1. ADDRESSING FOR COURIER AND EXPRESS OVERNIGHT PACKAGE SERVICE.

1. Most courier services require telephone numbers for both the sender and the recipient on the routing slip. Proper forms must be completed before delivery.
2. Post office box numbers or rural routes are unacceptable addresses for courier, messenger, or specialized delivery services. Post office box numbers (PO Box) are sent thru USPS only.

2. ENVELOPES, PACKAGING, AND COURIER SELECTION.

1. Envelope contents should be secure and tamper proof.
2. Odd-sized items that require unique packaging should be wrapped and mailed consistent with envelope preparation guidelines.
3. Courier selection depends on the following factors:
   (1) Delivery destination and actual delivery time needed (65 percent of express overnight mail doesn't need to be at the destination by a specific time).
   (2) Local, regional, in-state, domestic, or international destination.
   Most commercial couriers offer the following delivery times:
             (a) next morning (10:30 a.m.),
             (b) by noon,
             (c) by afternoon (by 3:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.), and
             (d) second business day. 
   Each of these service levels has a different price schedule and not all commercial couriers go to all places within the same time frame.

3. International courier service may require special documentation or customs declarations.

4. To obtain the best possible discounts or rates, the central mail center will consolidate overnight material to DOE offices outside the area.

5. The customer is responsible for selecting the class of mail appropriate to the type of mail, DELIVERY, PICKUP, AND CUTOFF TIMES.

6. Requests for Saturday deliveries are discouraged because additional charges are incurred. If Saturday service is necessary, ensure that someone will be available to receive the material.

1. Reduce costs by using the U.S. Postal Service priority mail service on Friday for Monday delivery instead of an overnight express service.
2. The following cutoff times are standard for commercial couriers that offer overnight express or second-day service (HQ):

Courier Cutoff Times