General information
International Registered Mail is a service that provides additional protection and security in dispatch and transfer in the United States. Other features include:
- A mailing receipt issued by the office of mailing and a delivery record maintained at the office of destination for each registered item.
- The recipient's signature is not required in the destination country.
- In the United States, Registered Mail service items are handled separately from all other mail and are kept in a secure area with restricted access. In destination countries, Registered Mail items are handled according to their own internal procedures.
- When mail is registered internationally and is inbound for the United States, it will be handled in the domestic First-Class Mail mailstream from the point that USPS obtains it until it reaches the local Postal Office responsible for mail delivery. The recipient must sign a delivery receipt at the time of delivery.
| International Registered Mail does NOT provide: |
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Is any insurance or indemnity available for International Registered Mail items?
Yes, indemnity is payable for loss, damage, or missing contents. The maximum indemnity limit for all destination countries changes each January and can be found in the International Mail Manual (IMM) section 333.2. As of January 1, 2025, that limit is $39.83. Regardless of the declared value of a registered item, claims are not paid above the indemnity limit, which USPS does not control. Also, the extra service fee for international Registered Mail is not reimbursed even if the customer receives a claim payment.
- Note: Indemnity limits are much lower for Registered Mail service items than for insured mail.
In order to begin an inquiry, which could result in an international claim, follow the steps in File a USPS Claim: International. Additional information on international inquiries can be found at International Inquiries - The Basics.
International Registered Mail service availability
International Registered Mail service can be purchased for items that weigh up to 4 pounds.
| International Registered Mail Availability |
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| Available Mail Types | Ineligible Mail Types |
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First-Class Mail International® items
- Includes Free Matter for the Blind items
First-Class Package International Service® items
- Includes Free Matter for the Blind items
Note:
Return Receipts can be purchased for First-Class Mail International letters with Registered Mail service only; See the Individual Country Listings for country-specific eligibility.
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Priority Mail Express International® items
Priority Mail International® items
M-bag service
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Prohibitions and restrictions vary by destination country. See the Individual Country Listings for country-specific information.
How much does it cost?
The price for International Registered Mail is its fee in addition to postage for the mailpiece. See Notice 123, Price List for the International Registered Mail fee). Regardless of the item's declared value, the maximum amount of indemnity payable for loss, damage, or missing contents is a set fee.
Can International Registered Mail be tracked?
No. Registered Mail service items cannot be tracked through the mailstream and will not provide updated scans. However, Registered Mail service does provide information with a scan showing the delivery status or attempted delivery information which can be retrieved in three ways:
- Go to www.usps.com. Select "USPS Tracking." By entering the tracking number shown on the mailing receipt into the lookup field, you can view the delivery status of the article.
- By calling the USPS Tracking telephone number found at Contact USPS.
- By bulk electronic file transfer for mailers who provide an electronic manifest to the United States Postal Service®.
What do Registered Mail forms and labels look like?
All Registered Mail items of U.S. origin must bear Label 200-N or Label 200. See IMM 334.13. When accepted at a Post Office™, the retail employee will affix the Registered Mail label below to the item:
