PS Form 3533 at a glance
What it is: This is the Application for Refund of Fees, Products and Withdrawal of Customer Accounts.
Who signs: Customer signature is required in Part 1.
A filled-in PS Form 3533 example: a customer asks for a refund of an extra service
How to fill out PS Form 3533, box by box
Part 1 - Application: Customer/Company Name, Attention, Mailing Address and Telephone No.
The customer completes Part 1 and submits it to the local Post Office for processing.
Enter the Mailing Address, the address to which the funds will be mailed, and the Apt. or Suite No.
Enter the Telephone No., including the area code.
Amount of Refund Request and Customer Account No. or Postage Meter No.
Enter the Amount of Refund Request and the Customer Account No. or Postage Meter No.
Request Disbursement For
Select the appropriate box under Request Disbursement For.
Post Office Postage Meter/PVI Error (AIC 509): if the actual postage meter label is attached, no witness signature is required.
Refund for Postal Service Related Products (AIC 608), for example merchandise.
Refund Postage and Fees (AIC 553) is for extra services not rendered, for example Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Delivery Confirmation.
Refund Miscellaneous Non-Postal Service Revenue - (AIC 624), previously recorded into AIC 126.
Priority Mail Express Refunds (AIC 676): postage and fees for service failure or not rendered.
Spoiled/Unused Printed Customer Meter Postage (AIC 526): legible postage meter stamps must be submitted to USPS.
Sure Money Refund (AIC 645/646) - Issued Locally, or Refund of Permit Postage and Fees (AIC 528), with the boxes Postage Affixed on BRM Pieces and Damaged Mailings, Refund of Annual Fees.
Withdrawal from Advance Deposit Account (AIC 470/453): Close Account; Partial Refund.
For Other Refunds, write the AIC and the Explanation.
Refund of Fees and Retail Services (AIC 535): PO Box keys and service fees.
Value Added Services (AIC 541): refunds to mailing agents that perform value added service and submit mail at discounted rates. This refund will require the Customer Tax Identification Number (TIN).
Signature of Customer (Required) and Date of Request (MM/DD/YYYY)
Sign on the Signature of Customer (Required) line and enter the Date of Request (MM/DD/YYYY).
Part 4 - Extra Services and Other Refunds
Explain the reason for the requested refund.
Enter the Amount of Refund to Which Claimant is Entitled, in accordance with USPS policy.
Fees for registered, insured, and COD services are not ordinarily refundable.
If your situation is different
Postage Affixed on BRM or Meter Stamps
The customer's meter must be licensed at the refunding office, and complete, legible, and valid unused meter stamps must be submitted by the licensee within 60 days from the dates shown on the indicia.
Charges for postage affixed on BRM pieces or meter stamps are assessed at 10% off the face value of the indicia, if the total is $500 or less (checked October 19, 2026). If the total face value is more than $500, a charge of $50 per hour is assessed for the actual hours to process postage affixed on BRM pieces or meter stamps refunds; the minimum charge is $50 (checked October 19, 2026).
Postage produced by PC Postage systems is not refundable at the retail service counter.
Sources
[1] PS Form 3533 (December 2016), Application for Refund of Fees, Products and Withdrawal of Customer Accounts, U.S. Postal Service (the Official source link on this page).
