Terms and Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE FOR USPS APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES (APIs)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE. Read this carefully before registering to use the USPS Application Programming Interface (API) servers. By utilizing the APIs, you hereby ACCEPT ALL of the terms and conditions of this agreement.

This Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement (this “Agreement” or “Terms and Conditions” or “Terms of Use”) is a legal agreement between (i) you (the “Individual”), (ii) the company, entity, or organization that you are representing, if any (the “Company,” and together with the Individual, collectively, “You” “Your” or “User” or “Mailer”), and (iii) the United States Postal Service, an Independent Establishment of the Executive Branch of the United States Federal Government (“USPS” or “Postal Service” or “We”). The Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions for Your use of the USPS Application Programming Interfaces ("USPS API" or "Service"), an online interface that allows You to download data from the USPS related to your package or shipping activity. This Agreement is between You and USPS only, and not with any other entity. USPS is solely responsible for the services, content and materials provided through usps.com® and the Service generally. User acknowledges and agrees that he or she is solely responsible for and shall abide by (i) the terms of this Agreement; (ii) the terms of use and guidelines of all secondary websites, services and devices affiliated with the Service, as applicable, or linked to through the Service; and (iii) all policies, procedures and regulations of the United States Postal Service, which shall include and not be limited to the requirements of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual and the USPS International Mail Manual. User warrants, represents and agrees that interaction with the Service is for the sole purpose to facilitate and manage USPS shipping and/or mailing transactions and to receive information regarding Your mail.

The Individual, by agreeing to this Agreement as a representative of the Company and/or using the Service on behalf of the Company, represents and warrants that he or she is an authorized representative of the Company with the power and authority to bind the Company to the terms of this Agreement and has been authorized by the Company to use the Service on behalf of the Company. If the Individual’s status as an authorized representative of the Company terminates, he or she shall immediately cease using the Service on behalf of the Company. The Individual shall be fully liable for any direct or indirect damages that arise from or are related to the Individual’s breach of any representation, warranty, or covenant set forth in this paragraph.

Modification of These Terms of Use

We reserve the right to change the terms, conditions, and notices under which the Service is offered. You may review the most current terms and conditions of use at https://developer-dev.usps.gov/terms-and-conditions. If You do not agree to, or cannot comply with, the Agreement as amended, You must stop using the Service. You will be deemed to have accepted the Agreement as amended if You continue to use the Service. The Service provides You with the opportunity to implement various USPS services and products, which may be modified or expanded in the Service from time to time. User acknowledges and agrees that his or her use of the Service, in each instance, is subject to any such changes and that User's use of the Service constitutes acceptance of such changed terms. User agrees to review this Agreement from time to time to ensure compliance with these terms and conditions.

Description of Service

The Service is an online platform and portal that allows You to download data and request services from the USPS related to your mailing or shipping activity through the use of APIs, and allows you to create shipping and mailing software or services. The Service provides You with credentials in order to access data and/or products of the Postal Service.

Potential Third-Party Charges or Fees & Consent to Receive Electronic Communications

BY ACCEPTING AND AGREEING TO THIS AGREEMENT, YOU CONSENT AND ACCEPT THE RISK IN RECEIVING INFORMATION VIA EMAIL AND/OR TEXT MESSAGING THROUGH THE SERVICE. SUCH ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS MAY PROVIDE THE ABOVE MENTIONED SERVICES, BUT MAY ALSO CONTAIN MARKETING MESSAGES AS WELL AS REQUESTS FOR FEEDBACK FROM YOU REGARDING THE SERVICE. YOU MAY WITHDRAW SUCH CONSENT AT ANY TIME, BUT IF WITHDRAWING SUCH CONSENT, SOME FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SERVICE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO YOU. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER MAY CHARGE DATA USAGE FEES (INCLUDING ADDITIONAL CHARGES WHEN ROAMING AS WELL AS FEES FOR SMS OR TEXT MESSAGING THAT MAY BE USED TO RECEIVE UPDATES RELATED TO THE SERVICE), AND THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SUCH FEES AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF THE APPLICATION OR THE SERVICE. ADDITIONAL FEES OR COSTS MAY ACCOMPANY YOUR RECIEPT OF EMAILS SENT THROUGH THE SERVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR WIRELESS OR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER FOR COMPLETE PRICING DETAILS.

Additional Products and Services

The various additional products and services available through the Service may have associated fees. In addition, some such services may have separate terms and conditions that You must agree to in order to access them. The Postal Service may modify the services available through the Service at its discretion, and may add or subtract services from time to time. The terms and conditions of such secondary services shall govern when accessing such services, and the terms of this Agreement shall apply to the use of USPS API.

Functionality not Guaranteed

You acknowledge that functionality of the Service may be compromised or unavailable based on the configuration of Your system based on Your operating system, browser version as well as Your hardware or phone. Access to the Service is not guaranteed for every software and hardware configuration, and You agree that the Postal Service shall have no liability for Your inability to access the Service in every instance, or to access the various data sets available through the Service due to such hardware and software constraints.

Use Restrictions for Business User and Developers.

User agrees to use the USPS Web site, APIs and USPS data in accordance with any additional requirements that may be posted on the Web site screens, emails, provided in the USPS User Guides.
User agrees to only use the USPS Web site, APIs and USPS data to facilitate USPS shipping or mailing transactions.
The USPS name, trademarks/logos and USPS data received via the interfaces may not be used in any way that implies endorsement or sponsorship by USPS of the User or any of the User's products, goods or services.
User may not use the interfaces in any way that adversely affects the performance or function of the USPS API servers.
User may not post or transmit information or materials that would violate rights of any third party or which contains a virus or other harmful component.
User agrees to provide and keep updated, complete and accurate information about User upon registration for the APIs.

No Unlawful or Prohibited Use

As a condition of Your participation in the use of USPS APIs, you warrant to the Postal Service that You will not use the Service for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use. The Postal Service reserves the right to terminate User's access to the Service at any time without notice for any reason whatsoever.

Equitable Relief

User acknowledges and agrees that due to the unique nature of Postal Service’s proprietary information, including but not limited to information obtained from the Service or any USPS Marks, there may be no adequate remedy at law for any breach of its obligations or terms hereunder relating to the Service, that any such breach may allow User or third parties to unfairly compete with Postal Service resulting in irreparable harm to Postal Service, and therefore, upon any such breach or threat of such breach, Postal Service shall be entitled to seek injunctions and other appropriate equitable relief in addition to whatever remedies it may have at law.

Privacy

For over two centuries, the Postal Service has valued Your privacy, and built a brand that customers trust. When using the Service, the information You provide is accessible to the Postal Service, but may also be collected by third parties such as the companies that control the operating systems of the particular application You are using, e.g. browser, mobile device, etc. as well as Your telecommunications provider (not unlike an Internet Service Provider's ability to access data provided by its subscribers). Information collected by any such third party is governed by its terms of service and its privacy policy. Any information provided by You to the Postal Service while utilizing the Application is governed by the USPS privacy policy.

For information about our privacy policy, please visit www.usps.com/privacypolicy.

Intellectual Property - License Grant and Restrictions

This Service provided to You by the USPS is for User's personal or commercial use for the limited purpose described below. User may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, data, databases, software, products, or services, including derivatives thereof, obtained from the Service, excepting Your right to share information provided through the Service to explain or effectuate a Postal Service transaction (for example, sharing tracking information with a customer). Material provided by the Service is the copyrighted and proprietary property of the Postal Service. All rights in the property are reserved. The Service, access to the Service, credentials and data are licensed to You not sold.

The intellectual property and images presented through the Service may not under any circumstances be reproduced or used without USPS's prior written permission. Other than the actual information related to a mailed item, You may view and download material from this Service for personal and commercial use solely when the materials clearly state that these materials may be copied and reproduced according to the terms stated on the particular pages where such materials are found; or with the express written permission of the Postal Service. In all other cases, You will need written permission from the Postal Service to reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, distribute or publicly display material from this Service.

USPS grants to You a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Service for the purpose of using USPS shipping and mailing products. The data You access through the Service may be used for commercial informational purposes solely to provide information regarding Your shipping and mailing transactions using USPS products and services. USPS also grants to You a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use and access the Service on any device that You own or control as permitted by any terms of use set forth by Your device manufacturer, the terms of use of Your device's operating system and/or the terms of use of Your telecommunications provider. Any violation by You of the license provisions contained herein may result in the immediate termination of Your right to use the Service. USPS reserves all right, title and interest to the Service, credentials and data not expressly granted under this license to the fullest extent possible under applicable laws. ANY USE OF THE SERVICE, CREDENTIALS, AND/OR DATA NOT SPECIFICALLY PERMITTED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

You agree that You will not:

use the Service or usps.com to reproduce copyrighted materials;
use the Service for datamining purposes;
use the Service or data for the purpose of creating an address list;
use the Service or data to create a database with the data from the Service for third party usage;
resell or license for a fee the data from the Service or any derivative thereof;
repackage, modify or translate the data from the Service for non-USPS purposes;
copy, store, edit, change, prepare any derivative work of or alter in any way any of the information or data provided through the Service or usps.com except for uses related to Your mailing and purchase of USPS products and services;
provide Your password or credentials, if required by the Service or any Application available on usps.com to any other person;
translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify or create derivative works based on the Service or any application available on usps.com or any portion of them accessible through the Service or through usps.com;
circumvent any technology used by the USPS or its licensors to protect content accessible via the Service or found on usps.com;
rent, lease or sublicense any of the intellectual property, including credentials or data, provided through the Service or available on usps.com without the express written consent of the Postal Service;
use the Service or any application available on usps.com in any way that violates the terms of this Agreement;
Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others;
Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information;
Upload files that contain software or other material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy of publicity) unless You own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents;
Upload files that contain viruses, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of the USPS networks or another's computer;
Advertise or offer to sell any goods or services for any commercial purpose through direct communications utilizing the Service or usps.com;
Download any file posted by another user of the Service that User knows, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally distributed in such manner;
Falsify or delete any author attributions, legal or other proper notices or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded; or
Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Service or usps.com generally.

As between You and USPS, You acknowledge that USPS owns or has a license to all title and copyrights in and to the Service. All right, title and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the content and data supplied by the Service is the property of the respective content owner (whether the USPS or a licensor to the USPS) and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties and subject to use restrictions under such laws or treaties. Upon demand by the USPS you will delete Your credentials and any data from the Service, including derivatives thereof, from Your systems or systems and platforms that You control. If You have knowledge of Your credentials or data from the Service being transferred to systems and platforms outside of Your control, you must notify the USPS immediately. Failure to notify the USPS of such transfers will be considered a breach of these terms and misuse of the license provided to You.

The Service and the applications found on usps.com contain the trademarks, service marks, graphics and logos of the USPS and may contain third-party trademarks, service marks, graphics, and logos. You are not granted any right or license with respect to such USPS trademarks or the trademarks of any third party available through the Service.

The licenses granted above will be for a term consistent with the period of performance of the shipping and mailing services requested.

The Service has a limit on the number of requests that You may make in a given day. Such limits are dependent on the type of API used or the type of data requested. Such limits may be reviewed on the description pages associated with the APIs and data types. You agree that You will not make more than the limited number of requests per day. You agree that the USPS may limit your API usage or credentials when the USPS has reason to believe that you are datamining or creating address lists or for any other purpose the USPS deems to be warranted. If USPS determines that errors in Your requests, no-data results, non-conforming requests or the like are an attempt to circumvent restrictions in these terms, the USPS may act unilaterally to deny access to the Service and data. You agree that the USPS may also require You to delete all data from the Services, including any derivatives thereof, from your systems and platforms.

Updates, Maintenance and Support

USPS may from time to time make available to all users of the Service updates at no cost or subject to additional fees in USPS's sole discretion. "Updates" means any updates, upgrades or error corrections to the Service USPS makes available generally to users of the Service. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, USPS will have no obligation to continue producing or releasing new versions of the Service or any updates thereto. USPS is solely responsible for providing any maintenance and support of the Service, or as required under applicable law.

Links to Third-Party Sites and Limitation of Liability

The Service and other websites and services that may be accessible through the Service or on usps.com generally, which also may be operated by the Postal Service, may contain links to websites operated by parties other than the Postal Service. Such links are provided solely for User's convenience. The Postal Service does not control such third-party websites and is not responsible for the contents of such sites. The Postal Service's inclusion, if any, of links to such third-party websites does not imply any endorsement of the material on such sites or any association with their operators. When linking to such third-party websites, the Postal Service follows web-linking and exit page guidelines as set forth in USPS Management Instruction AS-610-2012-3. The Postal Service does not monitor websites linked to by User, and the use of any such links is performed strictly at the User's own risk. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE POSTAL SERVICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM ACTIVITY OCCURRING ON NON-POSTAL SERVICE WEBSITES WHEN A USER LINKS TO SUCH SITE FROM THE SERVICE OR USPS.COM.

No Unlawful or Prohibited Use

As a condition of Your use of this Service and usps.com generally, You warrant to the Postal Service that You will not use the Service or usps.com for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use.

The Postal Service reserves the right to terminate User's access to the Service at any time without notice for any reason whatsoever.

The Postal Service reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request, or to edit, refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in the Postal Service's sole discretion.

User grants the Postal Service permission to use any information, suggestions, ideas, drawings or concepts communicated through the Service or usps.com for any purpose by You to the Postal Service in any manner that the Postal Service chooses, commercial, public or otherwise, without compensation whatsoever. User agrees and acknowledges that all content found within the Service, whether provided by the Postal Service, third-parties or from User, to the fullest extent permitted by law and under contract, shall be or become the property of the United States Postal Service with no restrictions in use, whether commercial or otherwise.

Liability Disclaimer

The information, data, software if any, products, and services included through this Service may include inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information provided. The Postal Service and/or its respective suppliers may make improvements and/or changes to this Service, usps.com and accompanying services at any time.

THE MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UTILIZING THE SERVICE AND THE APPLICATIONS ON USPS.COM ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW. THE POSTAL SERVICE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE POSTAL SERVICE DOES NOT WARRANT OR REPRESENT THAT THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE OR RELIABLE OR THAT THE MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UTILIZING THE SERVICE OR USPS.COM WILL BE FREE OF ERRORS OR VIRUSES. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH ANY PORTION OF THIS SERVICE OR USPS.COM, OR WITH ANY OF THESE TERMS OF USE, USER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USING THE SERVICE OR USPS.COM. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE, WILL THE POSTAL SERVICE BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM OR RELATE TO THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UTILIZING THE SERVICE, USPS.COM OR THE ACCOMPANYING SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH USPS API EVEN IF THE POSTAL SERVICE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE POSTAL SERVICE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USER'S INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE, USPS.COM, MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED UTILIZING THE SERVICE OR USPS.COM DUE TO FAILURE OF THE USER'S DEVICE, OPERATING SYSTEM OR USER'S INABILITY TO ACCESS SUFFICIENT BANDWIDTH AND/OR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIVITY. USER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT DATA PROVIDED BY THE SERVICE MAY NOT TAKE PLACE IN SOME INSTANCES, OR MAY BE LIMITED DUE TO PROCESSING LIMITATIONS, ERROR OR BASED ON SPECIFIC PRODUCT LIMITATIONS AND THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR INACCURATE DATA PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE.

Indemnification

You acknowledge and agree to indemnify and hold the Postal Service, its affiliates, officers, employees and agents, harmless, including costs and attorneys' fees, from any claim or demand made by any third party due to or arising out of Your use of the Service and usps.com or in the event of Your violation of this Agreement; and from any infringement of third party rights by You while utilizing the Service or usps.com such as any intellectual property or other right of any person or entity arising out of or related to any products or services purchased by You in connection with the Service or usps.com, or offered by a third party through the Service or usps.com.

Access Restriction and Registration

The Postal Service, in its sole and unreviewable discretion, reserves the right to deny any User access to the Service, the APIs or any portion of usps.com without notice. You must register for this Service, and by doing so, You warrant and represent that You have the authority to agree to the terms and conditions herein and to request the functions and data performed through the Service. The Postal Service may use a third-party identity proofing company during the registration process in order to better ensure Your right to use the Service. You may be required to provide specific information to prove Your identity during this process. In addition, the Postal Service may determine Your eligibility to participate in the Service by utilizing an analysis of Your device (“Device Reputation”) to determine if You are the individual you purport to be. You acknowledge that failure to provide such information or failure to allow for an analysis of Your device through Device Reputation analysis may result in the Postal Service’s inability to allow You to access the Service. The credentials to access the Service are licensed to You and not sold and may be revoked at anytime. You warrant that the credentials will only be used by You and not rented out or used by a third party. You agree not to misuse the credentials and only use the credentials for interaction with the Services for the purpose of mailing. You agree that You are responsible for securing and maintaining Your credentials on Your systems and platforms. You agree that the Postal Service may revoke your credentials and/or deny you access to the Service for any breach or suspected breach of any of the terms in this agreement.

General

THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW. USER AGREES THAT ALL DISPUTES AND MATTERS WHATSOEVER ARISING UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH OR INCIDENT TO THESE TERMS OF USE SHALL BE BROUGHT BY USER IN AND BEFORE A FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (EXCLUDING RIGHTFUL ACTIONS BROUGHT BEFORE THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS), TO THE EXCLUSION OF THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER STATE OR COUNTRY. USER AGREES TO WAIVE ANY OBJECTIONS AS TO THE LAYING OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION OR VENUE IN SUCH A COURT, AND AS TO ANY PURPORTED INCONVENIENCE OF THE CHOSEN FORUM.

The Postal Service's performance of this agreement is subject to existing laws and legal processes, and nothing contained in this agreement is in derogation of the Postal Service's right to comply with governmental, court and law enforcement requests or requirements relating to Your use of this Service or information provided to or gathered by the Postal Service with respect to such use. If any part of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the agreement shall continue in effect.

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the User and the Postal Service with respect to this Service and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the User and the Postal Service with respect to this Service. A printed version of this agreement and of any notice given in electronic form shall be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this agreement to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form.

Updated: 2/28/2022