International Student Services

US Post Office - Berea Branch

If you live on campus, you will have a mail box to receive letters and magazines. If  you receive a package, it will be sent to the mail room, which is located directly across from the ISS Office in the Bonds Building.

Here is additional information about B-W Campus Mail.

The Berea Post Office is located at 

24 SEMINARY ST.
TEL : (440) 243-7500
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Saturday

CLOSED SUNDAY

For your convenience, do not forget these small but important details.  When addressing mail, give complete address; name on the top line, delivery address on the middle line, city, state and ZIP code  on the bottom line.

HELPFUL HINTS 

• Be sure to include the ZIP code, and if you know it, use the ZIP + 4 code.
• Post office staff can explain the rates and various ways for mailing packages.
• Private companies in the U.S. also provide delivery services. (United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx)
• If you are moving, complete the “Change your Address” form online.  NOTE: If you change your address, please inform the B-W Registrar, office of International Student Services. 
• U.S. Immigration Services requires an actual address; post office boxes (P.O. Box) are not allowed.

FIRST CLASS MAIL
First class mail ($.44) is the fastest way to send material which weights less than 11 ounces. First Class Overseas mail requires a $.98 stamp, except Mexico and Canada which costs $.75. 

THIRD & FOURTH CLASS MAIL
The only difference between third and fourth is the weight limit. If your parcel is less than 1 (one) pound  send it third class, but if it is heavier, use fourth class. You can not send letters third or fourth class.  Fourth and Third classes mail are used to send gifts and merchandise.

For mailing packages, there is a 44 lb. weight limit  for almost all countries. You can mail your packages by boat or airmail. Boat mailing is slower but cheaper than airmail ($6.55 for first two pounds, $2.10 for each additional pound).

It is very important to check with the post office before mailing your package to another country because there are different regulations  for each country. You cannot send specific materials and there are different dimensions or weight obligations.  LETTERS MAY NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PARCEL UNLESS THE POSTAGE FOR THE LETTER IS ALSO PAID.

A/O rate  is a special reduced rate for parcels less than 4 lbs. and height + length less than 36 inches. A/O rate has no insurance coverage on the package.

BOOK RATE (MEDIA MAIL)
If you need to send a book within the US, then media mail is the way to go. Media mail is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.

M-BAG
If you are looking to send your books back home, you might want to inquire about an "M-Bag." Students have found this to be the easiest and most inexpensive way sending books. M-Bags have a weight limit of 66 lb. (including the tare weight of the sack).

OTHER IMPORTANT FORMS:
Certified Mail: Certified mail  may be used to send documents to your consulate.  With certified mail, the sender gets a receipt showing that the item was received by the recipient and the addressee is required to sign for the article when it is delivered.  There is no insurance coverage.  Certified mail is transported with ordinary mail and receives no special treatment until it is given to the delivery employee.  Certified mail is available for domestic mail only.
Registered Mail: Registered mail provides additional protection for valuable and important mail. Registered mail offers insurance security, a receipt of mailing and a record of delivery which is kept on file at the post office of delivery for two years.
Customs Form (2976): This is the standard customs declaration form needed for Priority Mail International® Flat Rate Envelope, First Class Mail International, M-bags, and Matter for the Blind. In some cases, you may need Form 2976-A.
Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (2976-A); This is the standard customs declaration form needed for Express Mail International® merchandise shipments and Priority Mail International® parcels.