Parcel Post is a convenient shipping method offered by postal service agencies, with fees based on weight and destination. It was established in Great Britain in 1882 and expanded to include other countries. The US established domestic services in 1913 and improved the system with a water route and convoy of trucks. The service benefited merchants and farmers, and small animals can still be shipped. Private shipping companies offer similar services at higher rates and with more restrictions.
Parcel Post is a method of shipping parcels that is generally considered to be the most convenient choice offered to consumers. The fee for this is usually calculated based on the weight and destination of the package. It is commonly used when timeliness of delivery is a low priority. Lower shipping rates are usually offered for printed materials. This type of shipping service is usually offered by a country’s postal service agencies.
The first service of this type was established in 1882 by the postal service in Great Britain. The service included the delivery of parcels to overseas destinations and those with domestic and Commonwealth delivery addresses. Three years later, the agreement establishing the international parcel postal service was extended to include 19 other countries.
Although the United States was part of the initial international shipping agreement, it did not establish domestic services in this category until 1913. This plan was improved in 1917 when a water route for boats and ships carrying parcels was added to the shipping system . The following year, a convoy of trucks dedicated to this type of delivery became a permanent part of the US system in the eastern part of the country. Airmail is first offered in the United States in 1948.
The National Parcel Post Service benefited the US economy for merchants located across the country who could directly ship their goods to mail order customers. Medicines, food and other items previously only available at the general store were now available for home delivery. Mail-order houses flourished during this period.
When the service expanded to rural areas in 1919, farmers’ businesses improved significantly because farmers could ship eggs and other products to retailers and consumers for a nominal fee. Chickens and turkeys could also be shipped this method. Today it is still allowed to ship small animals by parcel post if they do not require food and water per day.
Private shipping companies offer comparable services, but at considerably higher rates. Many do not offer the maximum carriage weight of 70 pounds offered by post. Other restrictions on package contents are often part of private company contracts for service.
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