Parcel Post Zones

The United States is divided into “units,” each one of which is numbered, as illustrated by the accompanying section of map. (See [fig. 6].) The center of each unit constitutes the center of the zones for all post offices within that unit. The first zone consists of any given unit together with all the adjoining units, even though they but touch at the corner. The second zone embraces all those units within a radius of 150 miles from the center of any given unit, and the whole of any unit, any part of which is touched by this 150-mile boundary line, is considered entirely within that zone.

Fig. 6.—This illustration shows a section of Parcel Post Zone Map for Washington, D. C., and all other post offices in Unit 1071.

[Larger map]

There is separate zone map for each unit. The accompanying [illustration] shows a section of the map for the unit in which Washington is located. The second circle shows the nominal boundary of zone 2; but owing to the fact that all units which are touched by this boundary line fall entirely within the second zone, the units which are bounded by the heavy line (outside the second curved line) are entirely within zone 2. This principle applies to all other zones; that is, any unit which is touched at any point by the boundary of a given zone lies wholly within that given zone and is so considered for the purposes of the parcel-post service.

Particular description is here given of the first and second zones because of the fact that the great bulk of the shipping of farm products by parcel post is likely to be done within these zones. The rate can be ascertained readily from the accompanying tables.

Local parcel post rates

Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage
	Cents		Cents		Cents		Cents		Cents
1	5	11	10	21	15	31	20	41	25
2	6	12	11	22	16	32	21	42	26
3	6	13	11	23	16	33	21	43	26
4	7	14	12	24	17	34	22	44	27
5	7	15	12	25	17	35	22	45	27
6	8	16	13	26	18	36	23	46	28
7	8	17	13	27	18	37	23	47	28
8	9	18	14	28	19	38	24	48	29
9	9	19	14	29	19	39	24	49	29
10	10	20	15	30	20	40	25	50	30

Fifty pounds is the weight limit for local delivery. These rates are 5 cents for the first pound and 1 cent additional for each 2 pounds or fraction thereof; they apply to any parcel-post matter that does not go beyond the jurisdiction of the mailing office.

First and second zone parcel-post rates

Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage	Pounds	Postage
	Cents		Cents		Cents		Cents		Cents
1	5	11	15	21	25	31	35	41	45
2	6	12	16	22	26	32	36	42	46
3	7	13	17	23	27	33	37	43	47
4	8	14	18	24	28	34	38	44	48
5	9	15	19	25	29	35	39	45	49
6	10	16	20	26	30	36	40	46	50
7	11	17	21	27	31	37	41	47	51
8	12	18	22	28	32	38	42	48	52
9	13	19	23	29	33	39	43	49	53
10	14	20	24	30	34	40	44	50	54

The weight limit within the first and second zones is 50 pounds. These rates apply to all points within the first and second zones, as there is no difference in rates between these two zones. A simple rule to determine the postage on any parcel not going beyond the second zone is to add 4 to the number of pounds, and the resulting number is the postage required in cents. Example: A parcel weighs 13 pounds and 11 ounces; this will require postage on 14 pounds (as any fraction of a pound is considered a full pound); 14 + 4 = 18 cents postage.

The weight limit for the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth zones is 20 pounds. Any information desired in regard to rates, zones, and other postal matters can be obtained from any post office.

Measurement Limits for Parcel-Post Mail Matter

In addition to the weight limits shown in connection with the foregoing postage tables there is a measurement limit, which is the same for all zones. This limit is that the girth (measurement around) and the length added must not exceed 84 inches. For example, a parcel 12 inches square (48 inches around) and 36 inches long would be just up to the limit, as would also a parcel 15 inches square (60 inches around) and 24 inches long. A parcel cubical in shape and 14 inches in each dimension would measure 56 inches around, and to this would be added 14 inches for length, making 70 inches, or 14 inches less than the limit.

Receipt, Insuring and C. O. D.

If desired, a receipt can be procured from the postmaster acknowledging the mailing of a parcel on the payment of 1 cent. For 3 cents a parcel may be insured against loss if not valued at more than $5.

A parcel may be sent collect on delivery for 10 cents. This also insures it for actual value not exceeding $50.