USPS has expanded its age-verified delivery service with the adult signature now available as adelivery option for commercial account holders and online customers who choose Express Mail,
Priority Mail, Critical Mail and Parcel Select barcoded shipping services.The new service is targeted at merchants and customers who desire greater control over deliveryof their shipments. The Adult Signature offers control over the delivery recipients of high-valuemerchandise such as pharmaceuticals or documents including legal instruments. It meets the securityand privacy concerns of the marketplace and for shipments requiring the signature of an adult bylaw.
The service requires adult age verification in the form of government-issued photoidentification from a recipient at the time of delivery. There are two types of Adult Signature.Adult Signature Required verifies the signature of a recipient who must be 21 years old or olderupon delivery. The cost is $4.75 per piece. Adult Signature Restricted Delivery verifies thesignature of the addressee (or agent with written authorisation) who must be 21 years of age orolder upon delivery. The cost is $4.95 per piece.
“It’s an effective way to ensure shipments are received by an adult or a specific adultaddressee,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products. “Age verification providesshippers and customers with control over acceptance of shipments at the point of delivery.”Available to commercial and online customers, Adult Signature can be combined with other extraservices such as insurance.
In addition, Hold For Pickup and Carrier Release delivery options are available to shippers andcustomers seeking additional control and convenience over the manner in which packages aredelivered.
Available to commercial and online customers at no cost, Hold For Pickup is a delivery optionthat allows Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail commercial parcels and Parcel Select(barcoded nonpresort and Regional Ground) shipments to be sent directly to a Post Office instead ofthe recipient’s address. The recently expanded Carrier Release option allows USPS delivery staff toleave packages bearing the “Carrier — Leave If No Response” endorsement at the delivery addresswhen no one is available to accept them.
