11 FAQs about USPS with COVID-19: Impacts to Your Campaign

As a direct mail provider, we are receiving tons of questions about how USPS is operating with COVID-19 and the recent statewide stay-at-home order. We have created this article for you to learn the answers to these commonly asked questions. Continue reading to get answers to the frequently asked questions about USPS during this difficult time and how it might impact your direct mail campaign.

11 FAQs about USPS with COVID-19:

1. Is USPS still open? 

Yes, they are still open. The United States Postal Service is an essential, federally run business and is operating at full speed during times of emergency.

2. Is there a USPS point of contact person businesses can work with to help their mail contingency plans?

Yes, however, managed accounts should continue to work with their designated postal service representative. If your business or partner needs to shut down its operations, then you should contact your Business Service Network (BSN) contact, sales contact or their local Business Mail Entry to discuss.

3. Have the USPS services been compromised due to COVID-19?

No, the USPS continues to process mail to meet the needs of their service standards.

4. For Hold Mail options, can businesses provide a temporary alternate delivery address?

Yes, businesses may contact their local postmaster or station manager for temporary changes to their delivery address.

5. Can mail be held at the Post Office for pickup?

Yes, however, USPS has extended the hold policy to 30 days for closed businesses.

6. Can I ship hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes?

Yes, but you must follow USPS Protocol. For example, use USPS Retail Ground, Parcel Select, or Parcel Select Lightweight when shipping such items. These services are only available through your local branch.

Most disinfectant products contain alcohol and are flammable, which means they must be shipped and handled as hazardous matter (HAZMAT) in the mail. It is prohibited to send these products by International Mail including APO/FPO/DPO (military) destinations.

7. How is USPS handling claims during this pandemic?

People and businesses who required to bring damaged articles to their local post offices to have their claims approved, will now have 90 days instead of 30 days.

8. How does COVID19 impact the distribution of Passports?

USPS will conduct all passport application services by appointment only. Walk-ins are no longer accepted due to USPS’s efforts to flatten the curve of the virus and to protect their staff. Due to this, the Department of State advises the possibility of delays to regular passport delivery times.

Only regular passport applications are accepted, while expedited passport application processing are not offered unless it is life-threatening.

9. Are there any changes to procedures for Drop Ship Mail?

No, USPS has reported there are no changes.

10. Can the virus spread through mail?

No. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates there is no evidence COVID-19 can be spread through mail.

11. How does COVID-19 impact my direct mail campaign?

Every direct mail campaign is different. We suggest contacting your Modern Mail representative as well as CCing info@modmail.com on any questions you have about your campaign. As of right now, we are operating normally with limited staff and business hours.

Please rest assured your direct mail campaign will continue as planned and we will let you know about any changes to your campaign. Remember, if you are sending anything over 10 MGs, please upload it to http://www.modmail.com/upload or we will not receive it.

Additional Resources

To read the recent electronic newsletter from the USPS Headquarters, click here.

For a more extensive list of FAQs about USPS, please visit this site: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Business-Customers#claims

We understand how challenging this time must be for local businesses. If you have any direct mail marketing requests or questions, we encourage you to contact us. Above all, we are here to help you. If you have any more FAQs about USPS with COVID-19, please comment below.