What Does A Registered Letter From Usps Look Like

Background

The U.S. Postal Service offers Registered Mail for customers sending valuable or irreplaceable items through the mail. Registered Mail service provides added protection for valuable and important customer and internal mail with bear witness of mailing and delivery.

Tracking service begins from the time the sender presents the post to the Postal Service to the point of commitment. An answerable private must sign for the Registered Mail piece each fourth dimension it changes hands and each intermediary office must gear up control logs. Registered Mail service pieces also require specific packaging and sealing methods for security and protection. When not in transit, Registered Mail pieces must be stored in a locked condom, room, or cage separated from other postal service.

During financial year 2016, the Postal Service processed [redacted] one thousand thousand pieces of Registered Mail and collected acquirement of nearly [redacted] million.

We used geographical information system mapping, insurance claims, and Registered Post volume to judgmentally select 15 post offices and two registry sections from four areas for review.

Our objectives were to review current operational controls over Registered Mail for effectiveness, follow-up on prior recommendations from a 2012 audit, and identify potential process improvements and efficiencies.

What the OIG Establish

Mail operational controls over Registered Postal service at 14 of fifteen post offices visited were not always acceptable, effective, or followed. Some of the post offices had multiple issues such every bit:

Six mail offices had safes storing Registered Mail and other accountable items that were open and unattended during business hours.

Two doors to the registry room or muzzle were open and unlocked when non in use and the safety key was non secure at one of the post offices.

One mail office'south Registered Post for daily bank deposit was not secured routinely while awaiting dispatch and remittance.

Six post offices left Registered Mail pieces unattended in an open up area.

Iv post offices did not maintain logs recording personnel access to the registry room or muzzle.

14 post offices had employees who did not complete required training courses for acceptance, transfer, and security of Registered Mail.

We besides determined that the Mail service did not complete cosmetic action on prior U.South. Postal Service Role of Inspector General report recommendations related to Registered Mail.

Specifically:

Two of three post offices in the Southern Surface area did not provide a step-past-step procedure toolkit to employees responsible for Registered Mail or complete the Registered Post compliance checklist. Southern Surface area management agreed to provide a copy of the toolkit to employees in response to a prior audit recommendation.

Two of ix post offices in the Capital Metro and Western areas did not assess vulnerability and risk associated with facilities, including those related to Registered Post. Area direction agreed to complete the assessments in response to a prior audit recommendation.

As a consequence of the problems identified, the Post is at an increased take a chance of delayed post, theft, or loss which could also increase insurance claims and customer dissatisfaction with the Registered Mail service, potentially impacting its brand.

Farther, opportunities be for post offices and registry department offices to improve the Registered Mail process and efficiencies by implementing evolving technology. These improvements should strengthen information sharing, provide more than efficient services, and minimize risks associated with unlocked cages, cabinets, or safes.

What the OIG Recommended

Nosotros recommended management verify that employees responsible for Registered Mail consummate the required training; monitor Registered Postal service operations to ensure employees comply with policies and procedures; update the manual portions of the procedure; and monitor technology to modernize the Registered Mail process.

Read full report