FAQ - Outgoing Mail

What is the Cheapest Domestic Parcel Rate?

FedEx is generally the least expensive method for sending a parcel over 4 lbs within the US. FedEx standard domestic ground service provides:

  • 6 business days to the East Coast

  • Next day delivery for most of Northern California (including the Reno area)

  • FedEx also provides next day, 2nd day and 3 day service within the U.S.

Call the Outgoing Mail Work Leader 3-MAIL for more information. You can also visit the UPS website by clicking here.

What is the Most Secure Way to Send Letters and Documents?

Registered Mail is still the most secure way to send an important document or an item with an intrinsic value (i.e. a monetary value that can be reimbursed). Your item is kept under lock and key and must be signed for at every stop.

Please Note: Registered Mail is slower than regular First Class. Your cost is calculated by the value of the item being sent. You spend $4.85 for the first $100 in value. Your cost per $100 is added to regular First Class Postage. You pay an additional fee ($1.10) if you would like a return receipt. Registered Mail may be used to send items domestically and overseas.

How do I Send Items Overseas?

Choose a rate:

AirMail:

4-8 day service, packages must be less than 4 lbs. The rate is 60 cents per half ounce for packages up to 2 lbs. Packages weighing 2-4 lbs ship for 40 cents per half ounce.

Parcel Post:

2 weeks deliver time (Air) up to 2 months (surface delivery). The weight limit for most countries is 44 lbs. The cost of Air delivery is usually twice the surface rate. Be sure to write on the package what the contents are and whether you are choosing Air or Surface delivery.

Book Rate:

This option also has an Air or Surface option. The weight limit is 11 lbs per package. Average delivery time for Air is 2 weeks, Surface delivery average 2 months. Rates are determined by International Zones.

What is the Fastest Delivery Time for an Item?

2 possibilities exist to get an item Domestic Overnight/International 2-3 days:

  • US Express Mail

  • FedEx

(A Word of Caution: FedEx delivers overnight but not to P.O. Boxes.) When sending FedEx to Hawaii or Alaska you must use next day or 2nd day Air.

How do I Use Express Services?

FedEx: .In addition to normal outgoing mail addressing standards and a barcode label, write "FedEx" and the service you wish to use eg: ground, next day, two days, etc... in red on the outside of your mail piece. (Notes stuck to the piece explaining how you want it to go, often become detached in transit; we really prefer the piece to be marked)

Services other than FedEx: In addition to normal outgoing mail addressing standards and a barcode label, write "Express Mail" in red on the outside of your mail piece. (Notes stuck to the piece explaining how you want it to go, often become detached in transit; we really prefer the piece to be marked).

What's the postage for my mail piece?

Use the Rate Calculator from the USPS website to calculate the amount of postage for your mail piece.