What Is A US Postal Service Collection Box?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Collection Box® receptacles are mail receptacles (usually either blue, freestanding units, post mounted units, or chutes in a building)

where customers can deposit mail

. Mail drop-off points and Collection Box receptacles may also be located at or inside a Post Office® facility.

How do I use a USPS collection box?

  1. Step 1: Pick Your Box. Use a box that's big enough to safely fit what you're sending. …
  2. Step 2: Pack Your Box. …
  3. Step 3: Address your Package. …
  4. Step 4: Choose a Mail Service. …
  5. Step 5: Calculate & Apply . …
  6. Step 6: Ship Your Package.

What is a US postal collection box?

Mail collection boxes, introduced in 1858, are

used primarily to collect mail from customers

. … The Postal Service allows collection boxes to be placed in an out-of-service status temporarily if they are damaged and awaiting repair, removed for a parade, or cannot be collected due to unusual circumstances.

Can you put a package in a USPS collection box?

The answer is

yes

. The U.S. post office allows consumers to drop packages into the blue mailboxes as long as they can fit and have the correct postage – whether that's by stamps, or postage printed out from Amazon, Stamps.com or Paypal).

Are postal collection boxes safe?

— For many people, blue USPS drop boxes are an important part of business and daily life. … “Those are designed to be a

very secure method

of receiving that collections mail,” Adam Sale, USPS inspector, said. Even as safe as they are, they too, just like neighborhood mailboxes, can sometimes become the target of thieves.

What is the last pickup time for USPS?

The last collection scheduled must be at

5:00 p.m. or later

, unless an exception has been granted. See 313.5 for exception process information.

How much does it cost to ship a 5 lb box USPS?

Parcel Select (wt. not over) Zones 1 & 2 Zone 5 4 lb $7.85 $10.08 5 lb $7.95

$11.35
6 lb $8.06 $13.97 7 lb $8.33 $16.03

Will the Mailman pick up packages from my mailbox?

The U.S. Postal Service provides

free package pickup

from your home or office at a time and place that's convenient for you. And follow the prompts. It's free, regardless of the number of packages you're sending. Your letter carrier will pick up your package when your regular mail is delivered.

Is it faster to drop mail at post office?

The quickest way is

to drop the letter in the post office branch which hosts the carrier route for your landlord

. They might have a drop box for ‘your ZIP only'. If not, ask. The letter will get hand cancelled (or manually machined) and go straight to the carrier's section.

Where is the closest USPS mailbox?

From www.usps.com “> www.usps.com , choose “Locate a Post Office,” and on the next page select “Collection Boxes” from the drop-down menu (or you can go directly to

usps.whitepages.com/

collection_box ). Enter an address or just a ZIP Code to get a list and a map of nearby mailboxes.

Can I drop a prepaid package in a USPS mailbox?

If your packages have domestic shipping labels, you can drop them off at USPS collection locations without waiting in line. If the packages fit, you may drop them off at

blue collection mailboxes and Post Office mail drop slots

. Some Post Offices may also have a designated spot on the counter for prepaid packages.

Are USPS boxes free?

The USPS will keep you well-stocked with

boxes, stickers, forms and more for free

. … To get your free USPS shipping supplies, you can order them online through Stamps.com or pick them up from Post Offices nationwide. The post office will allow you to order up to 500 of its shipping boxes or labels free of charge.

Can you drop off USPS at Walgreens?

Retailers like Walgreens, Staples and Walmarts do

accept USPS package drop offs

– assuming there's a FedEx counter inside.

How often is a post box emptied?

This will typically be

between 9am and 3pm

in urban and suburban areas on Monday to Friday, and no earlier than 7am on a Saturday. There will always be a later collection post box (after 4pm) within a mile of a ‘Collection on Delivery' box.

Is it safe to leave mail in your mailbox?

Officials have some simple advice for small business owners: “

Never leave outgoing checks in a mailbox to be picked up by a carrier

,” Cunningham said. Outgoing mail with checks should always be left in a secure blue mailbox or dropped off at the post office.

What happens if I leave mail in my mailbox?

After 10 days, the postal service declares the address M.L.N.A. which means, “Moved, Left No Address.”

The mail in the box is then “returned to sender

.” Once a mailbox is declared M.L.N.A., post office machines automatically send all future mail to that mailbox back to the sender immediately.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.