You may have seen warning notices posted on mailboxes that discuss the 13-ounce rule. Normally, if your mailpiece weighs over 13 ounces, you would not be able to drop it off in a mailbox, lobby mail slot, or blue collection box due to security policies.

However, the good news is that this rule does not apply to PC Postage users like Stamps.com customers. The security policies are met when you use Stamps.com. Being a Stamps.com customer means that you save time and have access to multiple drop-off options!

Scheduling free USPS pickups

With Stamps.com, it’s easy to schedule a free USPS pickup through your software. We recommend scheduling a pickup request in order to alert the Post Office and so the carrier can make appropriate preparations. The service is available for Priority Express Mail, Priority Mail, Priority Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and Global Express Guaranteed. Have a package at another mail class? Not to worry: as long as your pickup request includes at least one qualifying class, the mailpieces with non-qualifying mail classes will be picked up as well.

To schedule a USPS pickup, follow these steps in Stamps.com:

• Click “USPS Pickup” from the “View History” menu on the left navigation bar.
• Check the boxes next to the mailpieces that you want picked up.
• Click the “Schedule Pickup” button.
• Verify the information.
• Click “Submit” and then print the pickup date/time and confirmation number that appears.
• Click “Done” to return to the “USPS Pickup” screen.

SCAN form

If you need acceptance scans of your packages, we recommend using the Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice (SCAN) form feature. The SCAN form is designed to record package acceptance events in the USPS tracking database. The carrier just needs to scan a single barcode on the SCAN form to activate an acceptance event for all of the packages associated with the form. Just print a SCAN form after all of your shipping labels for the day have been printed. Then, schedule a free USPS pickup and make the powerful Stamps.com software work for you!

Dropping your packages off

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. If you have a large number of packages, you may be asked to bring them to a rear loading dock. Remember that each Post Office is different and may vary in terms of volume and staffing.