery.
For delivery by rural carriers or at personnel and nonpersonnel rural
units, see 156.

912.53 Highway Contract Route Delivery.
Highway contract route carriers deliver certified mail if required by the
contract, but delivery is made only at the customer's box or along the route.

912.54 Delivery Records.
The delivery records must be held for 2 years.  At the end of that period,
the records are destroyed.

912.55 Notice of Arrival.
The carrier must leave a notice of arrival on Form 3849 if he cannot
deliver the certified article for any reason.  The article is brought back to
the post office and held for the addressee.  If the article is not called for
within 5 days, a final notice is issued.  If the article is not called for or
redelivery of the article is not requested, it must be returned after 15 days,
unless the sender specifies a lesser number of days on the mailpiece.

912.56 Delivery at Post Office.
Hold certified mail at a place convenient for the public to call, if
addressed for box or general delivery or for firm callers or if a Form 3849
has been left for addressee to call.  Place Form 3849 in post office box for
box-service customers.  Form 3883 is used where firm or other customers
receive an average of three or more certified letters at one delivery.

912.6 Carrier Controls

912.61 Assignment.
Send certified mail, including that for firms, to a unit or employee
designated to assign it for delivery.  Assign as follows:

a. Individual Pieces.
Use Form 3867 to show the total number of pieces given to each carrier, or
as a chargeout record.  Use symbols on Form 3867 to indicate return receipt or
restricted delivery.  Obtain the signature of the carrier on Form 3867.  If
the mail is endorsed for restricted delivery, prepare a Form 3849 and attach
it to the certified article.

b. Firm Mail.
Prepare Form 3883 in duplicate for addressees who receive an average of
three or more pieces at one time.  Do not include on firm bills articles
restricted in delivery to the addressee.  Handle these as covered in
912.61a.  Use duplicate of firm bill as chargeout and dispose of it
after carrier turns in receipted bill.

c. Specials.
Assign special delivery certified mail separately for special delivery
service, following the rules in 912.61a and 912.61b.

912.62 Clearance.
The clearing clerk must clear carriers and messengers in the following
manner:

a.
Have the carrier or messenger account in bulk for all certified mail and
return receipts charged to them, either by signed receipts or returned
articles.  If any article or return receipt is not accounted for, make an
immediate report to the supervisor.  Endorse the chargeout record when
clearing is complete.

b.
Sign and give back to the carrier or messenger Form 3821 which is prepared
and submitted when accounting for certified articles and return receipts
assigned for delivery.

c.
If certified articles returned undeliverable by a carrier or messenger are
forwarded or returned, show disposition on Form 3867 and prepare a disposition
record on Form 3849, including the name of the addressee.  File the Form 3849
with the delivery receipts.

d.
Examine all return receipts.  Make sure that they are properly signed and
that the date of delivery has been entered.  If the mail was restricted in
delivery, check to see that delivery was not made to an unauthorized agent.
If delivery was improper, have the carrier or messenger obtain the addressee's
signature on another receipt card and destroy the original after the duplicate
has been signed.  Mail the receipts no later than the next workday.

e.
It is the supervisor's responsibility to take prompt corrective action with
the delivering employee if return receipts or delivery receipts have not been
obtained or have been improperly completed.

f.
If the mail is not delivered in 5 days, issue a final notice to the
addressee on Form 3849 marked "FINAL NOTICE."  Send it through regular
channels with the addressee's ordinary mail.

g.

International recorded delivery service mail must be handled according to
clearance procedures for certified mail as described in 912.62a
through 912.62f.  See International Mail Manual 385.

912.63 Delivery to Military Installations.
Certified mail addressed for delivery at military installations within the
continental United States must be delivered to the military installations in
the same manner as numbered insured mail.

912.64 Filing Delivery Receipts.
See 913.72 for instructions on filing delivery receipts.

912.65 Undeliverable.
Handle certified mail which is undeliverable or is to be forwarded in
accordance with 159.3 and 159.4.

912.7 Verified Mailing Receipts

912.71 Individual Mailings.
Verify as follows:

a.
Compare name and address of addressee on the article and on Form 3800.

b.
If sender has checked blocks on Form 3800 for return receipt or restricted
delivery service, make sure the article bears the proper endorsement.

c.
Examine the return receipt card to determine whether appropriate blocks in
instructions to delivering employee have been checked, and that the card is
securely attached.  Make sure address is properly completed by the sender.

d.
Make certain that proper postal charges have been paid by stamps affixed;
endorse mail, if special delivery.

e.
Postmark receipt portion and give to mailer.  Initial, by the entry on the
receipt in ink, the time the article was mailed, if requested to do so by
sender.

f.
Deposit article in mail.  Do not return to the mailer.

912.72 Quantity Mailings.
If the certified mail numbers are listed on firm mailing bills in
consecutive order and the mail is similarly arranged, verify quantity mailings
as follows:

a.
Count the pieces of mail and listings on the bill.  They must agree.

b.
Compare certified mail numbers on first and last articles with the first
and last numbers listed on the bill.  They must agree.

c.
Make a spot-check to determine that mailings are properly prepared and that
postal charges have been fully prepaid.

d.
Postmark receipt and give to mailer.  Enter time articles were mailed, if
requested to do so by the sender, placing your initials by the entry.  Use ink
to enter time and initials in the space for the name of accepting employee.

e.
Deposit articles in mail.  Do not return to mailer.

912.8 Verified Delivery Receipts.
By paying the required fee, mailers may obtain proof of the delivery of
certified articles in either of the following ways:

a.
By requesting a return receipt after mailing (see 932.32), or

b.
By sending a written request to the post office of address for a copy of
the delivery record.  The fee is $6 for each copy requested and must be sent
with the request.

913 Insured Mail

913.1 Description

913.11 Purpose.
Insured mail provides indemnity coverage for an article which is lost,
rifled, or damaged.  No record of insured mail is kept at the office of
mailing.  Return receipt and restricted delivery services are available upon
payment of the prescribed fees (see 932 and 933).  Insured
mail is dispatched and handled in transit as ordinary mail.

913.12 What May be Insured.
The following types of mail may be insured:

a.
Thirdand fourth-class mail.

b.
Thirdor fourth-class matter mailed at the First-Class rate. Sealed
articles must be endorsed "Third-Class Mail Enclosed" or "Fourth-Class Mail
Enclosed," in addition to the First-Class or Priority Mail endorsement.

c.
Official Government mail bearing "Postage and Fees Paid" endorsement.

913.13 What Cannot be Insured.
The following types of mail cannot be insured:

a.
Parcels containing matter offered for sale, addressed to prospective
purchasers who have not ordered or authorized their sending.  If such matter
is received in the mail, payment is not made for loss, rifling, or damage.

b.
Nonmailable matter.

c.
Articles which are so fragile that they cannot be carried safely in the
mail regardless of packaging.

d.
Articles not adequately prepared to withstand normal handling in the mail
(see 121).  As a general rule, any package which is mailable should
be insurable.

e.
Mail not bearing the complete names and addresses of the sender and
addressee.

913.2 Fees and Liability

913.21 Fees in Addition to Postage.
The fees for insured mail are:






LiabilityFee
$0.01  to $50 $0.75
50.01  to  100 1.60
100.01 to  200 2.40
200.01 to  300 3.50
300.01 to  400 4.60
400.01 to  500 5.40
500.01 to  600 6.20

Maximum liability for insured mail is $600.



913.22 Payment of Fees and Postage.
Insurance fees must be prepaid in addition to the postage, except on
official mail sent under the provisions of 137.  The mailer
guarantees to pay return and forwarding postage, unless he writes instructions
on the wrapper or envelope not to forward or return the mail.

913.3 Additional Services

913.31 Restricted Delivery.
Restricted delivery may be obtained for parcels that are insured for more
than $50.  See 913.33 and 933 for the applicable fees and
conditions.  See 933.4 for circumstances under which restricted
delivery may be made by delivery to a person other than the addressee.

913.32 Return Receipt.
Upon payment of the fee specified in 913.33, Form 3811 may be
obtained for parcels insured for more than $50, as provided in 932.2.

913.33 Fees.
In addition to the postage and insured fee that is applicable to the
mailpiece, the following fees must be paid for the corresponding additional
services:



Restricted delivery $2.50
Return receipts:
Requested at time of mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered$1.00
Showing to whom (signature), date, and
addressee's address $1.35
Requested after mailing:
Showing to whom (signature) and date delivered $6.00



913.34 Other Services.
Other additional services that can be requested for insured mail are
special delivery, special handling, parcel airlift, and merchandise return (by
shippers only); see 915, 916, 918, and
919, respectively for more information.

913.4 Mailing

913.41 Where to Mail.
Mailers must mail parcels which they insure at a post office, branch, or
station, or give them to a rural carrier.  They must not be deposited in
maildrops at post offices nor in or on street mailboxes.  They may be placed
in, but not on, rural mailboxes.

913.42 Inquiry as to Contents and Preparation.
The postal employee at the window is required to ask whether the package
presented for insurance contains fragile, perishable, or flammable matter. If
the package does not contain such matter and to all outward appearances is
adequately prepared, no further inquiry as to contents is made.  If the
package contains such matter, detailed inquiry is made to determine whether
contents are admissible in the mail and are adquately packed.

913.43 Individual Receipts for Mailing.
For each insured parcel mailed, the mailer is issued a receipt on one of
the following:

a.
A Form 3813 when the value of insurance is $50 or less.

b.
A Form 3813-P when the value of insurance is more than $50.

Note:  The post office keeps no record of the mailing of insured
packages.  Mailers must enter the name and address of the addressee on the
receipt and retain it.  Mailers must exhibit the receipt if claim for loss is
made.  The receipt must be shown if an inquiry is filed.  A temporary receipt
showing only the total number of parcels accepted may be issued when a large
number of articles are mailed.  The permanent receipt is issued as soon as
possible.

913.44 Firm Mailings

913.441 Firm Mailing Books.
Mailing books, Forms 3877, are furnished without charge to customers who
mail an average of three or more parcels at one time.  Spaces are provided for
entering the description of parcels to be insured.  Any alterations must be
initialed by the mailer and accepting employee.  The sheets of these books
become the sender's receipts.  The books must be presented with the parcels to
be mailed.  Following are instructions for their use:

a.
Parcels to be insured for $50 or less are not to be numbered and should be
listed on separate sheets or grouped together.  Prepare one copy only.

b.
For parcels to be insured for more than $50, the postmaster must assign a
series of numbers.  The mailer must number the articles and the items in the
books to correspond.

c.
The parcels must be conspicuously endorsed with the stamped or printed
official insurance endorsement.

d.
All entries made in firm mailing books must be made by typewriter, ink, or
ballpoint pen.  All unused portions of the "addressee" column must be
obliterated by drawing a diagonal line through the unused portion.

913.442 Special Firm Mailing Bills or Multiple Forms.
Mailers may use special firm mailing bills or multiple forms which
incorporate mailing receipts containing all necessary postal information. Such
forms must be submitted to the postmaster for approval before use.  For
parcels to be insured for more than $50, the postmaster must assign a series
of numbers on Form 3857.  Suffixes are not authorized.  Any alterations must
be initialed by the mailer and accepting employee.

913.45 Mailing on Rural Routes and at Nonpersonnel Rural Units.
Mailers may give the mail to rural carriers or they may leave the mail in
rural mailboxes, provided stamps are affixed for postage and fees, or money
for postage and fees is left in the box.  Mailers must leave a note stating
the amount of insurance desired.  The carrier issues a receipt at the time the
mail is received.  The Postal Service assumes no responsibility for articles
or money left in rural mailboxes until the articles are receipted for by the
carrier.  Customers at nonpersonnel rural units must meet the rural carrier at
the unit for insurance service.

913.46 Endorsement and Postmarking

913.461

a.
Each package insured for $50 or less must be stamped on the address side
with the elliptical stamp shown in Exhibit 913.461a. *viewer
dmm910.pcx*


(ARTWORK NOT SHOWN)


DMM910
Exhibit 913.461a, Elliptical Stamp]


b.
Use Form 3813-P as shown in Exhibit 913.461b *viewer dmm911.pcx*
 on each package insured for more than $50.

(ARTWORK NOT SHOWN)
DMM911
Exhibit 913.461b, Insured Mail]


c.
The proper placement of the insured mail endorsement is described in
121.44 and illustrated in Exhibit 121.4. *viewer dmm110.pcx*
  Each package must be postmarked unless a postage meter stamp is used
to pay charges.

913.462
Mailers may be authorized to use specially designed and privately printed
Forms 3813-P.  The insured mail endorsement block must be printed in blue
using the same size and format as the Postal Service form.  The insured number
must begin with the letter V.  Proposed labels must be submitted for approval
before printing, through the local postmaster to the Office of Classification
and Rates Administration, USPS Headquarters.
913.463
Private insurance endorsements or markings may not appear on the address
side of mail matter but may appear elsewhere, provided they do not resemble
official postal endorsements and are not confused with postal endorsements.

913.5 Delivery

913.51 General Provisions.
Delivery is made in accordance with the following provisions and those in
153.  Parcels insured for over $50 are delivered in accordance with
the regulations for the delivery of registered mail (see 911),
except that when delivery has not been restricted, mail addressed to a person
at a hotel, apartment house, or the like, may be delivered to any person in a
supervisory or clerical capacity to whom the mail is customarily delivered.
The responsibility of the Postal Service ends at that time.

913.52 At Letter Carrier Offices

913.521
Insured mail is held for the period specified in the sender's return
address, but not in excess of 15 consecutive days.  If no return period is
specified, the mail is held for 15 days.  The retention period of 15 days
applies also to offices to which the mail may be forwarded.

913.522
Insured parcels are delivered to the addressee's home or, if he receives
his mail in a post office box or through general delivery, he must be
furnished a notice of the arrival of the parcel.  If the parcel is undelivered
after 5 days, a second notice must be sent.  After receiving the notice, the
addressee may go to the post office and obtain the parcel or he may request
that it be delivered to his home again.  If the addressee does not accept the
parcel when it is offered, the parcel is brought back to the post office for
immediate return to the sender.

913.53 At Offices Not Having Carrier Delivery Service.
The addressee is notified when an insured parcel is on hand for delivery.
The notice is placed in the general delivery or in a post office box.  A
second notice must be issued if the article is undelivered after 5 days.

913.54 Rural Delivery.
Rural carriers must deliver insured mail to the residence if it is not more
than a 1/2 mile from the route and if the road leading to it is passable.
Otherwise, the carrier leaves a notice in the box so that the addressee may
either meet him at the box on his next trip or call at the post office for the
mail.  For delivery by rural carriers or at post offices, stations, branches,
or at nonpersonnel rural units, see 156.

913.55 On Highway Contract Routes.
Highway contract carriers deliver insured parcels if required to do so by
their contract.  Delivery is made only at the customer's box or along the
route.

913.56 Damaged Packages.
Damaged packages refused by the addressee are handled as follows:

a.
When a package is partially damaged, it must be returned immediately to the
sender.

b.
When a package is damaged beyond repair, the sender is informed of the
damage and of the addressee's refusal.  The package is held a reasonable time
awaiting instructions from the sender or a request for payment of postal
insurance.  If neither instructions nor a request for payment of postal
insurance is received, the postmaster at the office of mailing is requested to
determine which disposition of the package is to be made.

913.57 Spoiled Contents.
When the contents of a package are spoiled, the postal employee must write
on the receipt form the date and hour the package was received, the date and
hour it was delivered to the addressee, whether the package was endorsed
"Perishable," and any known cause of delay or improper handling.

913.58 Examination of Mail.
The addressee or his representative may read and copy the name and address
of the mailer from insured mail while it is in the possession of the postal
employee.  Examination of the contents may be made only after delivery has
been made.

913.6 Delivery Receipts

913.61 Unnumbered Packages.
Unnumbered packages are delivered as ordinary mail.

913.62 Numbered Packages.
Postal employees must take signed receipts for the delivery of numbered
packages on the following forms:

a.
Form 3849 when delivery is made by carrier, and window delivery at post
offices with 190 or more revenue units.

b.
Form 3867, Form 3849, for window deliveries made at post offices with 189
or fewer revenue units.

c.
Form 3883 when addressees regularly receive an average of three or more
packages at one time.

d.
If Form 3811 has been requested by the sender, the delivering Postal
Service employee also sees that this form is properly completed by the
addressee.

913.7 Internal Controls

913.71 Firm Mailings.
Accept large mailings of packages from reliable firms as follows:

a.
Count the packages when they are received.

b.
Check your count against the total number of packages listed on the mailing
bill.  The total count of pieces must agree with the total count on the firm
mailing receipt provided by the mailer.  If it does not, the total mailing
must be checked.  If it does, go to 913.71c.

c.
Select a sample at random, as follows:

(1)
If the total count is less than 1,000, select a sample of 30 articles.

(2)
If the total count is more than 1,000 but less than 3,000, select a sample
of 50 pieces.

(3)
If the total count is more than 3,000 but less than 10,000, select a sample
of 80 pieces.

(4)
If the total count is more than 10,000, contact the Office of
Classification and Rates Administration at Headquarters for sample size.

d.
On each article selected for sampling, do the following:

(1)
Find the listing of the article on the firm mailing receipt by matching the
article number with that on the receipt.

(2)
Weigh the article and compute the postage to see that it agrees with the
postage listed on the receipt.

(3)
If the article includes fees for other services, verify their correctness.

e.
If an article number on a sample article cannot be found on the receipt, an
entire new sample, the same size as the original, must be taken.  If the
second sample is correct, accept the mailing and correct the receipt.  If the
second sampling has an error, the entire mailing must be checked, and the
receipt must be corrected.

f.
If the postage and/or fees on a sample article do not agree with the amount
listed on the receipt, an entire new sample, the same size as the original,
must be taken.  If the second sampling is correct, accept the mailing and make
a postage and/or fee adjustment for the incorrect amount. If the second
sampling has an error, the entire mailing must be checked and the receipt must
be corrected.

g.
When a mailing is accepted, postmark each article unless meter postage is
used.

h.
Any postage and/or fees dues must be collected from the mailer.

i.
The postmaster or designee must perform these verifications on all mailings.

913.72 Filing of Delivery Records

913.721 Procedures.
File delivery records as follows:

a.
File receipted Form 3849 in the consolidated file, with those for
registered and certified mail, by the last two digits of the insurance number.
 If quantity accumulated over the filing period is less than 200, use last
digit only for breaking file.  When the number is not entirely legible, file
the receipt alphabetically by the name of the addressee.  File Forms 3883
alphabetically by the name of the addressee or by the date of delivery.

b.
Delivery receipts for numbered insured packages returned to senders must be
filed with delivery receipts covering packages delivered to addressees.

913.722 Optional Filing Procedures.
As an option, offices with a large volume of Forms 3849 should consider
filing these receipts using a three-digit sort.  This greatly speeds search
time and may be done in the following way:  Offices which file delivery
records centrally should request that their stations and branches sort these
forms into 10 separations, by the last digit of the article number, before
sending them to the central filing location.  When these are received at the
central filing location, the forms should then be separated in a 100-hole
case, using the second and third from last article numbers for each of the
original 10 separations made at the station or branch.  The forms should then
be filed by the three-digit sort for future reference.

913.73 Check of Records.
To ensure that delivery employees are obtaining the required delivery and
return receipts and that all receipts are properly handled, offices with
carrier delivery service must:

a.
make a selective check at least quarterly of all delivery and return
receipts.  Use Form 3871 and

b.
keep a record for 1 year showing dates of the selective checks and the
results of the checks.

913.74 Dispatch From Post Offices.
Dispatch insured mail as ordinary mail.  Handle it as ordinary mail while
it is in transit.

913.8 Forwarding and Return

913.81 First-Class Mail.
All insured First-Class Mail is forwarded and returned free of charge.

913.82 Thirdand Fourth-Class Mail.
Any person who insures an article sent at any thirdor fourth-class rate
guarantees the payment of forwarding and return postage charges, unless the
article is specifically endorsed otherwise.

914 Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail

914.1 Description

914.11 Purpose.
Customers may mail an article for which they have not been paid and have
the price and the cost of the postage collected from the recipient.  This is
"collect-on-delivery" or COD service. The recipient has the option of
remitting the amount due either by cash or by check payable to the mailer.
The Postal Service forwards checks to the mailer.  If the recipient pays by
cash, a postal money order is sent to the mailer. The fees for COD service
include insurance against loss, rifling, or damage to the article or failure
to receive a postal money order, or the recipient's check.  Postal liability
for failure to receive the recipient's check or a postal money order is
limited to loss in transit (see 914.69).  Return receipt and
restricted delivery services are available for COD (see 932 and
933).

914.12 What May be Sent COD.
First-, third-, fourth-class, and Express Mail matter may be sent as COD.

914.13 Conditions

914.131  Address.
The mail must bear the complete names and addresses of sender and addressee.

914.132 Maximum Amount.
The amount collected from the addressee cannot exceed $600.

914.133  Fee.
The amount to be collected or the amount of insurance coverage desired,
whichever is higher, determines the COD fee.

914.134 Return Postage.
The sender guarantees to pay any return postage, unless otherwise specified
on the mail.

914.135  Addressee's Request.
The goods shipped must have been ordered by the addressee.

914.14 What May Not be Sent COD.
COD service cannot be used for the following:

a.
Collection agency purposes.

b.
Return of merchandise about which some dissatisfaction has arisen, unless
the new addressee has consented in advance to such return.

c.
Sending only bills or statements of indebtedness, even with the consent of
the addressee.  However, when a legitimate COD shipment consisting of
merchandise is being mailed, the balance due on a past or anticipated
transaction may be included in the charges on a COD article, provided the
addressee has consented in advance to such action.  In such cases, Postal
Service indemnity is limited to the value of the article which is lost or
damaged, not the full COD charges to be collected.

d.
Parcels containing moving-picture films mailed by exhibitors to
moving-picture manufacturers, distributors, or exchanges.  Such parcels may be
sent as insured mail or, if sealed, by registered First-Class Mail.

914.15 Restrictions on COD Service to Military Installations.
COD service is not available for articles having an APO or FPO designation
as part of the address, including official shipments and shipments to Armed
Forces agencies.

914.16 Service With U.S. Possessions and Territories.
There is no COD service to Canton Island.

914.17 Additional Services

914.171 Restricted Delivery.
Delivery may be restricted as explained in 933.  For
circumstances under which restricted delivery may be made by delivery to a
person other than the addressee, see 933.4.  Restricted delivery
service is not available with Express Mail COD service.

914.172  Alteration of COD Charges or Designation of New Addressee.
The sender of a COD package may alter the COD charges or direct delivery to
a new addressee by filing a request with the postmaster at the office of
address and paying the fee listed for the service in 914.21.  The
request must show the following information:

a.
The post office of mailing.

b.
Date of mailing.

c.
COD number.

d.
Name and address of the addressee shown on the tag.

e.
Name and address of the new addressee if applicable.

f.
New COD charges or whether delivery is to be made without collection of COD
charges.

914.173 Notice to Sender.
Senders desiring a notice of undelivered COD mail must request Form 3849-D
by checking the appropriate box on the COD tag.  The request may also be
placed on the address label.  It must appear conspicuously, directly under the
return name and address of the sender, and separate from any other
instructions, as follows:  "Form 3849-D Requested."  A mailer's request may
include directions to send the notice to the mailer or designated
representative.  When the mailer's representative is designated, the
representative's name and local or nearby address must be shown in a bordered
space with instructions, reading:  "Do not deliver to mailer's designated
representative without collecting COD charges," or "Deliver without collecting
COD charges to mailer's designated representative."

914.174 Registered COD Mail.
Sealed domestic mail of any class bearing postage at the First-Class rate
may be sent as registered COD mail.  Such mail is handled in the same manner
as other registered mail.  The maximum amount collectible from the recipient
on an individual parcel is $600.  Indemnity may be purchased up to the
registry limit of $25,000, by payment of the registry fee from Column A,
Exhibit 911.21, corresponding to the value declared.  Payment of a
registry fee from Column B, Exhibit 911.21, does not provide any
indemnity coverage.  The total fees charged for registered COD service include
the appropriate registry fee for the value declared, plus the registered COD
fee (see 914.21).  The mailer must declare the full value of the
article being mailed, regardless of the amount to be collected from the
recipient.

914.175 Express Mail COD.
Any article sent COD may also be sent by Express Mail. Such mail is handled
in the same manner as other Express Mail.  The maximum amount collectible from
the addressee on an individual article is $600, and indemnity for failure to
collect or issue payment is limited to $600.  See 292 through
296 for indemnity for loss, damage, or rifling of Express Mail COD
articles.  Express Mail postage (see Exhibit 210) and the
appropriate COD fees (see 914.2) must be paid.  Both the Express
Mail label and COD tag must be affixed to each article.  Enter the Express
Mail number as the COD number on the COD tag.

914.18 Delays in Remittance.
Mailers are encouraged to report instances in which there has been undue
delay in receiving money orders or recipient's checks in payment for COD
articles.  The mailer should normally receive payment within 45 days of the
day of mailing (75 days for parcels sent by surface ocean transportation).
Report delays in excess of these periods to the local postal
inspector-in-charge, giving the date of mailing, parcel number, address of
delivery, whether payment was by check or money order, date payment was
received, and the number and date of the payment.  Payments not received
within these periods may be considered a loss for purposes of filing a claim
in accordance with 149.

914.2  Fees

914.21 Fees in Addition to Postage.
Collect-on-delivery (COD) fees are:

Exhibit 914.21





Amount to be collected COD
or insurance coverage desired1Fee

$ 0.01 to $ 50 $2.50
 50.01 to 1003.25
100.01 to 2004.00
200.01 to 3004.75
300.01 to 4005.50
400.01 to 5006.50
500.01 to 6007.00

Restricted delivery  2.50
Notice of nondelivery2.10
Alteration of COD charges or designation of
new addressee2.10
Registered COD2.50


1  For Express Mail COD shipments, the fee charged is based on
the amount to be collected.  Express Mail insurance automatically covers up to
$500 merchandise insurance.  If the amount to be collected for an Express Mail
COD shipment is between $500 and $600, the maximum COD fee ($7.00) must be
paid.


914.22 Payment of Fees and Postage.


Example:
$45.63
Cost of Contents
4.03
Postage
$49.66
Subtotal
3.25
COD Fee*
$52.91
Total Amount Due Sender

* In the example cited, the COD fee for articles valued at up to $50
is $2.50.  Since the $2.50 fee raises the amount to be collected to over $50,
the next higher COD fee ($3.25 in this case) must be charged.


914.3 COD Tags

914.31  Conditions.
COD tags are provided at post offices, stations, and branches, and through
rural carriers.  Mailers of less than three articles at a time must complete
Form 3816 and attach it to the address side of the COD article.  Mailers of
three or more articles in one mailing must use Form 3816-AS or forms approved
by the Office of Classification and Rates Administration.

914.32 Approval.
Mailers may be authorized to use specially designed and privately printed
COD tags, if the requirements of 914.33 are met.  Proposed COD tags
must be submitted for approval before printing, through the local postmaster,
to the Office of Classification and Rates Administration, USPS Headquarters.

914.33 Basic Tag Requirements

914.331
Tags must be nearly identical in design to tags provided by the Postal
Service, or may be of multilayer design, if each layer fulfills the function
of a part of the tag provided by the Postal Service.

914.332
Tags must, as a minimum, consist of a delivery office coupon and delivery
employee coupon identical to the coupons of Form 3816-AS provided by the
Postal Service.  A remittance coupon to be returned to the mailer with the
money order may also be included.

914.333
To facilitate filing and retrieval at the delivery office, the delivery
office coupon should be the approximate size of the Postal Service tag
(minimum, 3 by 3 inches; maximum, 4 inches by 3.5 inches high) and have space
for the COD article number at the top of the tag.

914.334
Tags must be conspicuously marked "COD."

914.335
While all the following parts are not required on each COD tag, the tags
must be arranged in order of usage from right to left (top to bottom in
multilayer versions), as follows:  mailer's receipt, mailing office's file
copy, delivery employee's coupon, remittance coupon, delivery office coupon.

914.336
Tags must be on cardstock.  Multilayer forms may be on paperstock, if the
bottom copy is an extra copy (in addition to those listed in
914.335) which is firmly glued to the article.  This is necessary to
reduce the chance of loss resulting from a lightweight tag being torn off.

914.337
The COD tag may incorporate an extra part to serve as an address label.
This may be the bottom layer of a multilayer form or the extreme left section
of a cardstock form.  The address label must be firmly attached to the parcel
by glue or other means.

914.338
To facilitate processing, and if volume warrants, the postmaster may
authorize mailers to type or computer print "mailed at" with the date and
place of mailing in the areas of the COD tag calling for a postmark of the
mailing office.  The date printed on the COD tag must be the same as the date
the article was presented for mailing.

914.34 Nursery Stock Shipments.
Firms mailing nursery stock may print special COD tags bearing instructions
as to disposition of shipments that are not immediately delivered.  These tags
must contain a remittance coupon that is to be returned with the money order
or recipient's check.  The following rules apply:

a.
If the sender does not desire to have the undeliverable parcel disposed of
to the highest bidder, the sender's instructions on the back of the
delivery-office portion of the COD tag (1), and on the remittance
coupon (2), should read as follows:

(1)
If recipient refuses to pay charges for any reason, deliver at once without
collecting the charges.  Notify sender at once if parcel is not delivered and,
if no reply is received in 30 days, destroy parcel.  See remittance coupon for
further instructions.

(2)
Return this coupon with money order.  If parcel is delivered without
collection of charges, or is destroyed after 30 days, check disposition and
send coupon to sender in penalty envelope.


]
]

Delivered to addressee without collecting charges.
Destroyed after 30 days.


b.
If sender desires to have the undeliverable parcel disposed of to the
highest bidder, the sender's instructions on the back of the delivery office
portion of the COD tag (1), and on the remittance coupon (2),
should read as follows:

(1)
If addressee refuses to pay charges for any reason, deliver at once without
collecting the charges.  Notify sender at once if parcel is not delivered and
if no reply is received in 30 days, sell to highest bidder and remit proceeds,
less commission.  If sale cannot be made, destroy parcel. See remittance
coupon for further instructions.

(2)
Return this coupon with money order or addressee's check.  If parcel is
delivered without collection of charges, is destroyed after 30 days, or is
sold, check disposition and send coupon to sender in penalty envelope.


Delivered to addressee without collecting charges.
Destroyed after 30 days.
Sold for $---remittance, less commission, herewith.


914.4 Mailing

914.41 Preparation for Mailing

914.411
COD articles must be identified by a number that the mailer must put on
each section of the COD tag.  The postmaster must assign a series of numbers
using Form 3857.  When Express Mail COD service is used, the Express Mail
number also becomes the COD number, and is entered on each section of the COD
tag.  The postmaster may authorize the mailer to use customer order numbers or
computer-generated numbers when such numbers do not hinder the accepting
office's procedures.  The use of prefixes is discouraged, but not prohibited.
The number must not exceed six digits plus a prefix, if a prefix is used,
unless an authorization to use additional digits is received in writing from
the director, Office of Classification and Rates Administration (for address,
see Address List in Appendices).

914.412
A customer who regularly mails a large volume of COD mail may enter into a
written agreement with the Postal Service which allows the customer to use a
single COD number or some other special numbering on all articles mailed,
provided the customer agrees to file only indemnity claims for damages. Claims
for loss may not be filed.  Requests for agreements must be sent to the local
postmaster, who forwards them for review to the Director, Office of
Classification and Rates Administration, USPS Headquarters.  Mailings may not
be made using a single number or special numbering without prior written
approval of the Director.  Local post offices are not authorized to enter into
agreements of this type.  Agreements cannot be authorized for mail sent by
Express Mail COD service.

914.413
The sender must securely affix a COD tag to each COD article.  The tag must
show article number, names and addresses of sender and recipient, amount due
sender, and amount of money order fee necessary to make remittance.  Delivery
employees must not collect the money order fee if the recipient pays by check
made payable to the mailer.  The post office furnishes stock tags without
charge.  There are two types of tags: eyeletted for tying to parcels and
uneyeletted for attaching by gummed tape.  Specially printed COD tags approved
by the Postal Service may also be used.  (See 914.32.)  The
eyeletted tag, Form 3816 is composed of delivery office coupon, delivering
employee's coupon, mailing office record, and the mailer's receipt, and is
intended for use by customers mailing fewer than three articles at one time.

914.414
The particulars required on the tag must be filled in by the sender with
ink, ballpoint pen, typewriter, or computer printer.  The Postal Service is
not responsible for errors made by senders in stating charges to be collected.

914.415
The name and address of the person to whom the remittance is to be sent
must appear in the proper spaces on the address side of the delivery office
coupon and in the return address area on the COD article itself, along with
the postal endorsements for return if undeliverable.  The return address
appearing on the COD tag must be identical to the return address appearing on
the COD article.  Exception: Mailers who use a privately printed COD tag (see
914.32) that includes a remittance coupon may print a different
address on the remittance coupon where payments are to be sent.  The mailer's
address where undeliverable articles are to be returned must appear on the
other parts of the COD tag.  Only domestic addresses may be used.

914.416
Mailers of three or more parcels per mailing must present a list (in
duplicate) of parcels to be mailed at the time of mailing.  The mailer may use
Form 3877 which is provided to customers without charge; or, when authorized
by the postmaster, the sender may prepare typewritten or computer-prepared
lists which provide the equivalent data as the Form 3877.  All entries made in
firm mailing books must be made by typewriter, ink, or ballpoint pen.  All
unused portions of the "addressee" column must be obliterated by drawing a
diagonal line through the unused portion.

914.417
Mailers of fewer than three parcels per mailing may obtain receipts on the
sender's receipt portion of the COD tag.  The post office must acknowledge
receipt by postmarking the sender's receipt.

914.418
In addition to the COD tag, COD parcels must bear an address label,
complete with the names and addresses of the sender and the addressee. Where
the COD endorsement has not been made part of the address label, the
endorsement showing the amount due the payee and the money order fee necessary
to make the remittance should be boldly indicated by rubber stamp or other
means on the front surface of the parcel near the address label. (COD
endorsements must also appear on the COD tag.)  The address label may be
printed as an additional part of the COD label, in accordance with
914.337.  The address label must identify the parcel as a COD parcel
and must be firmly attached by glue or other means.

914.42 Where to Mail

914.421
COD parcels must be mailed at a post office, branch, or station, through a
rural carrier, or at a nonpersonnel rural unit.  They may not be placed in
maildrops at post offices, nor in or on street mailboxes.  They may be placed
in, but not on, rural mailboxes.

914.422
COD articles may be given to rural carriers for mailing.  The articles must
be properly prepared and stamps for the required postage and fees affixed.
Customers may also give cash for the required postage and fees to the rural
carrier.  If the mailer desires insurance coverage for an amount greater than
the COD amount to be collected, the amount of insurance desired must be
indicated.  The carrier issues the mailer a temporary receipt for the
articles, by number, and any cash received, using Form 1096  The mailer's
receipt portion of Form 3816 is returned to the mailer, usually on the next
delivery day, after the postage and fees have been verified.  The Postal
Service assumes no responsibility for articles or money left in rural
mailboxes until a receipt is issued by the carrier.  Customers at nonpersonnel
rural units must meet the rural carrier at the unit for COD service.

914.43 Acceptance

914.431 Individual Receipts for Mailing.
A receipt is issued for each COD parcel mailed on one of the following
forms:

a.
Mailer's receipt coupon of COD tag, Form 3816, or specially printed COD tag.

b.
Form 3877 or specially printed firm mailing bills.

c.
Recapitulation sheets or receipt portions of multiple forms specially
printed by the mailers.

914.432 Temporary Receipts.
The postmaster may issue a temporary receipt on Form 3824 when the number
of articles presented at one time for COD warrants it.  The permanent receipt
is issued as soon as possible.

914.433 For Three or Fewer Parcels.
Mailers of three or fewer parcels at a time are provided a receipt by
postmarking the sender's receipt portion of the COD tag.

914.434 Large COD Mailing.
With the exception of Express Mail COD service articles where each article
is individually verified, the following procedure for acceptance of large COD
mailings must be followed for companies that regularly maintain a high degree
of accuracy in preparing the mailing bill:

a.
Count the packages when they are received.

b.
Check the count against the total number of packages listed on the firm
mailing receipt.  The total count of pieces must agree with the total count on
the firm mailing receipt provided by the mailer.  If it does not, the total
mailing must be checked.  If it does, proceed to 914.434c.

c.
Select a sample at random, as follows:

(1)
If the total count is less than 1,000, select a sample of 30 articles.

(2)
If the total count is more than 1,000 but less than 3,000, select a sample
of 50 pieces.

(3)
If the total count is more than 3,000 but less than 10,000, select a sample
of 80 pieces.

(4)
If the total count is more than 10,000, contact the Office of
Classification and Rates Administration at Headquarters for sample size.

d.
On each article selected for sampling, do the following:

(1)
Find the listing of the article on the firm mailing receipt by matching the
article number with that on the receipt.

(2)
Weigh the article and compute the postage to see that it agrees with the
postage listed on the receipt.

(3)
Check the amount due sender on the sample article with the amount due
sender on the receipt.  If the amount due sender on any sample article does
not agree with the amount due sender on the receipt, the entire mailing must
be checked.

(4)
If the article includes fees for other services, verify their correctness.

e.
If an article number on a sample article cannot be found on the receipt, an
entire new sample, the same size as the original, must be taken.  If the
second sample is correct, accept the mailing and correct the receipt.  If the
second sampling has an error, the entire mailing must be checked and the
receipt must be corrected.

f.
If the postage and/or fees on a sample article do not agree with the amount
listed on the receipt, an entire new sample, the same size as the original,
must be taken.  If the second sampling is correct, accept the mailing and make
a postage and/or fee adjustment for the incorrect amount. If the second
sampling has an error, the entire mailing must be checked and the receipt must
be corrected.

g.
Any postage and/or fees due must be collected from the mailer.

h.
The postmaster or designee must perform these verifications on all mailings.

i.
Return any subsequent mailings which fail both the first and second
samplings to the mailer for correction.

914.435 Postmarking

a.
Postmark the postage when stamps are used.  Postmark the COD tag in the
appropriate spaces.

b.
Volume mailers may be authorized by the postmasters to type or computer
print the place and date of mailing on the COD tags.  If this is authorized,
only the sender's receipt coupon, if one is used, and postage stamps
ordinarily require postmarking by the accepting office.  Periodically
spot-check to determine whether the tags bear the proper date and place of
mailing.  If the mailer has printed the improper date or place of mailing, the
tag must be postmarked.  Instances of improper dating and place of mailing
must be brought to the attention of the Rates and Classification Center.

914.436 Registered COD Articles.
Registered COD articles are handled in accordance with 914.8.

