Parcel Delivery
As mail volume is in a decline the parcel business is increasing steadily due to Amazon and on-line shopping that allows customers to order products on-line and the letter carrier will deliver the package to their doorstep. The USPS delivers approximately 3.1 million parcels per week with a 99% of on time delivery. Package revenues fueled by this rise in e-commerce have been a bright spot, bringing in $19.5 billion in 2017, up from $15 billion in 2015. So the future is in the delivery of parcels for the USPS that will be our bread and butter!
With that said I wanted to follow up on the proper procedure for delivering parcels to customers on your assignment. According to the M-41 (City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities) section 322.3 Parcel Post 322.31: Load parcel post directly into the vehicle from hampers or sacks. Normally separate the parcels in delivery sequence. Make a mental note of the first parcel delivery point. When this parcel has been delivered, make mental note of the next, and so on, until all parcels have been delivered. For any parcel that does not fit into the customer’s mailbox or parcel locker (when available), an attempt to deliver must be made at the customer’s door. If no one is available to receive the parcel, follow the procedures in 322.311 and 322.312. 322.311.
Section 322.311: When the Carrier Is Authorized to Leave Ordinary Parcels, parcels must not be left in an unprotected location such as a porch unless the mailer participates in the carrier release program by endorsing the package “Carrier-Leave If No Response” or the addressee has given written directions for an alternate delivery location. Examples of protected locations are a locked vestibule, locked hallway, or with the doorman of an apartment building, inside a storm door of a residence, etc. Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt, with the “It is located: ________” block completed must be left in the mail receptacle notifying the addressee of the mail left in the authorized alternate location. Parcels must not be left where adverse weather can affect them. By following the mailer’s or addressee’s instructions, the Postal Service provides customers with a more convenient way to receive parcels. Carriers are not liable for loss or theft where these instructions and postal regulations are followed. Mailers who participate in the carrier release program understand that there are areas where the Postal Service will not leave parcels for security reasons. Mailers also understand that carriers do not leave packages without protection from inclement weather. If there is not a suitable location to leave a carrier release parcel, Form 3849 must be left.
Section 322.312: When the Carrier Is Not Authorized to Leave Ordinary Parcels, when someone is usually available to receive parcels. When an ordinary or unnumbered insured parcel is not delivered on the first attempt and the carrier knows that someone at the address is usually available to receive parcels, do not leave Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt. Write the date and the carrier’s initials and route number near the address and return the parcel to the office. Place the parcel in the gurney at the carrier’s case. Attempt a second delivery on the next delivery day. If the parcel is not delivered after the second attempt, complete and leave Form 3849. Legibly endorse the form with the following information: (1) Article number (if applicable) (2) Date (3) Sender’s name (4) Type of mail (5) Article requiring signature at time of delivery (if applicable) (6) Addressee’s name and address (7) Amount due (if applicable) (8) Date and time customer can pick up article at post office. When someone is not usually available to receive parcels. If no one is available to receive the parcel and the carrier knows that someone at the address is not usually available to receive parcels, complete and leave Form 3849 (see exhibit 322.312b) after the first attempt. When the carrier does not know if someone is usually available to receive parcels, Form 3849 should be left after the first attempt. Endorse the parcel near the address, showing the reason for non-delivery, e.g., “No Response”, date delivery was attempted, and the carrier’s initials and route number. Upon returning to the office, deposit the parcel in the designated place for undelivered parcels.
Section 322.32: Redelivery of Parcels Except as provided in 322.312, make a second attempt only if requested by the addressee. If the redelivery request is made using Form 3849, take the form back to the office and give it to the accountable mail clerk. The carrier will receive the parcel from the accountable mail clerk on the day the addressee requested redelivery. If delivery is not made on the second attempt and the addressee did not authorize the parcel to be left, leave Form 3849, with the Final Notice block checked. Endorse the parcel to show a final notice was left and return the parcel to the designated place for holding undelivered parcels.
Section 323.3 Parcel Post: Many parcels may be carried with the relays. If no one is available to receive a parcel that is too large for the mail receptacle or parcel locker (when available), follow the procedures in 322.311 and 322.312. For heavy parcels, the following systems may be used: Begin the loop at the point of the parcel delivery. Bypass the stop until the loop is complete, and then drive to the delivery point with both the mail and the parcel. If a parcel is heavy, will not fit into your satchel, or requires a signed receipt, determine if someone is available at the address by ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door at the time of delivery of the rest of the mail. If no answer, follow the procedures in 322.311 and 322.312. If someone is available to receive the parcel, return with it after completing the loop.
So the next time you deliver a parcel to a customer just don’t throw the parcel on the stoop follow the procedures in the M-41 City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities manual.
I would like to wish all my union brothers and sisters a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!
