What Is The Motive Behind 13 Oz rule?
From the time this rule came into effect till date, packages that weigh 13 OZ and more with postage stamps delivered to the USPS, are mailed back to the senders. More so, even though the rule requires that you pay for an unexpected and unplanned trip to the Post office it was put in place for mainly security reasons. One of the reasons is due to the fact that postage stamps are untraceable, they do not come with the explicit details of the contents in the package, and addresses used to mail may be forged. To prevent unanimous packages that could be a danger to lives and people, the USPS instituted the 13 oz rule.
The Importance of 13 Oz Rule
Having to go directly to the post office requires you to stand in a long line with your package in your hands. And when it gets to your turn you’d be thoroughly interrogated about the contents you want to mail, your identity and address will be taken down. This way the post office can ensure a package is safe and if it is not, they’d be able to trace it back to who delivered the package.
Therefore the USPS 13 OZ Rule is very important and necessary for the safe delivery and identification of your packages. If you fail to abide by this rule, your package will remain unsent and afterward be returned to you with an instruction about the 13 oz rule.
The Reason why the USPS 13 OZ Rule Exists
Sims people consider this USPS 13 OZ Rule unnecessary and view it as a waste of time scheme pulled out by the USPS. But that is not the case, because there are legitimate reasons why the USPS does not mail out packages with only postage stamps and a weight of 13 oz. Some of these reasons are highlighted below:
This rule falls under the USPS aviation mail security rules established in 1996 in response to a terrorist abuse of the American mailing system, by using it to mail out bombs (Ted Kaczynski’s known as the Unabomber).
Packages or parcels that are mailed with only postage stamps are untraceable and unanimous. Such packages may as well be dangerous since they cannot be identified or traced back to the sender.
The rule is not foolproof but it was put in place to ensure the safety of the US mail system. And the protection of the lives of its customers and employees
Ways That You Can Avoid the USPS 13 OZ Rule
Many people become aware of this rule after they make a failed attempt to mail out a package using postage stamps. The shock they must have when they see their packages back at their doorstep with a mandatory rule that requires them to go directly to the post office to mail. But all of this can be avoided with access to the right information on the USPS 13 OZ Rule.
Instead of thinking of how you want to create time in your busy schedule to stand in a queue at the post office just to mail a package, you can look into other ways that can help you avoid the USPS 13 oz rule and get your package mailed. This way involves you purchasing and using an online shopping label instead of a regular postage stamp. To purchase one of these online shopping labels you need to provide the sender’s name, address, and even credit details. Providing such information makes it easy to track the label back to the sender. This explains why the USPS does not apply the postal rule in these cases.
What will happen to people that break USPS’ 13 Oz Rule?
Be rest assured that if you break the USPS 13 OZ Rule your package will not be mailed but it will be returned to you with added information from USPS about the 13 oz rule.
If there is no sender address attached to the package, then such package will be considered unanimous and destroyed by the postal service.
What is the new postal stamp rate for a 13 oz package?
A new postal stamp rate was issued on August 29, 2021, the postal stamp rate for packages weighing 12 oz starts at $4.50.
Conclusion
The USPS is an independent postal service agency under the federal government executive arm of the United States. The USPS 13 OZ rule was created to ensure the security and safety of the US postal service. Now packages that weigh 13 oz or more and come with postage stamps must be delivered in-person to the post office, packages that do not follow this postal rule will not be mailed out, but they will be returned to the sender or destroyed if the sender name and address is unanimous.
Where can I purchase shipping labels?
US citizens that wish to avoid the 13 oz rule and send out their packages can purchase shipping labels. These shipping labels can be purchased from the USPS’ online Click-N-Ship service or through a postal vendor authorized by the USPS.
Other ways to send packages weighing 13 oz?
Packages can be sent using labels purchased from USPS click-and-ship. Companies that continue to use a metered postage are not bound by this rule.
Can my shipping label and meter number be tracked?
Yes, this is one of the reasons that USPS does not classify these methods of mailing under the USPS 13 oz rule.
