UPS Mail Innovations®
Looking for mail solutions that require less prep time, provide consistent transit times, reliable delivery and better postal rates? We're a mailing services provider that can pick up, process and provide interim transportation of all your mail and parcels to both domestic and international locations.
A Different Way to Do Mail
Mail Innovations Services
We have the infrastructure, systems and reach to transport mail and parcels through the entire mailing cycle. Whether you're mailing across the country or the world, we integrate with postal systems for final mile delivery. We can provide cost and performance improvements, too.
Domestics Mail Services
Consistently achieve transit times comparable to First Class Mail® plus one day, utilizing the extensive UPS Mail Innovations network, and our unique working relationship with the U.S. Postal Service®. We handle functions—such as labeling and sorting qualified mail
—normally done by USPS and pass the savings to you. Through our national network of processing facilities, proprietary software and technology, we can process and transport domestic mail to its point of induction within 24-48 hours of pickup.
International Mail Services
We can help reduce the complexity of doing business globally with easier, more affordable international mail solutions. We handle both priority and economy class qualified mail, from processing to transportation, so you can save money and improve delivery times. We handle shipments to postal authorities in more than 200 countries, with international options that can be customized to your specific mailing needs.
Returns Mail Services
Need a more efficient, economical returns solution? Try UPS Mail Innovations® Returns. Leveraging the USPS® for “first-mile" package retrieval, we can pick up, sort, transport and deliver a prepaid return package right back to the shipper. With easy-to-use labels, multiple drop-off points—including residential mailboxes, postal collection boxes, local post offices, authorized postal service outlets or a scheduled pickup through usps.com—consistent transit times and tracking through ups.com, returns are a breeze.
Innovative Mailing Ideas for Your Business
Improved process efficiency optimized operational flow and expedited transportation for just about any mailer.
Financial Services
We help you comply with the stringent regulations and guidelines governing induction of financial mailings into the postal system. Qualified mail* includes enrollment packets; forms; information kits; membership packets; prospectuses; proxy notices, and welcome kits.
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Insurance & Healthcare
Accountability matters. We can provide increased accuracy and acceptance rates by the USPS, plus CASS certification for automated flats. Qualified mail* includes enrollment packets; forms; insurance benefits; provider listings; questionnaires; outreach programs, and more.
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Retail
When cost-control matters, you can efficiently mail lightweight products (under 1 lb.) to achieve desired margins and delivery time. Qualified mail* includes advertisements; circulars and direct marketing; apparel and cosmetics; catalogs; CDs; DVDs; invitations; product samples; video games, etc.
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Professional Services
Our growing network of 22 mail processing facilities helps direct mail, advertising, accounting and other services cost-effectively mail even large, non-standard-size pieces or other complex projects. Qualified mail* includes: brochures; CDs; media guides; news releases/kits; newsletters; surveys, etc.
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Travel & Tourism
In a rapidly changing business, cost efficiency means profitability. We can help you save up to 25% on mailing costs while ensuring First-Class® comparable service. Qualified mail* includes calendars; information packets; flyers; marketing materials; photographs; promotional items; travel brochures, and more.
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Government
We provide enhanced security for sensitive government mailings, and all our key people have U.S. Postal Services Mail Quality Control (MQC) certification. We offer bonded drivers, vehicles and containers that can be sealed, and security tagged, state-of-the-art surveillance and monitoring equipment. Qualified mail* includes announcements; booklets; environmental notices; forms; legal documents; manuals; questionnaires; surveys, etc.
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Education
Whether it's sending time-sensitive material to large groups or bulky educational supplies, mailings can be complicated and costly. All our key people have U.S. Postal Services Mail Quality Control (MQC) certification and are fully trained to assist with qualified mail* including: admission packets; course schedule booklets; new student orientation booklets; surveys; newsletters; CDs; catalogs, and more.
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See the Scope of Our Network
More than 2 million square feet of processing space in 22 US locations.
Got Questions?
From key terms to frequently asked questions to support links, click the icons for more information.
Glossary of Terms
Key mailing terms to help with your transition process and invoicing.
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Worldship Installation/ Integration Support
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Domestic Mailing FAQs
Mailing in the U.S. Your questions answered.**
When will I receive my mail piece?
UPS Mail Innovations inducts your mail piece into the U.S. Postal Service within 24-48 hours of processing. The U.S. Postal Service will then deliver the mail piece within one to five days.
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Why does the Post Office have my UPS Mail Innovations package?
UPS Mail Innovations works with the U.S. Postal Service, providing the pick-up, processing and interim transportation of mail. Then, final delivery of your package is made by domestic and international postal services.
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What number do I use to track my mail piece?
You can use the package ID, tracking number, or U.S. Postal Service IMPB. Track your package here.
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I’m a business. How do I set up an account to ship with UPS Mail Innovations?
Please submit your contact information here and our team will help you set up an account.
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Is a signature required by the recipient for delivery confirmation service?
No, a signature is not required or offered for items delivered through UPS Mail Innovations.
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Can an address be changed after it enters the UPS Mail Innovations and/or USPS network?
Only the USPS, through a valid change-of-address order, can redirect the mail to its new address. Typically, the package will only be forwarded if the company that shipped it has requested to have the mail forwarded.
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Can customers insure their mail?
UPS Mail Innovations does not offer insurance, however insurance may be available through the original shipping company.
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Why can't I see where my mail piece is in the U.S. Postal Service system?
Once a package enters the USPS system, tracking updates are only available for those mail pieces utilizing a USPS Delivery Confirmation service.
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Does UPS Mail Innovations deliver to P.O. boxes, APO, FPO, DPO, Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. Territories?
Yes. UPS Mail Innovations delivers to P.O. boxes, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and the DPO (Diplomatic Post Office). Please note that APO, FPO and DPO shipments may require a CN22 customs form.
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I see my package is not moving. What can I do?
Check back later to see additional details. If a prolonged period of time passes, please reach out to the company that shipped the package. Weather and other service-impacting factors may cause delays with some mail-piece delivery.
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International Mailing FAQs
Mailing around the world. Your questions answered.**
What do I need to know about changes to the European Union Value-added Tax (VAT) in 2021?
Effective July 1, 2021, the European Commission has updated some of the rules for VAT e-commerce, launching an “import one stop shop” (IOSS) for online retailers to declare and pay duties and getting rid of the low-value consignment relief policy that previously exempted packages valued at under €22 from VAT.
For more information about the new rules and what they mean for your business, visit https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/vat-e-commerce_en or contact your UPS representative.
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How long does it take for international mail to be delivered?
It depends on the service level chosen. Average time-in-transit for Priority Service is 4-8 business days from when mail is exported from a Mail Innovations facility. Standard Service averages 7-14 business days from when mail is exported from a Mail Innovations facility.
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Will I have to pay customs fees to receive my international shipment?
The in-country postal authority will leave notification if a VAT/GST or duty will need to be paid. The recipient will need to refer to the alternative tracking number as the reference number when contacting their local postal authority.
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What is the alternative tracking number for international shipments?
An alternative tracking number is a secondary tracking number used as a Customs identification number and, in some cases, can be used to track with the destination postal authority. It can be found at UPS.com.
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What does DDU for international shipments mean?
Delivery Duties Unpaid. This indicates that the recipient of the mail piece is responsible for paying any VAT/GST or duties assessed on the mail piece.
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Can UPS Mail Innovations contact a Customs agency to clear an international shipment?
No, UPS Mail Innovations does not contact Customs to clear, pay or return a package.
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Who delivers the international mail packages?
The postal authority in the country of destination will deliver the international mail piece.
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What does DDP for international mean?
Delivery Duties Paid. This type of service allows for prepayment of VAT/GST or duties. Currently, UPS Mail Innovations only has this option to Canada.
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What is the Canada Duty and Tax Chargeback program for international shipments?
This enables the U.S. sender, rather than the Canadian recipient, to pay any duties and taxes assessed by the Canadian Customs authority.
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For international country codes, consult our guide.
*It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that mail pieces constitute qualified mail under the USPS Domestic Manual then in effect. For definitions of qualified mail, check Qualified Domestic Mail or Qualified International Mail
**If you don't see the answer to your question below, please reach out to the company that shipped your package through Mail Innovations for additional details. UPS Mail Innovations uses an index-based surcharge that is adjusted monthly. View our Service Terms and Conditions to access detailed information on this process.