PB 22164 - September 29, 2005 - USPS.com® - About

POSTAL BULLETIN 22164 (9-29-05)
Parcel Select Hold For Pickup" Endorsement Field Information Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup”?
The Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” endorsement is an
option for merchants who prefer to have their customers
pick up parcels at Postal Service facilities, rather than
have the Postal Service attempt delivery to the customer’s
street address. With the Parcel Select “Hold For
Pickup” endorsement, the merchant/agent drop ships
the parcel at a designated Postal Service facility, where
it is held for pickup. When the item is scanned “Arrive at
Pickup Point,” the merchant/agent notifies the customer
that a parcel is available for pickup. The designated
Postal Service facility dates and initials the parcel upon
arrival and holds it for the customer for up to 10 calendar
days.
2. Will all Postal Service facilities handle Parcel Select
“Hold For Pickup” mailpieces?
No. Only those Postal Service facilities designated by
their district will handle Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup”
mailpieces.
3. Are parcels that are endorsed “Hold For Pickup” handled
differently from other Parcel Select parcels?
Rather than have a carrier attempt delivery, parcels
endorsed “Hold For Pickup” are held at a designated
Postal Service facility for pickup by the customer.
4. How do Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels arrive
at designated Postal Service facilities?
Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels are presented
with Parcel Select shipments. They should be separated
by slip sheet or separate pallet. Parcels are identified by
a red-white-and-blue official “Hold For Pickup” endorsement
ID label as well as an endorsement on the address
label. They may be on the same pallet as other Parcel
Select mail.
5. How is Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” mail
identified?
Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels have a redwhite-and-blue
official “Hold For Pickup” endorsement
ID label on the address label side of the parcel
designating the item as “Hold For Pickup.” A reverse
black-and-white print endorsement that states “Hold For
Pickup” also appears on the address label.
6. What scan is used when an office receives Parcel
Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels?
All Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels must be
scanned as “Arrive at Pickup Point” unless they are misshipped
or have visible damage.
If the parcel seems to have visible damage and you believe
the internal contents could be damaged, you must
scan the parcel “Visible Damaged,” hand stamp it “Return
to Sender,” and then place it in the Parcel Return
Services designated area. The parcel must be scanned
“Picked Up By Agent” when returned to the merchant/
agent.
If the parcel is not for your office, you must scan the parcel
“Misshipped” and then place it in the Parcel Return
Services designated area. Parcels must be scanned
“Picked Up By Agent” when returned to the merchant/
agent.
7. How is the pick-up area for a designated Postal Service
facility determined?
The pick-up area for a designated Postal Service facility
includes ZIP Codes within approximately a 20-mile radius
of the designated Postal Service facility.
8. How are customers notified that they have a parcel
available for pickup?
Four times a day, the Postal Service transmits an extract
file containing a list of scans to the merchant/agent with
information about which designated Postal Service facilities
have parcels that need to be picked up. When it receives
this information, the merchant/agent sends a
notification to the customer that the parcel is available
for pickup at the Postal Service facility. My Post Office
will generate an additional notice on the morning of the
third day for all parcels that have not been picked up by
customers. The carrier assigned to the customer’s delivery
address delivers the third-day notice to the
customer.
9. What is the carrier’s role?
The carrier is involved with the Parcel Select “Hold For
Pickup” process only if the customer has not picked up
the parcel within 3 days. Carriers are responsible for delivering
the notification form generated by My Post
Office. But as requested by the merchant, carriers do
not deliver Parcel Select “Hold For Pickup” parcels.
10. Is the Postal Service responsible for sending notifications
to customers informing them that they have a
parcel available for pickup at a designated Postal
Service facility?
The initial notification is the sole responsibility of the
merchant/agent. The only notification required by the
Postal Service is generated by My Post Office if the parcel
has not been picked up by the morning of the third
day.
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