Guides

Pack-and-ship store glossary

Sources checked 31 October 2026. General information, not legal advice: rules and program terms change, so confirm with the carrier or your postmaster before you rely on them.

The words a shipping store meets in its first month, defined plainly. Where a term is set by a USPS rule or a carrier program, the definition links the source.

Authorized Shipping Outlet (ASO)

A UPS program that lets a retail shipping store offer UPS’s products to the public. Franchise locations receive it through their franchise; independent stores apply to UPS directly (RSA program page).

Approved Shipper

A USPS program for existing independent shipping and mailing businesses that sell postal services beside other carriers’ products, with USPS branding and signage (USPS).

Billable weight

The weight a carrier charges for: the greater of the parcel’s actual weight and its dimensional weight.

CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency)

A business that accepts mail on behalf of other people or businesses, such as a store that rents mailboxes. CMRAs follow section 1.8 of the Domestic Mail Manual, chapter 508. See the CMRA compliance guide.

CMRA Customer Registration Database

The USPS online database, introduced by the 2023 CMRA rule, where a CMRA enters each box holder’s PS Form 1583 and uploads copies of their IDs. The store reaches it through a USPS Business Customer Gateway account.

Dimensional weight (DIM weight)

A weight calculated from a parcel’s size rather than its mass, so a large, light box is charged for the space it takes. The carrier bills whichever is greater, the dimensional or the actual weight (FedEx).

Drop-off

A parcel that already carries a paid label, left at the counter for the carrier to collect.

FedEx Authorized ShipCenter (FASC)

FedEx’s program for pack-and-ship retailers, with discounts on parcels shipped on the store’s FedEx account and a listing in the FedEx store locator (FedEx).

Manifest

The list of parcels handed to a carrier’s driver at pickup, so both sides can account for what left the store.

PMB (Private Mailbox)

A box rented at a CMRA. Mail to it must carry the box number as “PMB” or “#” followed by the number (DMM 508).

PS Form 1583

The USPS application each box holder signs to authorize a CMRA to receive mail for them. One form per person, with two current IDs.

PS Form 1583-A

The USPS application a business files with its postmaster to register as a CMRA.

Quarterly certification

The CMRA’s statement in the registration database, due 15 January, April, July and October, that every PS Form 1583 is current and no ID has expired.

Remail

Forwarding a former box holder’s mail, with new postage, to the address they leave. A CMRA remails for at least six months after the box closes unless the box holder waives it in writing.

Void

Cancelling a label before the parcel ships, so its postage can be refunded under the carrier’s rules.