If you are temporarily away from home and want your mail delivered to another address, USPS Premium Forwarding Service can provide a more organized way to receive your mail. Instead of having eligible mail forwarded piece by piece, the residential service packages your mail and sends it to your temporary address by Priority Mail on a weekly basis.
This guide explains how USPS Premium Forwarding Service works, how much it costs, what mail is forwarded, how to enroll online or at a Post Office, how to change an online order, and how Premium Forwarding compares with standard USPS mail forwarding.
Quick Answer
USPS Premium Forwarding Service Residential (PFS-Residential) is a paid temporary mail-forwarding service. USPS packages eligible residential mail and sends it to your temporary domestic address by Priority Mail, generally once a week. The current enrollment fee is $26.40 online or $28.70 at a Post Office, plus $29.70 for each week of service.
USPS Premium Forwarding Service at a Glance
Official source: USPS Premium Forwarding Services.
What Is USPS Premium Forwarding Service?
USPS Premium Forwarding Service is a paid service that gives residential and business customers more flexibility and control over where and when they receive their mail.
For residential customers, Premium Forwarding Service Residential (PFS-Residential) collects eligible mail at the local Post Office facility, packages it, and forwards it to the temporary address through Priority Mail.
The service is intended for temporary forwarding. If you are moving permanently or simply want USPS's standard forwarding option, USPS provides a separate Standard Mail Forwarding service.
How USPS Premium Forwarding Service Works
PFS-Residential works differently from ordinary piece-by-piece mail forwarding. Instead of forwarding eligible mail individually as it arrives, USPS generally collects the mail and sends it together in a weekly Priority Mail shipment.
Forwarding usually begins on the Wednesday following enrollment, and most Post Office locations send PFS-Residential shipments on Wednesdays.
Each week, USPS sends an email containing the tracking number for the Priority Mail shipment. USPS says you can receive the tracking notification even if you did not receive any mail during that week.
What Mail Does USPS Premium Forwarding Include?
Different types of mail are handled differently under PFS-Residential. USPS currently provides the following forwarding treatment:
- Registered Mail and Priority Mail Express: Immediately rerouted to the temporary address.
- Priority Mail: Immediately rerouted or included with the weekly shipment, whichever is faster.
- First-Class Mail: Forwarded weekly.
- Periodicals: Forwarded weekly.
- Marketing notices: Forwarded weekly.
- Large First-Class Mail, Media Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage packages: Automatically forwarded for free.
PFS-Residential is available for domestic addresses only. USPS states that the service is not available for APO, FPO, DPO, or Guam addresses.
USPS Premium Forwarding Service Fees
PFS-Residential has two types of charges: an enrollment fee and a weekly shipment fee. USPS currently lists the following rates:
The enrollment fees are listed by USPS as non-refundable. The weekly fee applies for each week of service whether you enroll online or at a Post Office.
How Much Does USPS Premium Forwarding Cost?
Using the current $26.40 online enrollment fee and $29.70 weekly fee, the approximate cost would be:
These examples are calculated using the current online enrollment fee and weekly shipment fee. Your actual total depends on the forwarding period you select.
How to Sign Up for USPS Premium Forwarding Service Online
USPS allows residential customers to enroll in PFS-Residential online. Online enrollment also allows you to manage your order online.
Step 1: Plan Ahead
USPS recommends planning ahead before starting Premium Forwarding Service. If you have another forwarding or Change of Address request that could conflict with the Premium Forwarding order, USPS says to cancel it.
You should also allow 7 to 10 days to receive your first Priority Mail delivery.
Step 2: Visit the USPS Premium Forwarding Website
Go to the official USPS Premium Forwarding Service Residential online enrollment system:
Start USPS Premium Forwarding Service Residential
Step 3: Sign In or Create a USPS Account
You need a free USPS.com account to complete online enrollment. Sign in to your existing account or create one if you do not already have one.
Step 4: Complete the Form
Complete the Premium Forwarding Service Residential form and provide the requested information about your forwarding address and service period.
Step 5: Review the Total
USPS says you will see a total for the entire forwarding period during the online enrollment process, but you will be charged the weekly fee during the service period.
If your plans change, USPS says you can remove or add weeks to an online request, subject to the applicable change deadlines.
How to Enroll in Premium Forwarding at a Post Office
You can also enroll in PFS-Residential at a Post Office. However, USPS states that an order created at the Post Office cannot be managed online.
USPS requires you to enroll at the Post Office where your PO Box is located.
Bring two forms of identification:
- A primary ID with a clear photo.
- A secondary ID showing proof of residence at the forwarding address.
Can You Change a USPS Premium Forwarding Order?
Yes, if you enrolled online. USPS provides several options for changing an online PFS-Residential order.
Premium Forwarding Service vs. Standard Mail Forwarding
Premium Forwarding Service and standard USPS mail forwarding are different options. Standard forwarding can be used for permanent or temporary moves, while Premium Forwarding is a paid service designed to provide a more predictable way of receiving mail while you are temporarily away.
The biggest difference is that Premium Forwarding Service is specifically designed to provide a predictable shipment schedule for temporary forwarding, while standard forwarding follows USPS's normal mail-forwarding process.
Who Should Consider Premium Forwarding Service?
PFS-Residential may be useful if you are temporarily away from your normal residence and want your mail delivered together at another domestic address.
It may be particularly useful for people who:
- Are temporarily living somewhere else.
- Are spending an extended period away from home.
- Want their eligible mail grouped into a weekly Priority Mail shipment.
- Want more control over when their mail is delivered.
Premium Forwarding Service Commercial
USPS also offers Premium Forwarding Service Commercial (PFSC) for businesses and commercial customers.
PFSC allows business customers with an active PO Box or street address to temporarily forward mail to a domestic business address using Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
Businesses can choose different forwarding frequencies, including:
- Daily, Monday through Saturday
- Weekly
- Monthly
USPS says PFSC shipments are trackable through USPS Tracking and can include packages up to 70 pounds or sacks, depending on volume.
Premium Forwarding Service Commercial Fees
USPS states that postage is charged for each commercial shipment and depends on the applicable shipment details.
Important Things to Know Before Enrolling
- PFS-Residential is a paid temporary forwarding service.
- PFS-Residential is available for domestic addresses only.
- APO, FPO, DPO, and Guam addresses are not eligible for PFS-Residential.
- The current online enrollment fee is $26.40.
- The current Post Office enrollment fee is $28.70.
- The weekly shipment fee is $29.70.
- USPS recommends allowing 7 to 10 days for the first Priority Mail delivery.
- Online enrollment allows you to manage your order online.
- Orders enrolled at a Post Office cannot be managed online.
- Different mail classes may be handled differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does USPS Premium Forwarding Service cost?
For PFS-Residential, USPS currently charges $26.40 for online enrollment, $28.70 for Post Office enrollment, and $29.70 for each week of service.
Does USPS Premium Forwarding send mail every week?
Yes. PFS-Residential generally sends eligible residential mail in a weekly Priority Mail shipment. USPS says forwarding usually begins the Wednesday following enrollment.
When does USPS Premium Forwarding start?
Forwarding usually begins on the Wednesday following enrollment. USPS recommends allowing 7 to 10 days to receive your first Priority Mail delivery.
Can I sign up for Premium Forwarding Service online?
Yes. Residential customers can enroll online through the USPS Premium Forwarding Service Residential website. Online customers can also manage their order online.
Can I enroll at a Post Office?
Yes. You can enroll at the Post Office where your PO Box is located. USPS requires two forms of identification, including a primary photo ID and secondary proof of residence at the forwarding address.
Can I manage a Post Office Premium Forwarding order online?
No. USPS states that if you enroll in PFS-Residential at a Post Office, you cannot manage that order online.
Is Premium Forwarding Service the same as standard mail forwarding?
No. Premium Forwarding Service is a paid temporary forwarding option. USPS also offers standard mail forwarding for permanent and temporary moves.
Does Premium Forwarding forward all mail?
PFS-Residential forwards eligible mail according to the mail class and USPS forwarding rules. Some items are immediately rerouted while other eligible mail is included in the weekly shipment.
Can I change my Premium Forwarding order?
Yes, if you enrolled online. USPS provides specific deadlines for cancellation, changing the start date, changing between individual and household service, and extending or shortening the number of weeks.
Can businesses use Premium Forwarding Service?
Yes. USPS offers Premium Forwarding Service Commercial for business and commercial customers. Businesses can choose daily, weekly, or monthly forwarding and use Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipments.
Final Thoughts
USPS Premium Forwarding Service can be useful when you are temporarily away from your normal address and want your eligible mail collected and sent to you on a predictable schedule.
For residential customers, the current online enrollment fee is $26.40, the Post Office enrollment fee is $28.70, and the weekly shipment fee is $29.70. Before enrolling, review your forwarding dates, destination address, and the current USPS requirements.
If you only need ordinary temporary or permanent mail forwarding, compare Premium Forwarding Service with USPS's standard forwarding option before paying for the premium service.
Official USPS Resources
Editorial note: USPS fees, forwarding rules, eligibility requirements, and service procedures can change. This article was reviewed against current official USPS information. Check the official USPS pages above for the latest requirements and pricing before enrolling.
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