Find USPS Locations: Glossary
These are definitions for common Post Office™ location types and services listed as filtering options in the Find USPS® Locations tool. When you search for a Post Office, you can use these options to narrow your search results, so the location details page will show you which of those services are available in person at a specific facility.
Location Types
Post Office
A Post Office is staffed by a Postal Service employee and has window service hours. Many Post Offices have open, after-hour lobbies with self-service kiosks and PO Box™ access.
Collection Box
Most collection boxes are freestanding mailboxes such as the familiar USPS Blue Box, special white mailboxes for prepaid Priority Mail Express® items, lobby drop-off slots, or office building mail chutes. Pickup times are posted on the box label.
Collection Box Details
Contract Postal Unit
Contract Postal Units (CPUs) are located within existing businesses. While not freestanding Post Office locations, CPUs provide a full range of USPS retail products and services at regular USPS prices.
gopost®
gopost units are automated, secured, self-service parcel lockers placed in convenient locations where you can pick up or ship packages. Find a gopost location near you.
National Retailer
A National Retailer is an Approved Postal Provider® that provides shipping and mailing services as well as sells stamps.
Self-Service Kiosk
A few kiosks are in large shopping malls. Most kiosks are in Post Office lobbies and offer many of the services available at the full-service Post Office counter. You can buy stamps, weigh packages, and print Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express shipping labels at kiosks. Bring packing tape and you can ship your items in our free boxes.
Village Post Office
A Village Post Office™ (VPO) sells a limited selection of Postal products and services. Village Post Offices are not stand-alone buildings but areas within existing businesses such as a store or library.
Definitions of USPS Services
Open or Close content below Blue Box
A Blue Box is the familiar USPS® blue painted street box you see in your community. Collection times are posted on the box label.
Open or Close content below Bulk Mail Acceptance
Generally, business customers will go to a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or a detached mail unit where you have a business mailing account to drop off a bulk mailing. USPS® associates at the facility will verify the preparation and eligibility of the mail, assess proper postage, and charge your business account with the correct postage for each mailing.
Open or Close content below Bulk Mail Account Balance
Manage your bulk mail account balance at the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) where your bulk mailing permit is held.
Open or Close content below Bulk Mail New Permit
You can obtain a bulk mail permit by either applying online through the Business Customer Gateway, if applicable, or completing PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, available from your local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU).
Open or Close content below Burial Flag
The United States Postal Service® is proud to partner with the VA to provide free burial flags for families of deceased veterans. To request a burial flag, download and fill out VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. Bring your completed form and a copy of the veteran's DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to your local Post Office™ location to submit your application and receive a burial flag.
Open or Close content below Business Reply Mail®
Business Reply Mail® (BRM) is a domestic service that allows businesses with a permit to provide customers with a convenient, prepaid method for replying to a mailing. BRM pieces can include postcards, envelopes, self-mailers, flats, and labels.
Open or Close content below Business Reply Mail New Permit
Any business mailer who wants to distribute Business Reply Mail® (BRM) must apply for and receive a permit. To apply for a BRM permit, complete Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile and submit it at the Post Office™ location that will be issuing the BRM permit number (generally, the Post Office where the Business Reply Mail will be returned to). Note that a BRM permit requires an annual fee paid by cash, check, or money order.
Open or Close content below Business Reply Mail Account Balance
Manage your Business Reply Mail® (BRM) account at the Post Office™ location where your permit is held.
Open or Close content below Call Referral
During Call Referral hours, employees at the Post Office™ facility are available to take customer phone calls.
Open or Close content below Carrier Services
Post Office™ carriers deliver and pick up mail and packages for residential and business customers along Postal routes tied to specific locations. See Post Office locations that offer Schedule a Pickup and Pickup on Demand® in their delivery areas. If you have general questions about mail delivery, visit our FAQs.
Open or Close content below Duck Stamp
The Bird Hunting Stamp is a federal license (permit) in the form of a stamp allowing the purchaser to hunt migratory birds. Duck stamps are NOT to be used as postage. Purchase these permit stamps online through The Postal Store® or at a Post Office™ retail counter.
Open or Close content below General Delivery
General Delivery is a mail service where you pick up mail that is sent to you care of a Post Office™ location. It can be used if you don't have a permanent address or need a temporary mailing address.
Open or Close content below Greeting Cards
Find Post Office™ locations that sell postage-paid greeting, birthday, special occasion, and holiday cards. Also, shop for cards online through The Postal Store®.
Open or Close content below Label Broker®
If you don’t have a printer, the Label Broker® service lets you print shipping labels at the Post Office™ counter. All you need is a Label Broker ID or QR code. A Retail Associate can help you print labels that:
- You created yourself online using our Click-N-Ship® application or a third-party provider
- Were sent to you by an online merchant (as a Label Broker ID or QR code)
When you’re ready, take your prepared package and Label Broker ID or QR code to the Post Office counter. The Retail Associate will print your label and ship your package.
Open or Close content below Label Broker® (Self-Service)
If you don’t have a printer, the Label Broker® service lets you print shipping labels at a Post Office™ Self-Service Kiosk or Rapid Dropoff Station. All you need is a Label Broker ID or QR code. You can print labels that:
- You created yourself online using our Click-N-Ship® application or a third-party provider
- Were sent to you by an online merchant (as a Label Broker ID or QR code)
Follow the instructions at the kiosk or station to print your label, put the label on your package, and take it to the counter or drop it off in the package receptacle*.
*Note: Some packages, depending on their contents, weight, shape, or size, can’t be dropped off; you must take them to the counter.
Open or Close content below Money Order (Domestic)
Find Post Office™ locations near you that sell and cash domestic money orders. Learn more about sending and receiving domestic money orders, fees, purchase limits, and more.
Open or Close content below Money Order (Inquiry)
Find Post Office™ locations to submit inquiries for missing, lost, or stolen money orders. After starting your inquiry, you will be able to check the status of your money order and inquiry progress online.
Open or Close content below Passport Appointment
Please use our online scheduler, a Post Office™ lobby self-service kiosk, or visit a Post Office retail counter to make an appointment for first-time passport and photo services. Alternatively, find a location near you with passport walk-in acceptance hours. If you are renewing your passport, you can mail it directly to the State Department. Learn more about passport services offered at USPS® locations.
Open or Close content below Passport Photo
Some Post Office™ locations take passport pictures. Schedule an appointment online or use a self-service kiosk at a Post Office. Learn more about passport services offered at USPS® locations.
Open or Close content below Passport Walk-In
Most Post Office™ locations offering passport services require you to schedule an appointment online. A few Post Office locations still offer walk-in passport services. Find a location near you with passport walk-in acceptance hours. If you are renewing your passport, you can mail it directly to the State Department. Learn more about passport services offered at USPS® locations.
Open or Close content below Philatelic Services
Find Post Office™ locations near you that sell stamps and philatelic products such as special stamps, first-day-of-issue mementos, and keepsakes. Also, shop for collectibles online in the Collector’s Zone®.
Open or Close content below Pickup Accountable Mail
Accountable mail requires the recipient’s signature to show proof of delivery or protect against loss or damages. Accountable mail includes Priority Mail Express®, Certified Mail®, Collect on Delivery, Registered Mail®, Return Receipt, and Signature Confirmation™ items, plus mail insured for more than $200.
Open or Close content below Pickup Hold Mail
A USPS Hold Mail® request will hold ALL mail (including letters and packages) at a Post Office™ location for ALL individuals at the specified address. With a USPS.com® account, you can schedule Hold Mail Service online for up to 30 days.
Open or Close content below Pickup Notice Left Mail
PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You! is the Redelivery Notice your carrier leaves when delivery was attempted but could not be completed. Schedule a Redelivery online or bring your notice with the proper form of photo identification to the Post Office™ location where your item is being held for pickup.
Open or Close content below PO Box™
PO Box™ service is a premium service offered at Post Office™ locations for a fee to residential and business customers who need more than free home delivery or general delivery. Many locations allow 24/7 PO Box access, and if a package is too large to fit in your box, we'll hold it safely for you.
Open or Close content below Priority Mail Express®
An Express USPS® collection box is a specially marked white mailbox for prepaid Priority Mail Express® items. Collection times are posted on the box label.
Open or Close content below Priority Mail International®
Priority Mail International® service is a reliable and affordable way to ship to more than 190 countries, including Canada and Australia.
Open or Close content below Self-Service Kiosk
A few kiosks are in large shopping malls. Most kiosks are in Post Office™ lobbies and offer many of the services available at the full-service Post Office counter. You can buy stamps, weigh packages, and print Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® shipping labels at kiosks. Bring packing tape and you can ship your items in our free boxes.