Each city or town has at least one post office. Major branches in Cambridge and Boston are located at the following addresses:
Cambridge
Harvard Square: 125 Mount Auburn Street, 617-876-6483Boston
Central Square: 770 Massachusetts Avenue, 617-876-0620
Inman Square: 1311 Cambridge Street, 617-864-4262
Porter Square: 1953 Massachusetts Avenue, 617-876-6295
Back Bay: 390 Stuart Street, 617-236-1330
Charles St. Station: 136 Charles Street, 1-800-725-2161
South Station: 25 Dorchester Avenue, 617-654-5326
Prudential Center: 800 Boylston Street, 617-267-8162
Kenmore Square: 15 Deerfield Street, 617-437-6066
For additional information about other post offices and postal services in and around the Boston / Cambridge area, log on to the UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE web site: http://www.usps.com/.
Listings may also be found in the blue pages in the Boston telephone directory under U.S. Government, Postal Service. Most post offices are open on weekdays from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and some are open until 7:00 pm. On Saturdays most post offices are open from 7:30 am to noon. Mail is delivered once a day, Monday through Saturday, except for special delivery mail, which is delivered as soon as it reaches its post office destination. Mail will not usually be left at your apartment unless your name appears on the mailbox.
Special Postal Services
For mailing packages or important documents, you must visit the post office. Packages must be weighed to determine the cost of mailing. You may also insure your packages at the post office. The fee for insurance is determined by the value of the package. For mailing important documents, use registered mail so that mail can be traced if lost, or use certified mail if you want a return receipt, which is mailed to you when the item is delivered. These services cost more than regular mail.
Stamps
Stamps may be purchased at post offices or from vending machines located in some stores. Stamps are more expensive when purchased from a vending machine. Letters and postcards may be deposited in blue mailboxes found on street corners. For delivery of small packages, International Priority Mail is available, with delivery in four to five business days. Inquire at any post office.
Zip Codes
All addresses in the U.S. are assigned a 5-digit (sometimes a 9-digit) zip code number, according to the state, city, and sometimes even individual areas within a city. These numbers speed mail delivery. If you do not know the zip code number, contact your local post office for a list of zip code numbers or log on to the USPS web site: http://www.usps.com/. Incorrect or missing zip codes may delay mail delivery.
University Mail Service
Mail that is being sent to another Harvard department or office may be sent free of charge via University Mail. University Mail provides service among Harvard departments, administrative offices, and libraries, including those in the medical area. You should write "University Mail" on the outer envelope and place your mail in one of the University Mail stations, located throughout the University
Electronic Mail
You may wish to look into a computer-based service such as e-mail to communicate with your family, friends, and professional colleagues back in your home country. In addition to standard e-mail accounts, 'chat' programs can be downloaded that allow you to engage in instant two-way messaging (try www.aol.com) The computing services department at your school or department will assist you in setting up an account for electronic mail. For affiliates of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Arts and Sciences Computing Services (HASCA) administers approximately 300 workstations in various labs around the University.