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Frequently Asked Questions

What time is my mail delivered each day?

Mail runs begin in Montpelier and Waterbury at 8:30AM and end at approximately 10:30AM. Incoming mail is delivered between these times and out going mail will be picked up as well.

How do I get mail to the Postal Center that needs to go out after my regularly scheduled pickup time? 

There are pick up locations in Montpelier (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM) and Waterbury (1:15 PM) for an afternoon sweep pick up. Contact the Postal Center for a pick up location near your office. Outgoing mail can also be brought to our facility in Middlesex until 4:30 PM weekdays (except State holidays). The volume and time this mail is presented will determine if it will be placed in the federal mail stream the same day.

What is pink-mail?

Inter office mail that is distributed between the Montpelier and Waterbury complexes that got its name from the primary use of pink envelopes. Please search the zip+4 list on this website to learn of locations that are currently served by the pink mail program. The use of the zip code and 4-digit extension on all pink mail will guarantee next day delivery of pink mail.

Should I contact you if I have a large mailing?

Yes, please contact us as you are planning the mail piece. We can suggest possible dollar savings based on appearance and mailing needs. Please search on this website for the Mailing Notification and Release Form which is of great benefit and should be used for these special mailings.

Is there anything that I can do to speed processing for my incoming mail?

Contact vendors and customers and ask them to always use your zip+4 when sending mail to you.  Always include your zip+4 on your return address to further encourage this practice.  Zip+4 mail pieces are sorted more quickly in the Federal system and are sorted first in our Postal Center.

What envelopes qualify as First Class Letters?

Envelopes that meet the minimum dimensions of 3 ½ inches by 5 inches long but do not exceed maximum dimensions and weight (when filled) of 6 1/8 inches by 11 ½ inches long and 3.5 ounces.

When does a First Class Letter become a first Class Flat?

When it exceeds any of the above minimum and maximum dimensions and weight but does not exceed the dimensions of 12 inches high by 15 inches long.

When does a First Class Flat become a Package Services Ground Advance piece?

When it has exceeded the dimension of 12 inches high by 15 inches long or has become a non-machinable piece.

What is a non-machinable piece?

A mail piece with contents that are rigid, fragile, or odd shaped. Keys. Coins, binder clips are a few items. If the mail piece is not uniform in thickness or it has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mail piece. The aspect ratio (length divided by height) is less than 1.3 (such as square envelope) or more than 2.5.

Do you offer any parcel shipping services?

Yes – we offer daily shipping through FedEx.  Simply leave the parcel at the mail delivery/pick up area at your workplace at the same time as your outgoing mail. Place address information (No PO boxes), Vision billing number, and send via FedEx sticker on the parcel and we will take care of the rest. Billing will be handled monthly with your Postal bill.

What do the Ancillary Endorsements on outgoing letters for Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) mean?

Information below is taken directly from the USPS Domestic Mail Manual:

No Endorsement

In all cases: Same treatment as “Forwarding Service Requested.”

“Electronic Service Requested”

In all cases mailpiece is directed to a Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) or Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) site for processing. “Address Service Requested” and “Change Service Requested” handling instructions and options are required to be predefined within the ACS mailer profile data. OneCode ACS mailers are also required to insert this service request through a valid service type code in an Intelligent Mail barcode. The service type code in the Intelligent Mail barcode will take precedence over the instructions in the mailer account profile.

“Address  Service  Requested”

Option 1
  • If no change-of-address order on file
    • Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge).
  • If change-of-address order on file:
    • Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge); separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
    • Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new address attached (no charge).
    • After month 18: Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge).
Option 2
  • If no change-of-address order on file
    • Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge); separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged).
  • If change-of-address order on file
    • Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge); separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
    • Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new address attached (no charge); separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
    • After month 18: Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge); separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged).

“Forwarding Service Requested”

  • If no change-of-address order on file
    • Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge).
  • If change-of-address order on file
    • Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge).
    • Months 13 through 18: Piece returned with new address attached (no charge).
    • After month 18: Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge).

“Return Service Requested”

Option 1
  • In all cases (regardless of whether a change-of-address order is on file)
    • Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached (in either case, no charge).
Option 2
  • In all cases (regardless of whether a change-of-address order is on file)
    • Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached and separate ACS notice of new address provided. Address correction fee charged. For First-Class Mail letters or flats, request must be made via the correct STID embedded in the Intelligent Mail barcode on the mailpiece.

“Change Service Requested”

Option 1
  • In all cases (regardless of whether a change-of-address order is on file)
    • Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided (in either case, address correction fee charged); piece disposed of by USPS.
Option 2
  • If no change-of-address order on file
    • Piece disposed of by USPS; separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged).
  • If change-of-address order on file
    • Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge); separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
    • Months 13 through 18: Piece disposed of by USPS; separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged).
    • After month 18: Piece disposed of by USPS; separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged).
Restrictions (for Options 1 and 2)
  • The following restrictions apply
    1. This endorsement is limited to use on valid mailpieces bearing a proper ACS participant code and only for: (a) Priority Mail containing perishable matter (other than live animals) and the marking “Perishable” and; (b) First-Class Mail and First-Class Package Service (excluding hazardous materials).
    2. USPS Tracking and Signature Confirmation are the only extra services permitted with this endorsement.

“Temp - Return Service Requested”

Option 1
  • If no change-of-address order on file
    • Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge).
  • If permanent change-of-address order on file
    • Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached (in either case, no charge).
  • If temporary change-of-address order on file
    • Piece forwarded to temporary address (no charge); no separate notice of temporary address provided.
Option 2
  • Request must be made via the correct STID embedded in the Intelligent Mail barcode on the mailpiece for First-Class Mail letters or flats.
    • If no change-of-address order on file
      • Piece returned with reason for nondelivery attached (no charge) and separate ACS notice provided. Address correction fee charged.
    • If permanent change-of-address order on file
      • Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached and separate ACS notice of new address provided. Address correction fee charged.
    • If temporary change-of-address order on file
      • Piece forwarded to temporary address (no charge) with no notice to the mailer.