General

What is Postmarked Email?

Postmarked Email is a special class of email, protected by the U.S. Postal Service, with the same legal significance as paper mail.

How will the USPS^® help create trusted email?

USPS has developed an extensive and growing network of public and private partners to establish a truly trusted class email. Postmarked Email, protects the authenticity, security, and enforceability of every message. Only verified senders are capable of sending on Postmarked Email’s closed loop system.

How does Postmarked Email work?

Individual outgoing email messages from verified senders are specially imprinted with secure "tokens" that identify a Postmarked Email. These tokens, protected by the USPS EPM™, allow receivers to verify the authenticity of the message. Once verified, email messages are afforded privilege to bypass spam filters, display a special trust icon, and fully render in recipients inboxes.

Is Postmarked Email a replacement for existing email?

No, Postmarked Email improves email in a variety of ways. We guarantee authenticity and reputability of all Postmarked Email senders. The U.S. Postal Service provides legal significance and enforcement to a trustworthy system with trustworthy participants. Because the U.S. Postal Service provides such trust you can offer your consumers a more robust and user-friendly email experience. Embedded media, smart forms, or file attachments are some of the advanced services available.

What is the legal significance of Postmarked Email?

In some cases Postmarked Email has the same legal status of first class (or certified or registered) mail; it goes far beyond that though. A well-established body of federal law exists which supports the USPS and its operations and services. The USPS EPM™ conforms to statutes and regulations including U.S.C. Title 18, and U.S.C. Title 39. Bringing the trust and legal protections of the USPS EPM™ lets you communicate electronically with the confidence of paper mail.

What kind of legal protections do you get with Postmarked Email?

When an EPM^® is applied to an electronic transaction or record it falls directly under the protection of the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The United States Postal Inspection Service protects the integrity of USPS operations and is authorized to investigate a variety of criminal activity. Any attempt to criminally interfere with the operation of the USPS EPM™ service may be subject to the investigation and prosecution under several federal statutes.

The USPIS has jurisdiction to investigate:

• Criminal conduct in which the Postal Service is an actual or intended victim.
• Criminal conduct that directly affects electronic messages conveyed by the Postal Service and the counterfeiting or misuse of any electronic postmarks used by the Postal Service.
• Criminal conduct directed against any computer, computer system, communication system, delivery system, payment system or other similar property owned or leased by or provided to the Postal Service.

Why do we need the Postal Service in email?

Email is facing a serious problem that could threaten its ability to remain a viable communications medium. Phishing and other email fraud have created a dire situation estimated to cost the US economy over $100 billion annually in monetary and non-monetary losses to both consumers and businesses. Amazingly, this figure continues to grow at triple digit rates.

The USPS has a two and a quarter century track record of defining and developing trusted communication. By understanding who the participants of the program are it becomes impossible for bad actors to exploit frauds anonymously. Without anonymity, all participants of the program become accountable for their actions and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service enforces this accountability.

Eligibility

Who qualifies to send Postmarked Email?

To send Postmarked Email, a commercial or non-profit sender must qualify by meeting three conditions. Our accreditation process is stringent to ensure only legitimate and reputable commercial and government senders can send Postmarked Email. First, senders must adhere to best practices, such as providing a transparent mechanism for consumers to opt-in or -out of email subscription lists. Second, their complaint rates must be among the lowest, as verified by the records of consumer reports obtained from partner ISPs and mailbox providers. Third, they must use Postmarked Email only in communications where a prior customer relationship exists or where customers have opted in to communications. No unsolicited email can be sent via Postmarked Email. Follow this link to start accreditation.

Sending

Who pays for Postmarked Email?

Postmarked Email is paid for by accredited commercial and government senders, recipients never pay for Postmarked Email.

Is there special pricing for non-profits?

Yes. We offer qualifying non-profits a significant discount off the standard Postmarked Email price. Qualifying non-profits must verify 501(c)(3) status.

Does Postmarked Email apply to marketing emails as well?

Due to the importance of consistency in electronic communications, we understand the desire to send all of your email messages as Postmarked Emails. This is one of the reasons, we offer significant volume discounts.

Are email addresses filed with the USPS or some other directory?

No. At this time, there is no official email address listing for Postmarked Email communications.