Express mail in the United States

1944 13¢ Special Delivery stamp

The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides Express Mail for domestic U.S. delivery, and offers two Express Mail services, although only one of them is part of the EMS standard. One is simply called Express Mail International^[1] and the other service is called Global Express Guaranteed(GXG).^[2] The latter having no relation whatsoever to "EMS" International service as provided by the EMS Cooperative.

The USPS Global Express Guaranteed (GXG),^[3] by which USPS offices act as drop locations for international packages which are then handled by FedEx international delivery network.

In some countries, import rules for packages received by courier services have different tax brackets and duties than parcels received on the postal system, and thus ^[4] EMS service (Express Mail International) is preferred over FedEx's co-branded Global Express Guaranteed.

These two USPS International Mail terms, Express Mail International and Global Express Guaranteed are often confused with their domestic service called Express Mail, which is a specific classification of mail for domestic accelerated postal delivery within the U.S.

In 2013, the USPS changed the name of the service to "Priority Mail Express". This may lead to confusion, as "Priority Mail" is still used, and the packaging is very similar.

History

Special Delivery, a domestic accelerated delivery service, was introduced on 3 March 1885 initially with a fee of 10¢ paid by a Special Delivery stamp. It has been transformed into Express Mail, which was introduced in 1977 after an experimental period that started in 1970,^[5] though Special Delivery was not terminated until June 8, 1997.^[6]

Modern USPS Domestic Delivery Express Mail And International Express Mail Delivery

Express Mail is an accelerated domestic mail delivery service operated by the United States Postal Service. It is able to provide overnight delivery to most locations within the continental United States and guaranteed delivery within 2 days. Unlike most other USPS delivery options which provide only delivery confirmation, Express Mail provides accurate, up-to-date tracking information, and insurance up to $100. Items shipped using this service can be delivered within the 48 contiguous United States and the Washington, D.C. within 1 to 2 business days. Packages sent to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii frequently require up to 2 additional business days.

Express Mail deliver 365 days a year, including Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. Sunday/Holiday incurs a charge of $12.50 in addition to standard rate.^[7] Unlike Priority Mail and First Class Mail, USPS provides real-time tracking information online and by phone for Express Mail shipments.

Global Express Guaranteed(GXG) service is an international expedited delivery service provided through an alliance with FedEx Corporation. It provides reliable, high–speed, guaranteed, and time–definite service from selected Post Office facilities in the United States to a large number of international destinations. (See Countries and Cities Served Section of Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for destination service commitments.) Global Express Guaranteed delivery service is guaranteed to meet the specified service standards or the postage paid may be refunded. For almost all network destinations, liability insurance is provided for lost or damaged shipments.

Other private express carriers guarantee overnight or 2-day delivery by as early as 8:30 or 10:30 AM. Express Mail also conveys other benefits under specific circumstances; U.S. patent applications and related documents transmitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office via USPS Express Mail carry the postmark date as the date of patent priority, so long as each document is mailed along with a signed certificate of mailing bearing the Express Mail tracking number of the mailing label.

References