Overview

CAPS is…

The Centralized Account Processing System. It is an electronic postage payment system that provides business mailers a centralized, convenient, and cost-effective way to fund:

• Permit Imprint
• Business Reply Mail*
• Return Services*
• Postage Due Account*
• USPS Corporate Account
• Address Element Correction/Address Change Service

*The availability of CAPS for BRM, Return Services, and Postage Due is currently very limited.

CAPS provides an electronic alternative to presenting checks and cash for postage and fees at multiple post offices. Customers can choose from two account types:

Centralized trust account— Customers deposit funds using electronic funds transfer to the CAPS bank prior to mailing. The CAPS account is automatically reduced when local post offices process postage statements.

Centralized debit account—Customers designate a debit-enabled bank account for postage charges. The bank account is debited for the total day's postage on the next bank business day.

CAPS Customers…

• Have a unique account number and password to ensure that funds are properly administered.
• Continue to mail under the same permit imprint, periodical, and business reply account numbers currently held.
• Incorporate all or some of their existing accounts into CAPS.
• Have annual mailing and accounting fees administered automatically.
• Access and download real-time CAPS account information through reports generated at the CAPS Web site.
• May apply for a deferred-debit payment option for designated international products. CAPS provides twice-monthly debiting for international mailing expenses.

Need more information?

Please contact your local Postal Service business center or account representative, or the CAPS Service Center at (650) 377-1334.

Ready to Enroll?

Complete the application forms, print, sign, and send them to the CAPS Service Center.

CAPS Service Center
2700 Campus Drive
San Mateo, CA 94497-9433

Note: The permit(s) must be at zero balance before it can be linked to the CAPS account.

Debit-account customers must contact the local permit office(s) to initiate the refund process. PS Form 3533 must be completed and signed.

Trust-account customers have two options:

1. Customer can choose to roll-over the balance to the CAPS account. Permit customer has to issue an authorization to CAPS Service Center to transfer the funds from local trust account to the CAPS account.
2. Customer must contact the local permit office(s) to initiate the refund process. PS Form 3533 must be completed and signed.