I wrote the following mostly as a reminder to myself, but others may find it useful. Shipping internationally is not discussed. All dollar values are current as of June 2016. Introduction In the U.S., registered mail provides a safe way to transport coins. Although it's not necessarily the quickest or cheapest way, it's widely available. Private delivery companies provide an alternative, but insurance from a separate company may be needed. Not all post offices can handle registered mail because some smaller post offices don't have adequate security for it. With registered mail, you are paying for a more secure method of transit and for insurance up to $50,000. Tracking and signature-required are included. Coins should be insured for their full value however they're shipped. It's possible to obtain up to $5,000 of USPS insurance without using registered mail, and it may be cheaper than registered mail if the value is relatively low. $500 insurance for non-registered is $6.65, whereas registered would be $14.55. However, for $5,000 insurance, non-registered is $55.00, but registered is only $22.30! The breakeven point is around $2,000. For registered mail, the clerk writes the value of the shipment on the form and that will be the insurance amount. The registration cost is determined by that value. If you don't use registered mail, pay the little bit for tracking and signature-required. If you ship coins frequently, private insurers are worth investigating. With private insurance, registered mail may or may not be useful; this complicated subtopic won't be discussed further. Be sure you have photographs of both sides of all coins prior to shipment. If the coins are in slabs, be sure that photos include both sides of the entire slab. I've filed USPS insurance claims for lost or damaged non-registered mail, and it went smoothly. I've never had a to file a claim for lost or damaged registered mail. Whatever the insurance, postage costs will be added to it. Registered mail travels at its own speed, often slowly, because of security precautions. If it needs to be there in a hurry, don't use registered mail. Coins should be in a small inner box or boxes with padding. The smaller box(es) should go in a sturdy, not-too-worn outer box along with padding and a document or label that includes the "to/from" addresses. Because submitting registered mail can take some time at the counter, don't go into the post office with it just before closing. Some post offices allow registered mail to be submitted at a machine. Unless you are very sure that you have prepared the package correctly, it's better to deal with a clerk. If the coins are worth $1,000 or more, always go to a clerk for submitting the package. The clerk should place the package in the safe before you leave. Rules and Procedure: 1. Sealing tape must be brown, heavy duty paper, and at least 2" wide. Water-activated adhesive is traditional, but self-stick is available, faster, and more convenient. Intertape (Intertape Polymer Group, aka IPG) 9341 Kraft Paper Carton Sealing Tape is self-stick and available from Amazon and elsewhere and works well. Retain the Intertape tape roll label or a copy of the ad. Some postal clerks are not familiar with it. Clear tape and strapping tape can be used initially as needed, but the outer covering of all seams must the sealing tape mentioned above. "All seams" means corners where the box was fastened together as well as the flaps. Postal clerks must stamp and/or initial all seams, which is why paper tape must be used. Ink doesn't stick well to most plastic tapes. Some clerks will supply or (less likely) apply sealing tape, but don't count on it. Do it yourself in advance. 2. Package cannot have any writing, printing, stickers, color stripes, ads, decorations, etc. other than the to/from addresses showing. Remove stickers by peeling if feasible. However, the quickest way to prevent the offenders from showing is to cover them with sealing tape. 3. Address labels cannot be used. To/from addresses must be written directly on the package, either on the bare package wall or on sealing tape. Fine-tip ink markers do not work well on the Intertape tape mentioned above because it has a somewhat slick surface. A regular size, black Sharpie works fine. Write the "from" address in the upper left corner and the "to" address bottom center. "To" address should be in larger font than the "from" address. 4. Fill-out the registered mail form before getting to the clerk. Take some extras home for next time. The upper half of the form, including the declared value, is to be filled-in by the clerk. 5. Always take a roll of sealing tape , tape roll label or ad, scissors, and a black Sharpie to the post office with the package. Post offices and clerks within a post office can vary on how they interpret the rules. Be prepared to alter or redo the packaging. Carrying the above items along with a shipping box to out-of-town venues where you might obtain coins can be useful. Sending coins home via registered mail is likely safer than carrying them yourself, and they will be insured. USPS often has a temporary post office at major shows.
I use the sharpie method a good percentage but address labels can be used. I have used those many times and CAC uses them as well on everything they ship out registered. I believe NGC also uses labels as well on their registered packages.
Yup. I've sent and received registered packages with address labels. But, I submitted two last Thursday with address labels and was told they weren't going anywhere unless the labels came off. Not the first time that's happened. Always need to go to the PO prepared to alter the package. Cal
I used to get in trouble every time I went to the window. It's probably good they are so picky. I have never had one go missing or be messed with.
Great overview! Thanks for taking the time to write it. I used registered mail for the first time recently to do a CAC shipment. The only two things I would add are: 1) don't believe the clerk when they give you a delivery estimate. As you said, it moves slowly but is very reliable. My box took a week to get there and three weeks to get back. 2) don't believe the tracking information. It isn't updated frequently.
