USPS SSA STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Registered Mail - ANSWER-First-Class and Priority service only.
Most secure service the post office offers.
$50,000 insurance and free tracking included.
International Shipping/Mailing Methods (5) - ANSWER-Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)
Priority Mail Express International (PMEI)
Priority Mail International (PMI)
First Class Package International
First Class Mail International
Balloon Price - ANSWER-- Applies to Retail Ground (all zones)
- Applies to Priority Mail (zones 1-4)
- Weighs under 20 pounds
- Measures more than 84" (but less than 108") in total length and girth.
Oversize Price - ANSWER-- Applies to Retail Ground only
- More than 108" but less than 130" in total length and girth
Dimensional Weight Pricing - ANSWER-- Applies to Priority Mail
- Addressed to zones 5-9
- Measures (L x W x H) over one cubic foot or 1,728 cubic inches
Parcel Return Service - ANSWER-This allows customers to return merchandise to merchants
without having to pay postage (postage has already been prepaid by the merchant).
Priority Mail Express - ANSWER-- Guaranteed 1-2 day delivery (domestic)
- Includes $100 insurance and free tracking
Priority Mail - ANSWER-- 1-3 day delivery
- Includes tracking and $50 worth of insurance
- For domestic packages weighing up to 70 lbs and 108"
,Domestic Mail - ANSWER-Consists of items sent within the United States, its territories,
possessions, APO's, FPO's, DPO's, and the UN.
Mailing Services (6) - ANSWER-Services for which USPS does not have to compete for
business (Market Dominant).
- First Class Mail
- Periodicals
- USPS Marketing Mail (EDDM)
- Media Mail
- Library Mail
- Extra Services
Shipping Services (6) - ANSWER-Services where the USPS competes with other companies,
such as UPS and FedEx.
- Priority Mail Express
- Priority Mail
- First Class Package Service
- Retail Ground
- Parcel Return Service
- International Mail
S.O.L.E.R. - ANSWER-Squarely face the person
Open your posture
Lean towards the sender
Eye contact
Relax while attending
First Class Package Service (Retail) - ANSWER-3-5 Days for delivery
Must weigh 13 oz. or less
Includes Tracking
Periodicals - ANSWER-Items published at least 4 times a year from a known publisher.
, USPS Marketing Mail (includes EDDM) - ANSWER-Consists of printed matter, flyers,
advertising, catalogs, newsletters and small packages.
- Must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds per mailing
Certified Mail Service - ANSWER-- Provides customers with proof of mailing and the date and
time the item was delivered or delivery was attempted.
- Limited Tracking
- Legally Binding
Collect on Delivery (COD) - ANSWER-- Used to mail merchandise for which the mailer has not
yet been paid.
- Articles are covered against loss, damage, rifling, and failure to remit fees.
- Indemnity coverage up to $1,000.
- Requires a five-part form.
PS Form 3811
PS Form 3811-A
Electronic - ANSWER-The three types of Return Receipts:
- Return Receipt
- Return Receipt After Mailing
- Electronic Return Receipt
PS Form 3816, a five part form used for this type of extra service. - ANSWER-Form for COD
(Collect on Delivery)
G.I.S.T. - ANSWER-Greet
Inquire
Suggest
Thank
When do we ask this: "Does this item contain anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially
hazardous such as lithium batteries, perfume, or mercury?" - ANSWER-We ask this whenever
we weigh an item on the scale.
"If you weigh it, you say it."
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Registered Mail - ANSWER-First-Class and Priority service only.
Most secure service the post office offers.
$50,000 insurance and free tracking included.
International Shipping/Mailing Methods (5) - ANSWER-Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)
Priority Mail Express International (PMEI)
Priority Mail International (PMI)
First Class Package International
First Class Mail International
Balloon Price - ANSWER-- Applies to Retail Ground (all zones)
- Applies to Priority Mail (zones 1-4)
- Weighs under 20 pounds
- Measures more than 84" (but less than 108") in total length and girth.
Oversize Price - ANSWER-- Applies to Retail Ground only
- More than 108" but less than 130" in total length and girth
Dimensional Weight Pricing - ANSWER-- Applies to Priority Mail
- Addressed to zones 5-9
- Measures (L x W x H) over one cubic foot or 1,728 cubic inches
Parcel Return Service - ANSWER-This allows customers to return merchandise to merchants
without having to pay postage (postage has already been prepaid by the merchant).
Priority Mail Express - ANSWER-- Guaranteed 1-2 day delivery (domestic)
- Includes $100 insurance and free tracking
Priority Mail - ANSWER-- 1-3 day delivery
- Includes tracking and $50 worth of insurance
- For domestic packages weighing up to 70 lbs and 108"
,Domestic Mail - ANSWER-Consists of items sent within the United States, its territories,
possessions, APO's, FPO's, DPO's, and the UN.
Mailing Services (6) - ANSWER-Services for which USPS does not have to compete for
business (Market Dominant).
- First Class Mail
- Periodicals
- USPS Marketing Mail (EDDM)
- Media Mail
- Library Mail
- Extra Services
Shipping Services (6) - ANSWER-Services where the USPS competes with other companies,
such as UPS and FedEx.
- Priority Mail Express
- Priority Mail
- First Class Package Service
- Retail Ground
- Parcel Return Service
- International Mail
S.O.L.E.R. - ANSWER-Squarely face the person
Open your posture
Lean towards the sender
Eye contact
Relax while attending
First Class Package Service (Retail) - ANSWER-3-5 Days for delivery
Must weigh 13 oz. or less
Includes Tracking
Periodicals - ANSWER-Items published at least 4 times a year from a known publisher.
, USPS Marketing Mail (includes EDDM) - ANSWER-Consists of printed matter, flyers,
advertising, catalogs, newsletters and small packages.
- Must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds per mailing
Certified Mail Service - ANSWER-- Provides customers with proof of mailing and the date and
time the item was delivered or delivery was attempted.
- Limited Tracking
- Legally Binding
Collect on Delivery (COD) - ANSWER-- Used to mail merchandise for which the mailer has not
yet been paid.
- Articles are covered against loss, damage, rifling, and failure to remit fees.
- Indemnity coverage up to $1,000.
- Requires a five-part form.
PS Form 3811
PS Form 3811-A
Electronic - ANSWER-The three types of Return Receipts:
- Return Receipt
- Return Receipt After Mailing
- Electronic Return Receipt
PS Form 3816, a five part form used for this type of extra service. - ANSWER-Form for COD
(Collect on Delivery)
G.I.S.T. - ANSWER-Greet
Inquire
Suggest
Thank
When do we ask this: "Does this item contain anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially
hazardous such as lithium batteries, perfume, or mercury?" - ANSWER-We ask this whenever
we weigh an item on the scale.
"If you weigh it, you say it."
