USPS offers amnesty for return of mail transport equipment

The US Postal Service is holding a two-week amnesty to encourage the “rapid” return of mail transport equipment, after shortages have cost it tens of millions. USPS provides around 359m pieces of equipment ranging from sacks and pouches to trays, containers and pallets for its own processing activities and to help its business customers easily transport large amounts of mail to entry points.

However, a “significant” portion of Postal Service MTE has been going missing in recent years, with $240m spent since 2005 replacing plastic and wood trays and pallets.

This year has seen particularly bad shortages of MTE causing major headaches for USPS customers in some areas.

Last year, USPS had to shell out millions for equipment including 200,000 additional pallets to help mitigate some of the ongoing shortages, though this year’s shortages will not likely improve until next year’s order comes through.

A campaign by Postal Inspectors to recover “missing and stolen” MTE has recovered almost 200,000 pallets, trays and hubs in the last three years, worth more than $4m. Although theft of postal equipment is a federal crime, businesses ranging from a New England fish market to California recycling firms were found to be wrongfully using the USPS pallets and trays.

One recycling company is currently in the process of being prosecuted for possession of 7,500 USPS pallets, valued at over $200,000.

Amnesty

USPS said today it would allow holders of its MTE to return equipment “no questions asked” over the two weeks up until November 26.

David Williams, vice president of network operations at USPS, said: “This is a serious issue. We are in a financial crisis, and simply cannot afford this type of unnecessary expense. The equipment is federal property and we want it back.”

During the amnesty, equipment can be dropped off at any post office or mail processing and distribution centre, while pick-up requests can be made for particularly large amounts of MTE.

USPS is also publicising a mail transport equipment recovery hotline – 866.330.3404 – for reports of equipment misuse, hoarding or disposal.

Postal Inspectors said they would resume their recovery efforts after November 26, seeking prosecution against offenders, who face three years in prison and/or fines of up to $250,000 if convicted.

“Theft of postal equipment is a federal crime. Replacing missing equipment last year cost the Postal Service $50 million — money that it can ill afford,” said chief postal inspector Guy Cottrell.