CHAPTER 7 REGISTERED MAIL This  chapter  discusses  all  aspects  of  processing registered mail within the Military Postal Service. You will learn about the procedures to control the acceptance, dispatch, transfer of custody requirements, and delivery of registered mail, both incoming and outgoing. REGISTERED MAIL SYSTEM Learning  Objective:   Recall the accepting and  receipting  procedures  for  registered mail. As stated in the DMM, registered mail is the most secure service that the USPS offers.   It incorporates a system  of  receipts  to  monitor  the  movement  of  mail from the point of acceptance to delivery.   Registered mail service provides the sender with a mailing receipt, and a delivery record is kept at the post office of address. Because  registered  articles  may  contain  money, valuable articles, or classified material (Confidential and Secret), it is important that registered mail always be given proper security. WHAT MAY BE REGISTERED Only matter prepaid with postage at the First-Class or Priority Mail rate may be registered.   Stamps or a postage  meter  tape  must  be  affixed  to  registered articles  to  cover  the  amount  of  postage  and  fees. Business  reply  mail  may  not  be  registered. Registration may only be obtained by presenting the article at the post office.  Mail will NOT be registered if:    placed in collection boxes or in mail drops in post offices    addressed to post offices to which it cannot be safely transported    improperly prepared    consisting of two or more articles that are tied or fastened  together,  unless  the  articles  are enclosed in the same envelope or wrapper POSTAL INSURANCE Postal insurance coverage may be purchased for personal mail that is registered in the event of loss or damage. The mailer must inform the accepting clerk of the full value of an article presented for registration. The value of an article determines the fee charged for registry service. Private insurance carried on an article does  not  modify  the  requirement  for  declaring  the article’s full value. The value of official mail must also be declared when  presented  for  mailing  so  that  it  may  be  given proper handling. If the mailer desires payment in the event an article is lost or damaged, postal insurance in amounts of up to $25,000  can  be  purchased  at  the  time  of  mailing. Values of various items should be declared as shown in figure 7-1. NEGOTIABLE AND NONNEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS To  understand  how  the  value  of  negotiable  and nonnegotiable articles are determined, you must know the meaning of the two terms.  A negotiable item is any instrument  that  can  be  exchanged  for  cash  or  goods without the signature of the bearer.  An example of a negotiable instrument is a gift certificate.  All one has to  do  to  receive  the  merchandise  is  to  turn  in  the certificate. Nonnegotiable instruments are items that require a bearer’s  signature  to  be  exchanged  for  cash  or merchandise. Would  an  income  tax  check  be considered a negotiable item?  No.  A tax return check requires  a  signature  to  cash  it;  therefore,  it  is nonnegotiable. PREPARATION BY SENDER Postal employees are not permitted to assist in the preparation or sealing of mail to be registered.   The mail must bear the complete names and addresses of both the mailer and addressee.  Envelopes or packages that appear to have been opened and resealed, or that are  otherwise  improperly  prepared,  must  not  be registered.   Padded envelopes may NOT be used for 7-1