Order Methods

Using the Shopping Cart

When a publication is in stock and available for purchase, an Add to Cart button will appear below its description in the search results or below the title of a publication on its "Details" page. When you click on the button, the product information is entered into your Shopping Cart automatically, including title, stock number, price, and quantity. Only items that have an Add to Cart button are available for purchase.

You can change the quantity or remove a publication from your Shopping Cart at any time. Up to 20 items may be ordered at a time. The shopping cart automatically calculates the total of your order as you add to and remove publications.

To find foreign prices, consult the detailed description of individual publications. Also see International Orders.

You can also access your current Shopping Cart at any time to review, change, or finalize your order, by clicking the Cart/Check Out button located at the top of all U.S. Government Bookstore Web pages.

GPO Order Number

Once an item has been added to the shopping cart, it is automatically assigned a GPO order number (e.g. GPO Order No: 200111270000). This number should be used as a point of reference when inquiring about the status of an online order.

Submitting an Order

To place an order when you have finished shopping, you will first need to view your shopping cart. To go to your shopping cart, click the Cart/Check Out button located at the top of all U.S. Government Bookstore Web pages. Review the items and quantities you have selected; update as needed. Once your items and quantities are correct, and you are ready to checkout and place your order, click the  Check Out  button below your order summary. This will begin the checkout process:

Step 1. Shipping Address: On this page, enter all of your shipping information, including name, address, city, state, and zip code. Optional fields are marked "optional." Upon completion, click the "Next" button on the bottom of the page.

Step 2. Select Shipping Method: On this page, you are given various methods by which you may have your order shipped. The name of the method, cost, and estimated delivery time are listed in a row. Select the shipping method you prefer, then click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page.

Step 3. Finalize Order: This page offers you a final chance to review your order and shipping information before submitting your order. Once you have reviewed your order information, enter your Email address, select the method of payment, and click the "Next" button. If you choose to pay with a Credit Card, you will be taken to Pay.gov (a secure online payment system owned and operated by the United States Government) where you will enter your card information and billing address. If you choose to pay with a Deposit Account, enter your account number in the field before clicking the "Next" button.

Step 4. Order Summary and Receipt: If your order has been processed successfully, you will be taken to a summary page. This page summarizes the order submitted, including the items you have purchased, the address your order will be shipped to, and the payment method you used. This page also includes your GPO Order Number, which you will need when contacting GPO regarding your order.

If you provided your Email address in Step 3, you will receive an Email confirmation and order receipt shortly. This concludes your order. You can either continue shopping, or leave the U.S. Government Bookstore.

Alternate Ordering Methods

In addition to placing orders online, customers can also place orders by phone, fax, or postal mail as shown below. Note: Payment must accompany your order.

  • ORDER VIA TELEPHONE: Place your order by phone by calling our U.S. Government Publishing Office customer service representatives who are available during our regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays).
    • Canada & USA customers outside the DC area, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800.

    • Washington, DC area or International customers, call 1.202.512.1800.

U.S. Government Publishing Office
P.O. Box 979050
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000

Order Confirmation Receipt

GPO provides a detailed transaction receipt with each online order. Please print this receipt for your records. You may also choose to have the transaction receipt sent to your Email.
To help GPO answer any questions about your order, please include your daytime telephone number, fax number, or Email address. Your contact information will not be used for any other purpose.

Payment Methods

Payment in U.S. dollars must accompany all orders. GPO accepts the following methods of payment:

  • Visa, MasterCard, Discover/NOVUS, and American Express accounts
  • Checks drawn on U.S. banks (Notice to Customers Presenting Checks)
  • Superintendent of Documents deposit accounts
  • UNESCO coupons
  • International postal money orders

Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Superintendent of Documents.

All credit card orders must include the account number and expiration date of the credit card.

Payments made by Superintendent of Documents deposit account must include the account number.

The Government Publishing Office does not accept foreign currency, postage stamps, checks drawn on foreign banks, or checks drawn on Canadian banks for less than U.S. $4.00. Checks returned by a bank as uncollectible are subject to a penalty of not less than $5.00 and up to ten percent of the value of the check.

Safe Shopping Guarantee

The U.S. Government Bookstore features an encryption service that ensures private, secure transactions for customers who submit electronic orders by credit card through the Online Bookstore sales applications.

Pricing & Availability

Prices are subject to change without notice. The U.S. Government Bookstore is the authoritative guide for prices. Prices charged to your order will be those prices in effect at the time that your order is processed, unless you have received a price quote from GPO; price quotes are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

GPO's new product announcements are archived for permanent public access. Order icons are removed from these listings as they become unavailable.

Out-of-Print Items

Items that are listed as "Out of Print" are no longer available for purchase from GPO. Copies may be available at a Federal Depository Library near you. You can search for Government publications and their availability in Federal Depository Libraries using the Catalog of Government Publications on GPO Access.

Subscriptions

To order a new subscription, simply add it to your online shopping cart, and submit an order (LINK TO SUBMIT AN ORDER SECTION) as you would for any other publication.

To renew an existing subscription, please complete the form on your renewal notice, and return it to the address printed on the renewal notice. Payment should accompany a request for renewal.

The first dated periodical from your subscription order typically arrives two to six weeks after the order is received, so depending on the frequency of publication (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) and the time when your order is placed, the delivery of your first issue may take longer.

Subscription Cancellations and Refunds

A $12.75 fee is assessed if you request cancellation of your service for dated periodicals and irregularly issued subscriptions. You will then receive a prorated refund based on the number of issues you have not yet received. Book dealers must certify their customers’ cancellation requests.

A full refund and a waiver of the cancellation fee are granted when an order is processed incorrectly or when a higher price is charged without the customer’s consent.

Refunds are not available for subscriptions of basic manuals with supplements.

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