Terms of Service and Accessibility
Terms of Service
Any person accessing this site agrees to the following:
Material on this site is the copyrighted property of the United States Postal Service® (Postal Service™). All rights reserved. The information and images presented here may not under any circumstances be reproduced or used without prior written permission. Users may view and download material from this site only for the following purposes: (a) for personal, non-commercial home use; (b) where the materials clearly state that these materials may be copied and reproduced according to the terms stated in those particular pages; or (c) with the express written permission of the Postal Service. In all other cases, you will need written permission from the Postal Service to reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute or publicly display material from this website. Users agree not to use the site for sale, trade or other commercial purposes. Users may not use language that is threatening, abusive, vulgar, discourteous or criminal. Users also may not post or transmit information or materials that would violate rights of any third party or which contains a virus or other harmful component. The Postal Service reserves the right to remove or edit any messages or material submitted by users.
The Postal Service is not responsible for material submitted to the Postal Service or posted in chat rooms or on bulletin boards by site users. By communicating with the Postal Service, however, users grant the Postal Service permission to use any information, suggestions, ideas, drawings or concepts communicated for any purpose the Postal Service chooses, commercial, public or otherwise, without compensation whatsoever.
The materials in this site are provided “as-is” and without warranties of any kind either express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, the Postal Service disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Postal Service does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate or reliable or that the site will be free of errors or viruses.
Under no circumstances, including but not limited to negligence, will the Postal Service be liable for special or consequential damages that result from the use or inability to use the materials in this site. In no event shall the Postal Service’s liability to a user for any loss, damage or claim exceed the amount paid by the user for accessing this site.
The Postal Service offers links to, and listings of, various third-party websites for the convenience of its customers, and, unless otherwise expressly indicated, no affiliation between the Postal Service and an entity linked to or listed is intended. Except where indicated, the Postal Service does not endorse any company or product not offered by the Postal Service including the advertisers on linked websites or on the websites of listed entities. When linking to such third-party sites, the Postal Service follows Web-linking and exit page guidelines as set forth in USPS Management Instruction AS-885. The Postal Service does not monitor sites linked to and the use of any such link is strictly at the user’s own risk. In no event shall the Postal Service be liable for special or consequential damages that result from activity occurring on non-Postal Service websites when a user links to such site from USPS.com.
This agreement is effective until terminated by either party. You may terminate this agreement at any time by discontinuing your use of the Postal Service site and destroying all materials obtained from it.
Note: United States Postal Service® , Postal Service™, Post Office™, StampsOnline™, Priority Express Mail®, Priority Mail®, Delivery Confirmation™, First-Class Mail®, Global Priority Mail®, Parcel Post®, Global Express Guaranteed™, ZIP Code™, the Eagle Logo, Fly Like An Eagle® and trade dress of USPS packaging are trademarks of the United States Postal Service. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Section 508 Accessibility
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service complies with all provisions of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Click here for more information.
Privacy Policy
Scope
This statement policy applies to USPS® customers and usps.com visitors, unless a separate privacy notice is prominently displayed.
Uses
For over two centuries, the Postal Service™ has valued your privacy, and built a brand that customers trust.
Our privacy policy gives you information about our practices when you provide personal information to us, whether collected online or offline, or when you visit us online to browse, obtain information, or conduct a transaction. Personal information may include your name, email, mailing and/or business address, phone numbers, or other information that identifies you personally. You are not required to register or provide personal information to visit our website.
- Key aspects of our privacy policy include:
- We do not sell or rent your personal information to outside parties.
- We do not market other products or services to you without your consent.
- We do not use web analysis tools (e.g., cookies) to identify you personally without your express consent.
Notice of Our Privacy Practices
The following describes the ways we collect information from you, and the protections that apply to your information.
The Postal Service collects personal information from you and from your transactions with us. We use information we collect to provide you certain products and services, and if needed, to respond to your inquiries or requests for information. We occasionally collect data about you from financial entities and from commercial sources to perform verification services. We do this, for example, to prepopulate data fields in call centers to facilitate transactions, or to market products to consumers who have agreed to receive such messages.
Privacy Act Rights
The Postal Service follows the privacy requirements of the Privacy Act, which protects your personal information that is maintained in, what is called, a system of records. A system of records is a file, database, or program from which personal information is retrieved by name or other personal identifier. In other words, the Privacy Act applies when we use your personal information to know who you are and to interact with you, such as when you provide information to request a product or service, register on usps.com, or submit an inquiry or complaint. The Privacy Act provides comprehensive protections for your personal information. This includes how information is collected, used, disclosed, stored, and discarded.
When we collect and maintain personal information from you offline, a Privacy Act Notice will be provided. The following is the Privacy Act Notice for personal information collected online:
Privacy Act Notice: Your information will be used to provide the requested products, services, or information. Collection is authorized by 39 USC 401, 403, and 404. Providing the information is voluntary, but if not provided, we may not process your transaction. We do not disclose your information to third parties without your consent, except to facilitate the transaction, to act on your behalf or request, or as legally required. This includes the following limited circumstances: to a congressional office on your behalf, to financial entities regarding financial transaction issues, to a USPS auditor, to entities, including law enforcement, as required by law or in legal proceedings, to domestic and international customs relating to outgoing international mail pursuant to federal law and agreements, and to contractors and other entities aiding us to fulfill the service (service providers).
Information Collected from Emails and Online Forms
Many of our programs and websites allow you to send us an email. We will use the information you provide to respond to your inquiry, provide information, or to fill your order for postal products and services in which you have expressed an interest.
Remember that email may not necessarily be secure against interception. If your email communication is very sensitive, or includes information such as your bank account, charge card, or Social Security Number, you should send it by mail unless the website indicates the particular site is secured.
View the Postal Service’s full privacy policy here.
Asset Forfeiture
Legal Notices
Property that is seized by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service through asset forfeiture is noticed publicly online at Forfeiture.gov. These notices inform individuals, who may have an ownership interest, of their ability to file a claim or a petition for remission or mitigation.
For a list of property seized by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, click here.
For information regarding Asset Forfeiture, visit the Department of Justice.
Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, reflects our nation’s commitment to open government. It gives you the right to access information from federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service—including us, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
In order to support the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, please know that we are social distancing and wearing masks to keep safe. During this challenging time, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains committed to receiving and processing all FOIA requests in a timely manner. Please continue to send your FOIA requests to us by email, mail, or fax. Please also include your email address and/or telephone number with your FOIA request in case we need to contact you immediately concerning your request.
Submit a FOIA Request
Your FOIA request must be in writing, must be a request for records and must be labeled “Freedom of Information Act Request.” First party requests must be accompanied by a Certification of Identity.
Click here to print a Certification of Identity to accompany your request.
Mail FOIA Requests to:
MANAGER FOIA UNIT
U.S. POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE
475 L’ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 3301
WASHINGTON, DC 20260-2101
Email foia@uspis.gov
Phone (202) 268-7004
Fax (202) 268-4538
Social Media Guidelines
The United States Postal Inspection Service recognizes the value and importance in engaging with the public to communicate valuable information and to exchange relevant and constructive facts and opinions. These guidelines are designed to allow for the free flow of discussion and communication while providing a framework to protect the USPIS; its employees and contractors; and the public at large.
Click HERE to review the Inspection Services’ Social Media Guidelines.