USPS Collect On Delivery : How it Works?

Know everything about the USPS Collect on Delivery service from this article. As we have explained how it works, what are the restrictions and more here.

The era of electronic advancement where we can make payments and shop online from our homes’ comfort has opened the door to new possibilities. The more convenience we are getting, the more we are desiring. 

As keeping in touch with our friends and family from one part of the globe to the other is now simple, we need the most trusted services to send our beloved ones important mails. The mail service should be convenient, easy to reach, cheap, and reliable. 

USPS Collect On Delivery: How it Works

That’s why USPS, United States Postal Service, comes with many advantages and benefits when it comes to senders and the recipients of the mail. Today we will give the readers proper knowledge about the USPS Collect on Delivery or COD, a mailing service provided by the shipping giant, and discover its conditions and payment structure. 

Table of Contents

What is USPS Collect On Delivery?

Collect on Delivery, widely known as COD, is a service provided by USPS which enables the sender to receive fees, money for postage, merchandise, etc., from the recipient at the time of delivery. Each Collect On Delivery item will bear an identification number and an enabling delivery confirmation. 

Things you need to know –

  • Senders use the COD method to collect payment for the product and/or fees and the money for postage from the recipient at the time of delivery.
  • The sender needs to pay for the postage and fees when he or she is mailing the package. 
  • USPS does not allow the amount to be collected to exceed $1,000.
  • Senders can use the Post Office or any rural carrier for mailing. 

A COD mail is not deposited in –

  • Street Letterbox
  • A Post Office maildrop
  • A Rural Mailbox
  • Given to the carrier (if it’s not a rural carrier).

Services COD doesn’t provide –

  • A guaranteed time of delivery.
  • Accelerated delivery service. 

Eligibility and Restrictions for COD services and COD Restricted services –

There are some essential points senders need to bear in mind before opting for the USPS Collect on Delivery service. All these points need to be followed without any fail. These are talked about below –

  • The mail or the parcel needs to bear full addresses and complete names of both the addressee and the mailer. 
  • The mailer is bound to pay the return postage fees unless it is not specified otherwise in the package. 

These are the following mail services that are compatible with goods shipping via COD method –

  • First-class mail
  • Priority mail
  • Priority mail express
  • First-class package service-retail
  • First-class package service-commercial
  • Library mail
  • Media mail
  • USPS retail ground
  • Parcel Select (except the parcel select lightweight)
  • Bound Printed Matter

Unless it’s a USPS Marketing Mail Parcel, every COD mail provides a free USPS tracking service. If the tracking service is down then you can follow this guide.

Suppose a COD mail fails to deliver the package to the recipient. In that case, it will be held for 10 days at the local Post Office unless the mailer particularly gives any specifications for holding the item for lesser days. 

The following should be applied with these mail services –

If you are using First-Class Package Service-Retail or Priority Mail services with COD, the package should be combined with –

  • Registered Mail Restricted Delivery mail items 
  • Registered Mail items

The USPS Collect on Delivery or COD Restricted Delivery can also be combined with –

  • Return Receipt (can be electronic or even a hardcopy)
  • Hold for pick-up
  • Signature Confirmation
  • Special Handling for fragile items. 

COD money that needs to be collected from the recipient should not be greater than $1,000. 

Registered mail and Registered mail restricted delivery items may contain a declared price of $1,000 but still should not exceed that specified amount. 

For indemnity claim or delivery receipts 

  • The number of the Registered Mail is used
  • The number of Priority Mail Express articles is used. 

More Conditions which need to be followed –

  • International Mail does not support this Collect On Delivery service. 
  • Collect on Delivery Service cannot be used when you want to return some package if there is any dispute.
  • COD cannot be used for an FPO, APO, or DPO address, regardless if it’s sent to the addresses or sent from them. 
  • Moving picture film distributors or manufacturers cannot use the Collect On Delivery Service to send moving picture films. 
  • Packages to Arm Forces Agencies, including official mails, cannot be sent with COD. 
  • If you want to send some shipment or receive some in the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands, you cannot use the Collect On Delivery service. 
  • Collection agency purposes are not to be combined with COD. 
  • If you want to mail only the statement of accounts or bills, you cannot use the Collect On Delivery service. 

Payments

  • The amount of the insurance coverage or the amount which needs to be collected at the time of delivery determines the ‘ USPS Collect on Delivery’ fees. 
  • This COD fee is not qualified for a refund.
  • If you already have applied for insurance in the mail, you may refund the insurance as per the Insurance Mail Guidelines state. 
  • Recipients can pay by cash, personal check, money order, or even pin based debit card. The sender may not specify this payment method. 
  • If the recipient makes the payment by cash, a money order fee would be incorporated with the Collect on Delivery Service fee. 
  • The Collect on Delivery fee includes insurance of the package against loss or damage. 
  • First Class Mail Service is compatible with Remittance until and unless –
    • The sender uses the COD form of label his or her United States Postal Service Corporate Account, also known as USPSCA. Using this account allows USPS to charge the money from it. 
    • The sender chooses to use an electronic fund transfer method. 
  • For reporting any delay in payment of the remittance, you can contact 1-800-ASK-USPS. 

Conclusion –

USPS Collect on Delivery is very beneficial for the people who like to receive the mail before making the payment. The fees of the product, merchandise, money for postage are meant to be collected from the recipient at the time of delivery. 

Also, USPS services provide completely free of cost USPS tracking with COD. So, don’t be hesitant to use this amazing Collect on Delivery Service by USPS, which is compatible with nearly all kinds of mail.