
USPS offers Collect on Delivery (COD) as a secure payment option for customers, allowing them to pay for packages upon delivery.
COD packages are handled like regular mail, but with an added layer of security, as the recipient must sign for the package and pay the delivery fee.
The COD fee is a flat rate, currently set at $2.75 for packages weighing up to 70 pounds.
This fee is in addition to the cost of the item being sent and any applicable postage.
What is USPS?
The United States Postal Service, or USPS, is a mail service that's been around for a while. It's a government-run organization that's responsible for delivering mail and packages across the country.
USPS is the primary mail service in the US, and it's been around since 1775. It's been a trusted institution for centuries, and it's still going strong today.
USPS offers a range of services, including Collect on Delivery, which we'll be discussing in more detail later.
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What Is
The United States Postal Service, or USPS, is a self-funded organization that operates independently of the US government.
It was created in 1775 as the Post Office Department, and in 1971, it became an independent agency of the US government.
The USPS has a long history, with the first postage stamp issued in 1847.
The USPS is responsible for providing postal services to the public, including mail delivery, package delivery, and postal services for businesses.
It has a massive network of post offices and facilities across the country, with over 40,000 locations.
The USPS is also a major employer, with over 500,000 employees.
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Basic Information
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a range of services, but one of the most useful is Collect on Delivery (COD) service. The USPS maintains a record of delivery for a specified period of time, which includes the recipient's signature.
The maximum amount that can be collected from the recipient on an individual parcel is $1,000. This applies to all types of mail, including Express Mail and Package Services.

Any mailer can use COD service to mail an article for which they have not been paid. The mailer must declare the full value of the article being mailed, regardless of the amount to be collected from the recipient.
To use COD service, the mailer must affix a COD form to the mailpiece. Only one form of payment may be used for a single mailpiece.
Eligible Mail Services for USPS
If you're considering using USPS Collect on Delivery, it's essential to know which mail services are eligible for this service. According to USPS.com, the following mail services are eligible for a Collect on Delivery transaction.
You can use Collect on Delivery with Priority Mail Express (1-Day and 2-Day service only), Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service-Retail, First-Class Package Service-Commercial, USPS Retail Ground, Media Mail, Library Mail, Bound Printed Matter, and Parcel Select (except Parcel Select Lightweight).
For example, you can send a package via Priority Mail Express with Collect on Delivery, but you can't use it with Parcel Select Lightweight.
Here's a list of eligible mail services:
- Priority Mail Express (1-Day and 2-Day service only)
- Priority Mail
- First-Class Mail
- First-Class Package Service-Retail
- First-Class Package Service-Commercial
- USPS Retail Ground
- Media Mail
- Library Mail
- Bound Printed Matter
- Parcel Select (except Parcel Select Lightweight)
USPS Operations
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been offering Collect on Delivery (COD) service for over a century, making it a reliable option for those without access to bank cards or credit cards.
COD shipments can be sent via various USPS services, including Priority Express, Priority, First-Class, and Retail Ground, among others.
You'll need to make a trip to the Post Office to complete the shipment, as only Post Offices or rural carriers can take COD shipments.
COD shipments automatically come with USPS Tracking, but you can choose additional services like Return Receipt or Hold for Pickup.
The fee for COD service starts at $8.60 for amounts up to $50 and ranges up to $31.85 for $1,000 or more.
You can pay with cash, personal check, pin-based debit card, or money order.
Money orders and checks will be forwarded to the sender via First-Class mail.
If you're not home when the COD shipment is delivered, the mail carrier will try again the next day.
After 10 days, the Post Office will hold the package for pickup.
Here's a breakdown of the COD payment options:
- Cash (converted to a money order)
- Personal check
- Pin-based debit card
- Money order
Delivery Options

With Collect on Delivery (COD) USPS, you have flexibility in how you receive your packages. You can choose to pay for your package at the time of delivery.
The USPS offers several delivery options, including Signature Confirmation, which requires a signature upon delivery. This ensures that the package is received by the intended person.
If you're not home to receive your package, you can opt for a re-delivery or have it held at the local post office for pickup. This is convenient for busy schedules or when you're not expecting a package.
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4.0 Delivery
Delivery of COD mail is subject to certain conditions. COD mail can be restricted by a postmaster if the amount to be collected makes the carrier a potential target for theft.
A postmaster may also restrict delivery if previous experience indicates that the addressee will be unavailable to receive the article at the time of delivery. This is done to ensure safe and secure delivery of packages.

If payment is made by check, the recipient's check made payable to the mailer can be accepted by the USPS employee upon presentation of adequate identification. This is a convenient option for recipients who prefer to pay by check.
A money order fee is collected from the recipient when payment is made by cash, in addition to the COD amount. This is a standard practice to cover the costs of handling cash transactions.
Home Delivery
For home delivery, you can opt for the old-school 3816 COD form, which is used when the merchant wants the funds collected at the recipient's door. This form is used in combination with a conventional postage payment label.
The tracking number on the postage label will be the same as the one used on the COD form. You'll need to pay postage plus COD fees at time of mailing, which includes insurance against loss, rifling, damage to the article, or USPS's failure to obtain payment.
The amount collected may not exceed $1,000 per package. This option requires two labels on each package, one for the COD form and one for the postage payment label.
Recipients may pay by cash, pin-based debit card, a personal check, or money order made payable to the USPS.
Understanding USPS
Understanding USPS is key to navigating the Collect on Delivery (COD) process. USPS stands for United States Postal Service, a self-funded organization that provides postal services across the country.
The USPS is a federal agency, established in 1775, making it one of the oldest government agencies in the US. It's responsible for providing mail and package delivery services to over 157 million addresses.
The USPS has a vast network of over 40,000 post offices and 220,000 blue mailboxes across the country. This extensive network allows for efficient and reliable delivery of mail and packages.
COD is a service offered by USPS that requires the recipient to pay for the package at the time of delivery. This service is often used for high-value or sensitive packages that require a secure payment process.
To initiate a COD shipment, the sender must provide a COD form and payment instructions to the USPS. The COD form must include the package details, recipient's information, and payment terms.
Additional reading: Order to Delivery Process
Sources
- https://pe.usps.com/archive/html/dmmarchive20041209/S921.htm
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/10/2013-16523/collect-on-delivery-cod-service-features
- https://querysprout.com/usps-collect-on-delivery/
- https://www.myib.com/2023/06/08/exploring-the-power-of-collect-on-delivery-cod-usps-service/index.html
- https://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-plans-end-cod-home-delivery/
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