What about FedEx’s photo ID rule for shipping packages? Here is what we discovered

In the heart of Silicon Valley, we saw a man ship a computer round naked to a local FedEx store in Sunnyvale, Calif. – no box, no cables – and it didn’t raise an eyebrow. What was done was the clerk’s request to see photo ID before they could wrap the package for shipping. When the client admitted that he did not have one on him, a Apple Card did the job.

That’s when we noticed a sign: “Warning: New government issued photo ID requirements for shippingâ€. Curious as to why the U.S. Post Office at the nearby mall didn’t ask for photo ID, we dug into the rule.

Carrying your photo ID is a no-brainer if you take your wallet or purse when shopping. But now with mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay so common – Apple says 85% of US retailers accept its mobile payment platform – it’s easy to leave your ID and other cards behind. Here’s what we’ve learned and what you can expect to keep your ID handy when shipping a package.

Why should I show my ID for FedEx shipments, even if I am paying in cash?

Merchants requesting photo ID are common – not federal law, but common practice related to fraud prevention. They may ask you if you are paying with a debit or credit card, as this is the best way to verify that you are the cardholder and to reduce the risk of fraud.

While you may not have been asked for ID in the past, you may notice a sign detailing the rule in some stores (we don’t know why). We have contacted FedEx for more information on the policy, but have not received a response. We will update if we hear back.

What counts as acceptable ID?

FedEx needs a government-issued ID to send a package. Here are the pieces of identification that he will accept.

• Driving license
• Passport
• US military ID card
• Permanent resident card

If you don’t carry any of these documents, you may be able to show other pieces of identification, such as a social security card. Other pieces of identification may not work, such as your work badge or a bank card. It is best to use one of the FedEx recommendations. If you have any questions, call your local FedEx store before asking for acceptable identification.

We also reached out to FedEx to see how the company handles shipping a package on behalf of someone else with ID. However, we have not yet received a response.

Does UPS also require photo ID for shipping?

Yes, UPS requires ID, too much. And the photo ID must match the person sending the shipment, so there is no way for someone to ship a package on your behalf. The only exception is if your package already has a shipping label prepared through a UPS account – you will not be required to present any ID. A UPS representative told CNET that this was a long-standing policy.

“The identification requirement is simply to verify the identity of occasional shippers who use UPS retail shipping points to process and present their shipments to us,†said the representative.

The the policy came into effect A little after packages containing explosives were reportedly sent via UPS, although no dangerous items were found.

The most of Identification options accepted by UPS require government issued photo ID with the same name and address as the shipping label. But if the address does not match, you will need to show proof of an updated address through mail or invoice.

What about the United States Postal Service?

The United States Postal Service requires ID to send Certified Mail, Priority Mail Express, Insured Mail, and other parcel services. You will likely be asked for an ID based on the list of services that require one.

Keep in mind that not all IDs are accepted for every USPS service. Here is a short list of accepted ID types:

• College ID
• Company or employee ID
• Driving license
• Non-driver ID card
• U.S. citizenship certificate or permanent resident card
• Passport

What if I don’t have photo ID or if I left it at home?

It may seem like an old habit to wear photo ID, but 1 in 10 citizens do not have a valid piece of ID to vote, which is usually government issued photo ID. Atlantic’s poll results also show that 9% of its respondents do not have ID. Fortunately, FedEx can accept other forms. It’s best to call your local FedEx store to see if your ID is acceptable before you leave.

Studies over the years have found that up to one in 10 citizens do not have the necessary documents to vote. Those who do are disproportionately black, Hispanic, poor, or over the age of 65. The Atlantic poll suggests the gap remains: was the reason they didn’t vote in 2020. Because the overwhelming majority of Americans have ID, “we don’t realize it the whole other side of the country is facing this massive crisis, â€says Kat Calvin of the Spread the Vote association. , which helps people get identity documents.

In the worst case, you have to go home to get it. A convenient way to keep it handy is to store your username on your phone. But keep in mind that this may not be acceptable in all cases, especially if the retailer needs to scan the back of your ID.

And if you don’t have an acceptable photo ID, you may need to find another carrier that doesn’t require proof to ship your package.

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