Priority Mail

Any first-class mail weighing more than 13 ounces must be sent priority mail. Any mail weighing under 13 ounces is the option of the sender to mail it priority. Priority mail rates are based on zone and weight.

International Mail

Through an arrangement with an international re-mail carrier, UMS provides delivery of international mail at a discount of up to 25% off USPS rates. Attach a Mailing Information Form to letters or packages to international addresses and forward them to UMS to take advantage of this discount. Below are the general guidlines for sending international mail.

Addressing

The entire right side of the envelope, package, or card should be reserved for addressing, postage, labels, etc. Addresses must be printed in ink or typed. Pencil is unacceptable. Addresses must be in English or include a line by line English translation. When sending parcels, include the address on the inside of packages as well as the outside. Self-mailers must be enclosed in an envelope for foreign delivery. Mail may not be addressed to a person in one country "in care of" a person in another country. The name of the addressee must appear on each mail piece. The bottom line of the address must show only the country name, written in full and in capital letters.

Proper format for addressing international mail:

MR PETER PIPER
APARTADO 306
46807 PUERTO VALLARTA JALISCO
MEXICO

The sender's complete return address, including zip code and country origin, should appear in the upper left corner of the address side of the mail piece.

Customs Forms

Customs forms are required for dutiable (subject to import tax) letters, packages, dutiable printed matter, parcel post, and all small packages. Knowing what you are sending and where it is going will determine what needs to be declared for customs.

Mailability

All articles that are nonmailable in the United States are nonmailable through international mail. There are also certain items that are mailable within the U.S. that are nonmailable within individual countries. Nonmailable items include, but are not limited to:

Advertisements for motor vehicle master keys Advertisements for abortion Copyright violations Fictitious material Libelous material Lottery material Materials depicting violence Immoral or obscene articles and advertisements

Before preparing your international mailing, call University Mail Service for additional information on mailing rates.

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Nonprofit Mail

A nonprofit mailing must contain at least 200 pieces and each piece must be of identical weight. The authorized organization's name and return address must appear on the outside of the piece or in a prominent place on the material mailed.

Permit Usage

The University Mail Service holds a permit that enables departments to send out mail without affixing postage to each piece. There must be at least 200 pieces of identical weight displaying the permit indicia. We recommend that any departments using the university's permit process the mailing through the University Mail Service. The postage of these mailings are paid on account with the U.S. Postal Service with funds provided by the University Mail Service. You will be charged for the amount of postage used. It is important to understand that any mailings done in violation of the U.S. Postal Service regulations under the permit may jeopardize UIC's nonprofit status and the permit may be revoked. When using an outside vendor to process mail with the permit, the paper work must be submitted to the University Mail Service.

Business Reply Mail

Business reply mail is available for sending business reply cards, envelopes, self-mailers, or labels. Business reply mail allows the sender to receive first class and priority mail back from customers by paying postage only on those pieces being returned. Business reply envelopes can be ordered through the office of Publication Services. The format for Business Reply Mail can be found here.