Price hikes and slowing delivery standards are two ongoing changes that customers have come to expect from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by now, as the agency is currently in the midst of a 10-year overhaul called Delivering for America. But these are not the only adjustments being made. The USPS regularly announces more new changes affecting your mail, from different stamp designs to updated payment requirements for services. Read on to find out more about the latest updates.
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Customers can pay to pick up their mail at the post office.
iStockMost of us rely on the convenience of getting mail delivered straight to our mailbox. At-home delivery doesn't work for everyone, though, so there are people who rent a P.O. Box at their local post office instead. But even that isn't enough for some—which is why the USPS also offers the caller service option.
"Caller service is a premium service available for a fee to any customer requiring more than free carrier service or the largest installed box size, or to any customer who is required to use caller service by standard," the agency explains on its website. "The service allows a customer to pick up mail at a post office call window or loading dock when the office is open."
Of course, this premium service doesn't come without a cost. And now, the Postal Service is gearing up to change the way it accepts this fee.
The USPS is changing its caller service payment method.
ShutterstockIf you currently use the caller service or are interested in applying for it, you'll want to take note of an upcoming adjustment.
In its May 18 postal bulletin, the USPS confirmed that it is making a "change in the payment method for caller service" this summer. Starting July 1, customers will be required to transition to the Postal Service's Enterprise Payment System (EPS) in order to renew and reserve caller services.
"The Postal Service will no longer accept payments by cash, credit or debit card, check, money order, or by mail, to a postmaster," the agency explained in its new alert. The only exception to this change is federal agencies that are paying through the Intra-Governmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) system.
You may experience problems with your mail if you don't adapt to the new system.
Chainarong Prasertthai / iStockAs the USPS explains on its website, the EPS allow customers to pay for postal products and services through a singular account. This system "provides enhanced security features, centralized balance and account management, and a self-service customer experience," according to the agency.
But with the upcoming change, anyone without an EPS account will be unable to pay caller service fees going forward.
Payment for this premium mail collection option can be paid in advance for six months or an entire year. In order to renew your caller service, you must pay your fees at some point within the last 30 days of your service period.
"It is the caller’s responsibility to pay the fee on time," the USPS warns. If you miss the due date for your payment, you risk losing your service and getting your mail sent back.
"If the Post Office Caller Service fee is not paid on time, all mail to the customer will be delivered in bulk without any separations provided," the agency explains. "After 10 days of nonpayment, mail will be delivered to the street address if possible or we will treat mail as undeliverable and return the mail to senders. Caller Service will be terminated and numbers will be available for issue to other customers."
The USPS is also introducing a fun upgrade starting today.
USPSNot all changes are so serious. The Postal Service also regularly updates its stamps, and there's a new arrival today.
In a May 19 press release, the USPS announced the release of its newest collection, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The series includes 20 stamps that feature photographs of different endangered animals found within the U.S.
"There’s a story behind every stamp, just as there is a story behind every one of these animals," Peter Pastre, the Postal Service’s government relations and public policy vice president, said at the collection's dedication ceremony. "We hope the Endangered Species stamps tell the story of hard work, humanity and hope, while raising awareness about endangered animals and wildlife, and the efforts to protect them."
The Endangered Species Forever stamps are now available for customers to purchase. But that's not the only thing the USPS is doing to highlight the ESA and the continued need to protect endangered animals.
"From May 19 to June 9, all First-Class Mail bearing postage stamps will be postmarked with an image of a black-footed ferret and the words: 'Protect Endangered Species.'," the agency announced in its release.
