The United States Mint has changed their shipping options for signature-required shipments starting this month. In an email to the Numismatic press, the Mint announced that it was removing the option for signature-required shipments and will stop paying for the service all together with carriers.
As the email explains, which can be found below, many carriers like UPS, FedEx, and the USPS have adopted a “knock and verify” policy for signature required packages. The Mint reports that some customers have reported that this has not happened in practice for some of these shipments. Therefore, the Mint has decided to eliminate the option for now.
The “knock and verify” approach by carriers is a direct result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as these carrier services are making efforts to minimize exposure of their employees to customers.
Currently when an order is placed on the Mint’s site, you still have the option of economy shipping through to 2-day shipping. However, there is no longer an option for signature verification on orders when they are received.
Here is the email that the Mint sent to the Numismatic Press.
As a result of the on-going COVID 19 pandemic, many carriers are not requiring signatures for signature-required deliveries. Carriers have stated that they are following a “knock and verify” policy for signature required packages, though many of our customers have told us that this is not happening in practice. This is not a situation over which the United States Mint has any control.
To avoid customers paying for a service that they are not receiving, or having an expectation that we know will not be met, the United States Mint will cease offering signature-required shipments.
Effective December 1, 2020, the United States Mint will stop paying for, or offering for a fee, signature-required shipments.
As carrier policies return to normal, we will implement the ability for customers to opt in and pay for signature-required delivery for their orders.