How to Use the USPS Automated Postal Center (APC)

The United States Postal Service has introduced a self-serve kiosk they dub The APC. Rather than waiting in long lines, you can go to this often vacant automatic postage machine to ship your packages! At the time of writing, the automated postal center can provide 85% of all the available postal service options. This article will give you something you can't find anywhere else - a detailed guide to literally every step for sending a letter or package using the APC.

Things You'll Need

• A package or letter
• A debt/credit card

Instructions

1. 

   The first thing the machine will ask you is what you'd like to do - Mail a Letter or Package, Buy Stamps, Make a PO Box Payment, of Look up Information. The other options are short and easy, so let's pick the long by touching the on-screen Mail a Package button.

2. 

   There are three types of mailing options. Most packages will use the last option, but if your item isn't rigid or is a letter, select on of the other two options. Note that if you don't know the thickness of your package, you can use the rules on the scale to the left of the machine.

3. 

   When you said a package, the person at the window is supposed to ask you if it contains anything hazards, liquid, fragile or perishable. If you mail packages regularly, you've probably heard that a thousand times. This is basically the screen that asks you that question. Assuming you're not mailing a toxic gopher or something, hit "No."

4. 

   USPS provides preprinted packages you can mail your items in. The boxes are free, but the catch is you have to pay their special rate. If you're using one of those, hit Yes and a lot of your selection work will be done for you. If you're not, hit No and follow the next few steps.

5. 

   One of the reasons people are so afraid of using the APC is the giant metal collection bin - no kidding. When it's open it looks like a big steel monster. If you think your package will fit, hit Yes. If it won't fit, you're going to have to go to the window. The machine is pretty huge though, so no worries.

6. 

   The postal center screen will prompt you with a message bout marking out anything unnecessary on the box. Touch the continue button.

7. 

   Now it's time to weight the package. In the picture here you can see the scale I mentioned above. Place your package on the scale. The weight will determine the cost of your package. A lot of people are tempted to cheat here - don't do it! They spot check the package weights before the packages ship, and it would be mail fraud.

8. 

   The screen will display the pacakge weight. Give it a second to settle on a weight, and when the numbers stop moving touch the Accept Weight button.

9. 

   The APC will prompt you for the zip code. You can also choose International from here. If you have a full zipcode (with a dash) you should use it - it can potentially improve your shipping rate.

10. 

    The machine will display a list of potential options and their prices. At the bottom there is a button you can touch to see Additional Mailing Options. You should always check the extra options; sometimes there are better deals in there.

11. 

    Depending which service you select, the automatic postal center will present you with additional service you can add. Usually the services include: Insurance and Delivery Confirmation combo, Certified Mail, Insurance, and Delivery Confirmation. If you don't want any of those services, you can hit the "No, just send" button at the bottom.

12. 

    They've really thought of everything! If your package already has some postage, you can touch the "Already stamped" button. Otherwise just choose to buy the stamp.

13. 

    The machine will give you an example of what your label will look like. If you have even the slightest doubt that the label won't fit, hit "No" to print a smaller one. If you're shipping a giant package it's more beneficial to hit "Yes" and get the much more visible large label.

14. 

    Choose your payment method. The machines currently only support Debit and Credit cards.

15. 

    If you'd like to mail an additional package, press Yes. If not, press no.

16. 

    Your stamp will print out below the keypad. Take it out. Make sure you tell the machine's on-screen menu that you're done and don't need any more services. You should see a "Thank You" message when you sign out. If you don't see the message, it's possible for someone to mail something using your credit card, so make sure you don't skip that last step!

17. 

    Peel your postage stamp / postage label and stick it on your package. Please not that the package used in these photos is FACE DOWN for privacy reasons. You should place your postage on the side with the mailing address.

18. 

    Place your package in the giant dumpster machine with all the scary red and yellow warnings. Push the handle up to drop your package into the bottom of the bin and open it again to ensure your package went through. In the off chance that the post office employees have closed the bin for the day, you can usually drop the package off at a no-line window of mailing slot near the machine.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all services are available at the automated postage center. Media Mail, for instance, is still absent from the list of options.