Does USPS Take Credit Cards in 2024? Your Full Guide
Credit cards have become the dominant payment method for American consumers. According to 2022 Federal Reserve data, there is nearly $930 billion outstanding credit card debt held by U.S. households. With credit cards used for 26.7 billion purchases in 2020, it‘s no wonder many customers wonder if they can use their Visa, Mastercard, Amex or Discover to pay the post office.
I examined USPS‘s current credit card policies to provide a detailed guide on what you can and can‘t pay for with plastic at your local Post Office or on USPS.com.
Which Credit Cards Does USPS Take?
USPS accepts all major credit card network brands, including the following:
| Credit Card Brand | Accepted In-Person | Accepted Online |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | Yes | Yes |
| Mastercard | Yes | Yes |
| American Express | Yes | Yes |
| Discover | Yes | Yes |
In addition, any card added to the Samsung Pay digital wallet can be used for USPS purchases in-person.
USPS does not take Apple Pay or other digital wallets like Google Pay for in-person purchases. However, Apple Pay and other mobile wallets are accepted for online orders at USPS.com.
One exception is virtual credit cards like those from PayPal cannot be used for USPS.com purchases since they lack the 3-digit CVV security code.
When Credit Cards Can‘t Be Used at USPS
While credit cards are widely accepted, there are exceptions where only cash, debit or check is allowed:
- Money orders – To prevent fraud and misuse, credit cards cannot be used to purchase money orders. Debit cards and other paper methods of payment must be used.
- Bulk/commercial mailings – Business postage accounts must be tied to a bank account rather than credit card.
- Gift cards – Like money orders, gift cards are considered cash equivalents by USPS.
- COD (Collect on Delivery) payments – Recipients must pay cash to the postal carrier upon delivery of COD parcels.
- Passport application fees – The check or money order for the $110 application fee must be made out to the U.S. Department of State.
- Postage due – If a letter or package arrives with insufficient postage, the recipient must pay the postage deficiency in cash at the Post Office.
USPS likely has tighter credit card restrictions on these services to prevent fraud, reduce transaction fees, and comply with federal regulations around certain types of restricted financial transactions.
The Strict Card Signature Policy
One quirky strict policy USPS enforces with credit card purchases is around the card signature. For Visa purchases, the signature on the back of your card must match the signature you provide on the receipt. For Mastercard, American Express and Discover, the receipt signature must match both the card signature and name embossed on the front.
Unsigned cards or those marked "See ID" or "Check ID" will be rejected unless you can provide separate photo identification and then sign the card in front of the postal clerk. Fortunately, no signature is required for purchases under $25 thanks to USPS‘s participation in Visa/Mastercard‘s streamlined checkout programs for smaller amounts.
So before paying with your card at the Post Office, take a quick peek to ensure your card is properly signed to avoid headaches!
Convenience of Credit Cards at the Post Office
As a busy professional without much cash on hand, I love the convenience of paying by credit card for stamps, packaging and other USPS products. Compared to running to the ATM for cash to mail a return, just tapping my card and signing is much more convenient.
That said, I once had a card get declined buying a money order due to a hold from my bank‘s fraud department. Since money orders must be paid in cash, I had to drive back home, grab some bills, and return to finally get my money order. Annoying!
So while credit cards provide quick and easy payments at the Post Office, be aware of some of the exceptions where only cash or debit works. Carrying $20 or $30 in cash can save you time and frustration!
Conclusion: Credit Cards Accepted for Most USPS Purchases
In summary, for the majority of products and shipping services, USPS gladly accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards with no issues. Just be cognizant that for certain services like money orders and bulk mailings, or fees payable directly to the government, credit cards cannot be used.
Hopefully this guide provides helpful clarity on paying for all your mailing needs! Let me know in the comments if you have any other USPS credit card questions.
