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Outgoing Accountable and International Mail

USPS Mail Delivery Delays

As we continue to experience delays with the delivery of First-Class mail and it remains unclear as to the overall impact to the campus community due to the USPS adjustment of service standards, below are some suggestions to ensure deliver or receipt of First-Class mail:

  • Send items via Priority Mail, which ensures delivery within 1 to 2 business days.
  • Add a tracking number to your first-class mail and track the delivery of your item.
  • Sent item via Certified Mail, which captures signature of recipient.

For first-class mail sent to you or your areas, consider asking the sender to use one of the following methods:

  • Send items via Priority Mail, which ensures delivery within 1 to 2 business days.
  • Add a tracking number to the first-class mail and track the delivery of the item.
  • Sent item via Certified Mail, which captures signature of recipient.

For additional information, contact us at deliveryservices@uh.edu

A. Registered Mail

The most secure option offered by the U.S. Postal Service is registered mail. The service is designed to provide added protection for valuable and important mail. Postal insurance may be purchased at the option of the mailer, up to maximum of $25,000. Return receipt* and restricted delivery services (deliver only to a specific individual) are available for additional fees. Registered articles are controlled from the point of mailing to delivery. First Class postage is required on all registered mail. Please write on your department mailing card that you wish a mail piece to be registered and, if you wish to insure the item, how much insurance you want. Registered mail cannot be sealed or secured with scotch, masking, or any type of cellulose tape. USE BROWN PAPER TAPE ONLY. (this can be obtained from UH Postal Service)

B. Insured Mail

Insurance is available for up to $5000 value for Standard mail. Standard matter mailed at First Class rate must be endorsed "Standard Matter Enclosed" in addition to the First Class or Priority Mail endorsement. For articles insured for more than $50, a receipt of delivery is signed by the recipient and filed at the delivery post office. Do not over-insure your packages. The amount of insurance coverage for loss will be actual value, less depreciation, and no payments are made for sentimental losses or for any expenses incurred as a result of the loss. You may obtain a return receipt* and request restricted delivery for additional fees. Please write on your department mailing card that you wish to have the mail piece insured and the amount of insurance desired.

* Return receipts must be completed by the department and accompany the mail piece. The return receipts (green cards for domestic, pink cards for international) are available from UH Postal Services upon request.

C. Certified Mail

Certified mail is first class material for which the sender wants written evidence of its delivery. Please write on your department mailing card that you wish the mail piece(s) to be certified. Return receipt and restricted delivery is available for additional fees. Certified mail does not provide insurance. Foreign mail cannot be certified; it must be sent as registered mail.

D. Return Receipts

Return Receipts furnish the mailer with evidence of delivery. The fee paid for a return receipt does not insure the article against loss or damage. It is available on mail sent COD or Priority Mail Express or when mail is insured for more than $50, or it is registered or certified. The return receipt shows who signed for the item and the date it was delivered.

E. Certificate of Mailing

A certificate of mailing proves an item was mailed. It does not provide insurance coverage for loss or damage. U.S.P.S. will provide a certificate of mailing receipt for a fee, but no other record is maintained at the U.S. Post Office.

F. International Mail

There are five principal categories of international mail that are primarily differentiated from one another by speed of service. They are Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service, Priority Mail Express International service, Priority Mail International service, First-Class Mail International service, and First-Class Package International Service.

Global Express Guaranteed

Global Express Guaranteed is the U.S. Postal Service’s premium international mail service. Global Express Guaranteed is an expedited delivery service that is the product of a business alliance between the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx Corporation. It provides reliable, high–speed, time–definite service from designated U.S. ZIP Code areas to locations in most destination countries. Global Express Guaranteed is assured to meet destination–specific delivery standards or the postage will be refunded. If a shipment is lost or damaged, liability for loss or damaged merchandise or for document reconstruction is limited to a maximum of $100 or the amount of additional optional insurance purchased. The maximum weight limit for Global Express Guaranteed service is 70 pounds, but lower country-specific weight limits might apply. To determine the maximum weight limit for each country, contact Copy, Print and Delivery Services at 713.743.5840 or DeliveryServices@uh.edu.

Priority Mail Express International

The next level of service, in terms of speed and value-added features, is Priority Mail Express International. Priority Mail Express International is an expedited mail service that can be used to send documents and merchandise to most of the country locations.. Priority Mail Express International insurance coverage against loss, damage, or missing contents, up to a maximum of $200, is provided at no additional charge. Additional merchandise insurance coverage up to $5,000 may be purchased at the sender’s option to many countries. Document reconstruction insurance coverage is limited to a maximum of $100 per shipment. Country-specific maximum weight limits range from 22 pounds to 70 pounds. Priority Mail Express International shipments offer a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee to select destinations: call UH Postal Services to determine the availability of such service. For all other destinations, Priority Mail Express International shipments are not subject to a postage refund guarantee if a delivery delay occurs.

Priority Mail International

This classification is primarily designed to accommodate larger and heavier shipments whose size and/or weight exceeds the limits for First-Class Mail International Service or First-Class Package International Service. For countries that offer parcel service, maximum weight limits range from 22 pounds to 70 pounds. To determine the maximum weight limit for each country, call UH Postal Services at 713-743-5840. At the sender’s option, extra services, such as insurance coverage and return receipt service, may be added on a country-specific basis.

Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes provide customers with an economical means of sending correspondence, documents, printed matter, and lightweight merchandise items to foreign destinations. The maximum weight limit is 4 pounds. Registered Mail service is available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. Insurance is not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.

First-Class Mail International

First-Class Mail International is a generic term for mailpieces that are letter-size or flat-size, that weigh 4 pounds or less, and that have a value that is $400 or less. First-Class Mail International items may contain any letter-size or flat-size mailable matter that is not prohibited by the destination country. Aerogrammes are no longer available for purchase. Previously purchased aerogrammes are mailable at the applicable First-Class Mail International letter-size price. At the sender’s option, extra services, such as Registered Mail and return receipt, may be added on a country-specific basis

First-Class Package International Service

First-Class Package International Service is a generic term for mailpieces that are package-size (small packets), that weigh 4 pounds or less, and that have a value of $400 or less. First-Class Package International Service items may contain any package-size item (small packet) that is not prohibited by the destination country. At the sender’s option, extra services, such as registry and return receipt, may be added on a country-specific basis.

EXAMPLES FOR CORRECTLY ADDRESSING INTERNATIONAL MAIL:

Mr. Thomas Clark
117 Russell Drive
LONDON WIP 6HQ
GREAT BRITAIN
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY and/or COUNTY + Postal Code
COUNTRY
Ms CRISTINA CRUZ
Apartado 3068
46807 PUERTO VALLARTA JALISCO
MEXICO
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY and STATE + Postal Code
COUNTRY
Mr. John Doe
117 Russell Drive
Victoria BC V8W 3N6
CANADA
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY and PROVINCE + Postal Code
COUNTRY
  • Weight limit for letters and letter packages is 4 pounds or less.
  • Weight limit for parcels is 22 – 70 pounds (varies by country).
  • International Mail can be Registered not Certified.

Customs forms are required on all international mail weighing 16 ounces or more. The small green form (PS Form 2976) is used for items valued at $400 or less. The large white form (PS Form 2976-A) is used for items valued at more than $400 and all parcels. Both forms are available through UH Postal Services.

For further information, contact Delivery Services at 713.743.5840 or DeliveryServices@uh.edu.