# Frequently Asked Questions If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed in the FAQs below, please contact the HUMS Information Desk by email at or by phone at [(617) 496-6245](tel:6174966245). ## Interoffice Mail Open all sections Close all sections ### How long does interoffice mail take? expand\_more Delivery of interoffice mail should take no longer than one business day. If your mail has taken longer, please call 496.MAIL (6245) or email . ### Is there a special format for an interoffice address? expand\_more The format is not strict but should include the name of a department, program, or school, and a street address or building name. ### Do you deliver interoffice mail to every Harvard affiliate, domestic and foreign? expand\_more Most Harvard affiliates in Cambridge, Allston, or the Longwood Medical Area may participate in the interoffice mail system. We do not deliver interoffice mailings to affiliates in remote locations such as Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington D.C., or Villa I Tatti, near Florence, Italy. ### Is there a charge for interoffice bulk mailings? expand\_more Yes there is a charge for mailings that exceed interoffice limits. For current rates and more information, please e-mail . ### Do you provide interoffice envelopes on request? expand\_more We keep an inventory of interoffice envelopes on hand and can provide them to departments on request. We will also pick up excess interoffice envelopes and will make sure that they are reused. If you require interoffice envelopes or would like a supply removed please contact us at[ hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu), or 496-MAIL (6245). ### I’ve just sent one or more pieces by interoffice mail, and realize that I want them back before delivery. Can you retrieve them? expand\_more If you wish to prevent delivery of interoffice mail that you have already sent, please phone us as soon as possible after pick-up, at 496.MAIL (6245). ### Can packages be sent through the interoffice system? expand\_more Yes. Please notify us at 496.MAIL (6245) or if your department plans to send packages over two pounds through interoffice mail, without signature confirmation. If you require on-call package delivery with signature confirmation, please see our courier service. ### I’m planning on sending a mailing to the Harvard Community at their office addresses. What do I need to do? expand\_more Harvard University mailing lists are supplied from several separate departments. Mailing lists must be individually requested for each project. We do not own any University mailing list, but can assist with contacts to request them. Please contact us with your inquiry at [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=University%20Mailing%20List). ## U.S. Mail & Metering Services Open all sections Close all sections ### Do you deliver all the incoming U.S. Mail to Harvard schools and departments? expand\_more We deliver U.S. Mail to the vast majority of Harvard’s schools and departments in Cambridge. USPS delivers directly to Longwood Medical Area, most Harvard addresses in Allston, and a small number in Cambridge. ### Do you offer metering service? expand\_more We meter every class of U.S. Mail, both domestic and international. We ask, however, that the sender fill out customs forms for international parcels over 1 lb., since we will not know the contents of the pieces given to us for metering. Customs forms and other mailing materials can be ordered online at [www.usps.com](http://www.usps.com/). For current rates and more information, please email . ### I have a mailing with a First Class, Non-profit, or Presorted Standard permit imprint already printed in the corner; can I drop it in a mail box? expand\_more No, the only permit imprint that can be directly dropped in a mail box is a Business Reply Mail permit. A bulk mail permit is used when presort work is done ahead of time and delivered to the U.S. Postal Service as a single mailing. For more information please contact us at: [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=Postal%20Permit%20Question). ### What discounted mail options do you provide? expand\_more We provide discounted mailing for First Class, Non-Profit and Presorted Standard mail. For more information, please contact us at [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=Discounted%20Mail%20Options). ### I have a large mailing to go overseas; is my only option to send through the U.S. Post Office? expand\_more We have alternative options for sending bulk mail internationally. Please contact us for more details at [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=International%20Bulk%20Mail). ## Bulk Mail, Packages and Misc. Open all sections Close all sections ### Is it okay to hand-write my addresses? expand\_more Currently yes, although HUMS and the post office highly recommend that addresses be laser printed or typed at no less than 8 point type. This helps with processing and will increase the speed and accuracy of mail delivery. ### Do you manage all the mail centers on campus? expand\_more We manage the mail centers at the Science and Engineering Complex, Harvard Divinity School, Littauer Center, Smith Campus Center, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Center for Government and International Studies, William James Hall, the GSAS Residence Halls (Perkins Hall), DCE, GSE, Harvard Art Museum, The Undergraduate House Mail Centers and the Science Center. Other mail centers are independently managed. ### Do you provide a courier service? expand\_more Our courier service makes separate deliveries of boxes, packages, and documents between any two points on the Cambridge and Allston campuses, with signature confirmation. (In most cases we can also deliver to the Longwood Medical area or off-campus by arranging in advance.) Rates vary depending on parcel size and destination. Please contact us at [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=Courier%20Service) for more information. ### My office needs to send documents or packages through commercial carriers (FedEx, UPS, Airborne, DHL, etc.). Do you arrange to have these picked up and delivered, and obtain a lower rate for us? expand\_more Pickups and deliveries through private carriers are arranged by the individual senders. However, we can offer advice on shipping strategies and alternatives. ### Does Harvard have print solutions? expand\_more Yes. We have a range of color and black & white print options. We can print business cards, envelopes, letterhead, pamphlets, posters, etc. If you have a specific need please contact us at [hums@harvard.edu](mailto:hums@harvard.edu?subject=Printing%20Solutions) ### Do you forward mail? expand\_more We forward first-class mail to domestic and international addresses for the residents of the Undergraduate Houses, Harvard Yard, GSAS Residence Halls, and Vanderbilt Hall. Residents of these buildings can change their forwarding address as often as needed on our [online form](http://www.campusservices.harvard.edu/mail/student-mail-forwarding). This service does not include magazines, periodicals, UPS or FedEx. University Mail will be sent back to the sender with the student’s forwarding address attached. Individual offices or departments may then affix proper postage. Please contact for answers to specific questions about forwarding from other Harvard addresses. ### Are you open on Saturdays? expand\_more Our office is open Mon.-Fri., 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We have Saturday hours of 10AM-2PM at the GSAS Mail Center and the Harvard Yard Mail Center. These locations receive private carriers only on Saturdays. US Mail is not received or delivered on Saturdays.