Parcel post is a postal service for carrying packages. The governments of the United States, Canada, and most other countries carry parcels as part of their regular postal services.
The United States established its parcel post service in 1913. Parcel post consists of mail that weighs from 1 to 70 pounds (0.45 to 32 kilograms). Items mailed through parcel post also must not exceed a certain size. The size is determined by adding the length of the parcel’s longest side and the distance around the parcel at its thickest part. The sum of these measurements must not exceed 130 inches (330 centimeters). Parcel post charges are based on the parcel’s weight and on the distance the parcel must travel.
In the United States, almost any kind of merchandise may be mailed through parcel post, including day-old live poultry, baby alligators, and bees. However, parcel post cannot be used to send explosives, materials easily set on fire, or other merchandise that might be dangerous to handle.
