Using the right zip code is very important if you want an accurate and timely delivery. By putting the right zip code, the post office system will be able to recognize the recipient and deliver the postage within the given period of time. There are many websites where you can obtain the correct zip code, including the correct spelling of cities and states. If you don’t have any internet access then you can always call the USPS toll free numbers 1-800-ASK-USPS to get the right zip code or any information regarding your mail. Another option is to use the zip code maps; this can also help you in finding the appropriate zip code.

USPS Zip Code Finder

Did you know that there are around 42,000 zip codes assigned to various parts of the United States? Getting the right one will take you hours if you don’t have the right zip code locator. By going to the USPS website you will be assured that you can find an authentic USPS zip code. This is the foremost option in finding the right zip code by going to the website’s section “USPS Zip Codes Lookup System”. This specifically designed system can easily locate each and every zip code. All you have to do is to encode the name of your desired state and viola! The system will show the right zip code which is assigned to a specific city and state.

Company’s Strength

Time-definite delivery of packages and documents is what UPS is all about. The company has been extending their services for the past years and included less than truckload transportation and supply chain services. The company’s operations are divided into three segments: Supply Chain and Freight Operations, International Package operations and U.S. Domestic Package operations.

The domestic package operations include the on-time delivery of documents, letters, and packages around United States. The International Package operations on the other hand is responsible of on-time delivery to more than 200 countries and territories around the globe, including shipments outside the U.S. and shipments with either origin or distribution outside of the U.S. The Supply Chain and Freight services include the company’s forwarding and contract logistics operations, UPS Freight and other related business units. Providing services in more than 175 countries and territories worldwide, the UPS forwarding and logistics business is one of the company’s strength. This service includes worldwide supply chain design, execution and management, freight forwarding and distribution, customs brokerage, mail and consulting services. UPS is known for offering freight services that comes in variety of less than truckload (“LTL”) and truckload (“TL”) services for North American customers. Mail Boxes Etc. and UPS Capital are the two business units under this segment.

Company’s History

The company’s humble beginning started in 1907 when there was a great need for private messenger and delivery services. A teenager by the name of James E. Casey or better known as Jim saw this need as a business opportunity and started his own American Messenger Company in Seattle, Washington. The newly formed company focuses on package delivery for retail stores and began using motorcycles to keep up with competition. For about two years, the company was servicing the United States Post Office by helping them deliver all special delivery mail entering Seattle. For the next years the company made significant changes including the use of consolidated delivery and by partnering to its competitor. The merge brought tremendous success to the company which made them score their biggest customer, three of Seattle’s largest department stores.

By the year 1919 the company expanded its business outside Seattle and changed its name to United Parcel Service. UPS was one of the few companies in the country that offers common carrier service at the time. The decision to continue with its common carrier service even with an acquisition has somehow influenced the growth of UPS for years to come. The development of the first conveyor belt system for handling packages is one of UPS technological innovations that made a difference in the Postal industry.

Becoming a leader in global supply chain management is not easy and it requires the full commitment of the company. Presently, UPS is upholding its global distribution and logistics, and managing not only the movement of goods but also the information and funds that go with those goods. The company is also doing its share in environment by using electric vehicles and by developing water conservation techniques. Gaining wider access to various markets is the key for the company’s success, and more acquisition is the way to do it.

UPS Common Carrier

The expansion of the company’s services started when they acquired the “common carrier” rights to deliver packages between all customers, both private and commercial. This company move placed UPS in direct competition with USPS and in direct opposition to the regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). In 1952 UPS decided to extend their services in cities where they could use their common carrier operations without the authority of state commerce commissions and ICC. Chicago is the first city outside California where they offered the common service carrier.

UPS Airline

Although the company is working for better access to ground routes, another part of the company is establishing the UPS access to the air. The year 1929 made UPS the first package delivery company to provide air service via privately operated airlines. But because of the Great Depression the service ends in the same year. The company’s air operations resumed in 1953 and started offering two-day service to major cities both in east and west coasts. By 1978, the UPS Blue Label Air was available in every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.

The increasing demand for air parcel delivery made UPS one of the most in demand Delivery Company in the country. Due to federal deregulation of the airline industry, UPS began to assemble its own jet cargo fleet. The company also included the overnight air delivery business and Next Day Air service which was available in all 48 states including Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii. 1985 is the year where UPS entered a new era with international air package and document service. This new service links the U.S. and six European countries and by 1988 UPS received its authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate its own aircraft. Officially becoming an airline, UPS managed to merge a number of cultures and procedures to create a seamless operation called UPS airline.

Known as the fastest-growing airline in FAA history, the UPS airline was formed in more than a year with all the necessary support systems and current technology. Today, the airline managed to stay on top of its game as one of the 10 largest airlines in the United States. This airline features some of the most highly-advanced information system and airline technology including the Computerized Operations Monitoring, Planning and Scheduling System (COMPASS), a state of the art system that provides information for flight planning, load handling and scheduling. This system is very unique for it can plan optimum flight schedules for up to six years in advance.

What is a postal scale? A postal scale is an efficient way to reduce overpayment on outgoing mail and it helps in processing large volumes of mail with no sweat at all. When it comes to large volumes of mail a postal scale should be directly integrated into the rest of the business’ postage system which includes postage meter, sealer, feeder, and the like. A standalone scales are the most affordable way to improve the mailing efficiency of small to medium-sized companies and choosing the right one is sometimes a little tricky. So make sure to ask around first before making a decision. The best thing is to ask someone who uses the scale regularly so they can recommend the best scale for your mailing needs. Convenience is the advantage here, having a postal scale can help increase the mailing efficiency and it can help a typical business to save up to 15% on postage.

Types of Postage Scale

There are three types of postage scale, the manual, digital and spring versions. The manual postage scale uses a balance or spring to weigh envelopes and it requires users to read the weight from a mechanical needle. Because of this the scale is prone to human error and you have to check a reference table of current postage prices before giving out the actual price. The digital scale on the other hand uses a pressure sensing microprocessor that provides unambiguous digital readout. The scale is programmed with rate information and it displays the exact price once the item is weighed. Also .known as the electronic postage scale, the digital scale must be adjusted each time postal rates change. The spring version may not offer the convenience of the digital scale but it offers cheap and functional solution for low-volume mailers.

Postal Meter

A postage meter is the one responsible of printing postage based on the rates and regulations of the USPS. Postal meter will save you the time and the hassle of going to the post office and it means postage is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By using postal meter a business can save up to 20% of its year in postage and overstamping is no longer a problem.

Postage Certification

This is a system that certifies correctly accounted postage payment. It includes an input for entering transactional mail run data and a data processor that is included to the input. Certain parameters for the documents are determine by this system and once the document is certified is it fed along a document feed path. Located under the control of the data processor, the printer places a certification imprint after all necessary accounting is done upon the documents.

Postage Scale and Meter Manufacturers

Pitney Bowes Ltd
Known for its innovation and strategic acquisition, Pitney Bowes is once known as the postage meter company. Today the company has expanded its business in helping their customers create, produce, distribute and manage their mail, packages and documents. The company offers a wide array of postage scales and meters that suit to all mailing needs. Prices are according to its model.
Totalpost Services Plc
The company manufactures state of the art postage scales that interface to all makers of postage meter. All products are ISO accredited and the company is a Royal Mail authorised supplier and maintainer of frankers and supplies. All postage meters are available in affordable prince and quality. Princes may also vary.

The Five-Day Delivery Plan works effectively as it delivers to street addresses within five days and 6 days of service at P.O boxes and Post Offices. There are some few delivery changes associated with new plan and that includes no regular Saturday mail delivery to street addresses, Monday through Fridays are the new schedule for street addresses priority mail, no scheduled mail collection from blue collection boxes or retail offices on Saturday, mails collected on retail counters will be processed on Mondays and street-addressed local firm holdout mail pickup are scheduled on Monday through Friday.

Delivery Confirmation

Known as the most efficient and cost-effective means of obtaining delivery information, the delivery confirmation service is the newest USPS feature that will take the postal services to the next level. The delivery confirmation is proven to be helpful for business owners who regularly use the postal service as it tracks down any packages and keep records of their delivery.

It consists of two options; the electronic service and the retail service. By using both options, mailers will receive important information such as the delivery status of Priority Mail service or package services which includes the zip code of delivery, date, time, and forwarding and return address. All mentioned information is accessible through internet or by using the electronic file transfer. There other services that can be included with delivery confirmation and that includes registered mail, insured mail, special handling and collect on delivery ( COD).

This tracking system allows you to choose from its two options, the email all activity to-date or email all future activity. The email all activity to-date is an option that provides a single email to each recipient containing the delivery status information. The email all future activity is another option that generates email any time that company receives a delivery or delivery related event. These delivery related events include refused, attempted, returned to sender, or forwarded mails.

USPS Bar Code

This 65-bar code is what the USPS had been using as a tracking system. The Intelligent Mail barcode is a USPS service offered for domestic mail delivery. This tracking system is here to provide functionality and efficient information than its predecessors POSTNET and PLANET. Also known as One Code Solution and $-State Customer Barcode (4CB, 4-CB or USPS4CB), this code effectively incorporated the routing ZIP code and mail tracking information which was included in previously used postal barcode standards.

This Intelligent Mail was introduced by the US Postal Services in 2003 and was used by the fall of 2009 for mailers to receive maximum USPS automation discount. This new system features an improved deliverability, new services and increased overall mail efficiency. The code contains four distinct symbols hence the name 4-State Customer Barcode that encodes up to 31 decimal digits of mail-piece data into 65 vertical bars which is shown through a window envelope.

There are several options on how you can change your Post Office Address, but the easiest thing to do is to do it online. You can fill out the online form in just 2 minutes. This online processing is fast, secure and safe that anyone can definitely do it. Also, don’t forget to notify the important people you receive mail from of your new address for less hassle and on time delivery.

Change of Address Form

This form is pretty self-explanatory for it contains basic information about the person’s name, old address and the new address and whether the move is temporary or permanent. Also, it asks the date you want the post office to stop delivering to your old address and starting forwarding the mails on your new address. You also have the choice to instruct the post office to stop forwarding your mail by indicating a specific date or to resume the delivery toy our old address.

The form also contains if the request is for a “family” or an “individual” change of address. This is because the post office doesn’t have the record of everyone’s last name within your family. The “family” request means that the postal service is going by last name and by checking the family box all mails with the same last name will have their mails forwarded to a new address. The “individual” request on the other hand is filed by a person who has a different last name, or it can filed by people who has the same last name but living in a different location.

This type of shipping option is known as the fastest and time-sensitive service of USPS. It takes care anything from your letters, important documents and merchandise. Express mail guarantees a timely overnight delivery to any location. This service is available in 365 days a year including Sundays and holidays plus it comes with money back guarantee. This amazing delivery service features free tracking information, signature proof of delivery upon request and the only overnight delivery that caters for mailboxes and P.O boxes. It also comes with insurance that is up to $100 and 5% off when you purchase the service using PC Postage, Express Mail Corporate Account and Click-N-Ship®.

Express mail envelope has a flat rate of $18.30 and it comes with one price regardless of weight or distance. The envelope size is 12-1/2” x 9-1/2”. Acceptable weight is up to 70 pounds, and not more than 180 inches. An additional $12.50 rate for Sunday and holiday deliveries and it comes with commercial plus prices to qualify large volume customers.

Priority Mail

If you want a simpler way to ship your package or mail then the best option to take is the priority mail. No more playing the guessing game for this service offers the Priority Mail ® Flat Rates. This shipping option features an awesome way to ship anything that fits within the box or envelope for a cheap rate. Priority mail has a maximum 2-3 days delivery time, but in most cases delivery time mostly comes in 2 days. This service also comes with commercial base prices available for shipping with PC postage, Permit Imprint and Click-N-Ship®. Other feature includes delivery confirmation, insurance, and signature confirmation.

Now you can enjoy the flat rate with no weighing or calculating the shipping price and it is available in Zone-based pricing that starts at $4.90. Flat rate envelope is $4.90 in 12-1/2” x 9-1/2”. Small flat rate box is $4.95 while the large flat rate box for domestic addresses is $14.50 and APO/FPO destinations is $12.50. Balloon prices applies in Zones 1-4, for packages that weighs less than 20 pounds and measures more than 84 inches. Dimensional weight also applies when using priority mail in Zones 5-8 for parcels that exceeds one cubic foot capacity. All priority mail packages should weigh less than 70 pounds and contents must be reasonably fit either in the box or envelope.

First-Class Mail

First-class mail caters anything from postcards, large envelopes, letters, and small packages. First-class mail, including express mail and priority mail are ideal services for sending correspondence, bills or statement accounts and handwritten or typewritten letters. First-class mail can also be used as a form of advertisement and lightweight merchandise. Depending on shape and weight, a first-class mail price varies and it can only accommodate packages for less than 13 ounces.

First class mail also includes some extra services including certificate of mailing that provides evidence of mailing, certified mail that provides mailing receipt and online access to delivery information, and collect on delivery, this allows postage and price of an item to be collected from the recipient collected by USPS and given to the mailer. Every first-class mail is insured against loss and damage, and it is under the Registered Mail™. Confirmation of delivery is also included, this type of feature provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery, plus it comes with Signature Confirmation™ that requires a signature of the person who signed for the item.

Parcel Post

This reliable service is the choice of many Americans because of its affordability. It caters small and large packages; including thick enveloped and tubes containing gifts and merchandise. Parcel post also delivers in P.O boxes and military addresses, and Saturday delivery is with no extra cost. Packages that weigh up to 70 pounds and measures up to 130 inches can be shipped using the parcel post services. Shipment cost is based on its weight, shape and distance. Surcharges only apply for some items including packages that weigh more than 35 pounds and some certain shapes like tubes and rolls.

Other services include certificate of mailing and insurance against loss or damage for merchandise and gifts. Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, return receipt and return receipt for merchandise are just one of the few perks of parcel post. Another unique feature of parcel post is restricted delivery; this feature allows only a specified or authorized person to receive the mail or package.

Bound Printer Matter

Also known as a the Paid by permit imprint only, the bound printer matter is a cost-effective USPS service that permanently-bound sheets of advertising, promotional, editorial material such as phonebooks and catalogs. Companies who usually take advantage of this type of mail are Avon, Victoria Secret, and other catalog companies. This type of service can only weigh up to 15 pounds and at least 90% of the sheets are printed by any process other than typewriting or handwriting. Sheet packages must be permanently-bound by something secure like a fastener, staple, glue, spiral binding, or stitching.

This service is also entitled for discount rates for 300 or more pieces. Extra services include return receipt for merchandise, restricted delivery, return receipt, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, and collect on delivery. Now you can send any printed matter with ease and confidence that your packages are in good and capable hands.

Media Mail

This is the most cost-efficient way to send books, recorded video tapes, sound recordings, printed music and recorded computer-readable media such as diskettes, DVD’s and CD’s. This service is strictly for shipment .purposes and not for advertising except for incidental announcement of books. Media Mail’s maximum weight is 70 pounds and presorted rates are available for bulk quantities. Barcode discount is also available and rates are based on the package weight and size.

This mail service also comes with extra services which include transit insurance against loss and damage, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™ and Collect on Delivery. Now with media mail you are assured that all your packages are well taken care of.

The first thing you need to do is to check the country’s post office website. If you happen to be in the US you can check USPS website or you also check the state website. The postofficelocations.net is another helpful website that contains comprehensive post office locations on each US state.

USPS Post Office Locator

The post office locator is one of the many features of the USPS website. The postal services will never be the same without the post office locator. This locator will help you find your way to the post office with no sweat at all. It locates the nearest post office in your area and other facility-related information. You can search a range of miles within which to search and you can view the results as a list or on a map provided by the website.

The USPS user-friendly website will guide you on how to properly locate the nearest post office. On the upper part of the USPS website click “Locate a Post Office” option and once you are in to the service locator page click the box to select service. Click the post office locations option and fill in the boxes with your complete address and then click search. In just a matter of seconds you will be provided with the nearest post offices within your area.

Ordering supplies online is as easy as mailing your mail or package. Once you are in the website, select Supplies and go to USPS shipping supplies. There are four selection that you can choose; the flat rate boxes and envelopes, priority mail boxes and envelopes, express mail boxes and envelopes, and international boxes and envelopes. Once you’ve made your choice, your web browser displays a page from which you can order the supplies. If you have some trouble orderingbyou can always contact USPS for further assistance.

USPS products are also available at 1,083 office depot stores across the country, such as priority mail flat rate boxes and envelopes, parcel post, stamps, delivery confirmation, signature confirmation, etc. You can pick up these supplies straight from these stores at your convenience. By using Postal Service shipping products you will be assured that there will be no surcharges and you can start paying a low rate to any state just by using the priority mail flat rate. Now you can stop worrying about weighing the package and have some savings in your pocket.

How to Buy Postage

Ordering postage is now easy with USPS. Make sure you have sufficient funds in your postage account before printing your postage stamps. You can check your current postage account balance in the “Review postage total and print area”. You can stock up your postage by using the payment information when you set up your account with USPS. If you want to change your mode of payment from your previous purchase, you can click the “change” button and follow the on-screen prompts.

You can start buying your postage by clicking the toolbar, and click the “Buy Postage” icon. Select the amount from the list in the “Amount of postage to purchase” and click “Buy Now” once you selected the amount. A confirmation email will be sent to you when the transaction has completed.

How to Buy Postage Labels

Postage labels are needed when you decided to print your own postage. There are specifically approved labels that the USPS has authorized so make sure to get your postage labels online. Depending on the type of printer you are using, you can choose from the two types of postage labels available online; the rolls and sheets. To buy your postage labels, go to the website’s toolbar and click the “buy labels” icon so you can place your order.

USPS has developed this amazing technology that turns your photos into postage. This easy-to-use service makes postage a breeze for you don’t need a software to make it. All you need is a computer with internet access, weighing scale, an adhesive paper and a printer. But before printing any stamps make sure to search other website that offers longer trials and good discounts. You can also find other postal services on many online stamp-printing companies which includes certified mail, insured mail and postage for packages.

Advantages

Printing stamp on your own is really convenient for it can save you a trip to the post office. Companies who are sending mails on a regular basis can definitely benefit on this technology and they don’t have to worry about having the right types of stamps. Signing up for a tracking number is also available online and you can request a mailing company to pick-up your mails and packages without you having to leave your office or home.

Now you can say goodbye to a lot of long trips to the post office and standing in long lines because you don’t have any postage. What’s good about printing your own stamp is that you can control your shipping when you get to the post office since you are weighing your mail or package before mailing it. Your mail will stand out among other mails for you can personalize it, and you don’t have to work on a post office’s business hours.

Steps in Printing Stamps

Printing your stamp has never been fun. All you have to do is to log in to the USPS website and prepay your account with a credit card. Once you paid you can start making your own stamp and the value of the stamp will be automatically deducted from your account. There are other websites that allows stamp printing like Stamp.com where you can download the software. Other websites is offering a free but limited trial use to print a few pages of the stamp.

Once you have the software you can start designing and editing your stamp. You can crop your photos or you can put the company’s logo using the software’s editing capabilities.

Most postage software can automatically key in addresses from Quickbooks or Microsoft Access so you don’t have to worry about putting an address.

Make sure you have all things you need before printing your own stamps. Like your stamp paper or an envelope. Yes, you can use an envelope just make sure to properly set your printer.

Once you are done printing you can send your letter in a regular fashion.

Printing your own stamp is the best way to streamline and automate your business. Plus you have extra time for yourself instead of worrying your mailing problems.