International Mail Services and Classes
There are five major types of international mail:
| Class |
Estimated Delivery |
Description |
| Global Express Guaranteed® (GXGTM) |
1-3 days |
- Reliable, high-speed, time-definite service
- Meets destination-specific delivery standards or postage is refunded
- Liability is limited to $100, unless additional optional insurance purchased
- Weight limit is 70 pounds, but some countries have a lower maximum weight limit (check with Mail Services)
|
| Global Express Mail® (EMS) |
3-5 days |
- An expedited service
- Insurance up to a maximum of $100; additional insurance available with some restrictions
- Return receipt service available at no additional charge (some country limitations)
- Weight limit is 70 pounds, but some countries have a lower maximum weight limit (check with Mail Services)
- Expedited handling in the destination country, but no postage refund guarantee if a delivery delay occurs
|
| Global Priority Mail® (GPM) |
4-6 days |
- Accelerated airmail service
- For sending correspondence, business documents, advertising messages, printed matter, and light-weight merchandise
- 4 pounds and under
- Service to over 51 countries and territories worldwide
- Mail receives priority handling to all its destinations
- Special services, such as registry, return receipt, recorded delivery, and insurance, are not available in combination with GPM service.
|
| Global Airmail® Service |
4-7 days |
- Available for letters (Global Airmail Letter-post) or parcels (Global Airmail Parcel Post)
- Send to virtually any country in the world
- 4 pound limit for Letter-post; mail over this limit is sent Parcel-post
- Insurance and return receipt available on parcel-post
- Special services, such as return receipt and recorded delivery, may be added to letter-post on a country-specific basis
|
| Global Economy Service |
4-6 weeks |
- Letter-post and Parcel-post are available
- Surface transport/delivery service used
- Best suited for deliveries that are not time-sensitive
- Differs from Airmail mainly in speed and price; otherwise subject to the same regulations and conditions
|
For a full description of available International mailing services, see the USPS International Mail Manual - International Mail Categories section
To determine if your mailing requires a Customs form, see the USPS requirements.
For more in International Mailing Services, visit the following:
