Library of Congress

Cataloging Distribution Service

The Library of Congress > Cataloging Distribution Service > How To Order

How To Order

Important Information

  • If you are an existing customer, please include your CDS Account Number on all orders.
  • Deposit accounts & standing orders are no longer available. If you are an existing account holder, contact us for clarification.
  • CDS Federal ID Number: 536002532
  • Products with free downloads

Step 1: Get the Correct Order Form

Step 2: Choose a Payment Method

  • Prepayment is Required (Exemptions)
  • Credit Card (Credit Card Policy)
    (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express)
  • Money Order or Checks (Check Policy)
    We only accept checks drawn on U.S. Banks.
    Make checks payable to: Chief / CDS LOC
    Send payments by FedEx, DHL, UPS only.
    We cannot accept checks sent by surface mail.
  • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) - additional $25 bank fee
    Get directions for EFT Procedures.
  • Pro Forma Invoices are available for Purchase Orders.
    Email cdsinfo@loc.gov to request a Pro Forma Invoice.
  • All shipments are sent by UPS or Surface Mail.
    UPS deliveries require street address, as they are unable to ship to a PO Box.

Step 3: Send Your Order

  • Phone: 1-855-266-1884 (Toll-free in U.S. only) or 1-202-707-6100 (outside U.S.)
    Customer service is available
    8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
    excluding holidays
  • Fax: 202-707- 1334 or 202-707-1771
    Fax service is available 24 hours.
  • Email cdsinfo@loc.gov
    Send email with attachments anytime.
    You can attach the pdf form or scan a printed form and attach to email.
  • Surface mail: Not recommended
    Expect delays of 3 weeks or more for all surface mail communications with CDS.
    • Because of security measures in effect in Washington, DC, all mail handled by the US Postal Service is subject to special handling, including irradiation, and inevitable delays ranging from two to six weeks. For faster service, send correspondence via email or private courier services such as FedEx or UPS.
  • Private courier service. Send checks or money orders using Federal Express, DHL, UPS, etc., for example. These deliveries are screened offsite. Your orders will reach us in 5-7 work days.
  • Mailing address:
    Library of Congress
    Office of Business Enterprises
    Cataloging Distribution Service
    101 Independence Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC 20540-4910

Shipping Procedures

Shipping and handling charges for surface mail (mail shipped by land or sea) are included in the cost of orders under 10 pounds and of initial shipments of standing orders. Orders are shipped using a trackable service provider via UPS or FedEx. For expedited service, ask about special handling (air mail, courier, overnight delivery, etc.). These fees are paid for by the customer when the order is placed.

Sample shipping charges for print products weighing more than 10 pounds.

We require a street address to ensure proper delivery and to obtain appropriate delivery confirmation. Each package and overpack is legibly and durably marked with the name and full address, including ZIP/postal code, of the shipper and consignee.

An additional fee of $13 will be charged for all packages sent through USPS. Packages addressed to a P.O. Box address, Army Post Office (APO), and Fleet Post Office (FPO) cannot be shipped via UPS or FedEx. All shipments to APO, FPO, DPO addresses are sent via U.S. Priority or First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation, which is an extra charge. We estimate 5 to 7 business days for delivery once the order has been shipped; however, some destinations may take up to 6 weeks.

Customers requesting shipment to a freight forwarder should note that CDS's responsibility for the shipment ends upon delivery of the shipment to the freight forwarder.

All orders must be fully pre-paid before shipment. CDS must receive payment before shipping. You can pay by check drawn on a U.S. bank, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, International money order, or draw on a CDS deposit account, but payment must arrive before the product goes out.

If you already know your tracking or delivery confirmation number, you can follow the links below to track your order:

UPS
http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US
Phone: 1-800-742-5877
Sample Tracking: IZ9999999999999999 (18 alpha-numeric characters)

FedEx
http://www.fedex.com/tracking/
Phone: 1-800-463-3339
Sample tracking: 12345678912345678912 (15-20 characters)
123456789123 (12 characters)

US Postal Service (USPS)
http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm
Phone: 1-800-222-1811
Sample tracking: 1122334455667788990011 (22 characters)

Most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Business Enterprises may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. If the return is a result of an error on our part, we will pay the return shipping costs. Items should be returned in their original product packaging.

Ordering Tips

Our Customer Service staff will answer your calls, and if they are occupied with another customer, you may leave a message. We make every effort to respond either the same day or the next working day to those voice messages.

To help expedite your inquiries, we recommend the following:

  • When you order the first time, you will receive a customer account number. Use this number every time you order or correspond with us.
  • Existing customer: all inquiries must include your CDS account number.
  • For general inquiries, problems, or other questions - call us, send a fax, or email to cdsinfo@loc.gov.
  • For orders - send by fax or email to cdsinfo@loc.gov.
  • For payments - send your credit card number by phone or use Electronic Fund Transfers whenever possible. Please note that checks, money orders, etc. sent to our postal address will be delayed a minimum of 5-7 work days due to the Capitol Hill security screening of all mail.
  • For starting Web services (Class Web, Cataloger's Desktop) and MARC Distribution Services - sign up on the CDS Website, http://www.loc.gov/cds/.

Payment note:
U.S. state and local agencies prohibited by government regulation from prepaying will be allowed to buy on credit if you supply CDS with a copy of the regulation strictly prohibiting prepayment.

Credit Card Policy:
If your credit card is declined more than twice or if you send multiple credit card numbers due to declines in approval, CDS will not process your order via credit card. You will be required to submit your payment via EFT and provide an additional amount sufficient to track courier delivery of your products. As an additional security measure, customers may be asked to submit the three digit verification number that is found on the back of their credit card.

Check Policy:
When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction.

Privacy Act – A Privacy Act Statement required by 5 U.S.C. Section 552a(e)(3) stating our authority for soliciting and collecting the information from your check, and explaining the purposes and routine uses which will be made of your check information, is available from our internet site at http://www.fms.treas.gov/otcnet/index.html, or call toll free at 1-866-945-7920 to obtain a copy by mail. Furnishing the check information is voluntary, but a decision not to do so may require you to make payment by some other method.

Please Note: No returns, refunds, or exchanges after 30 days of delivery

Correcting Order Errors:
In cases where CDS fails to provide you with the products specified in your original order, we will refill your order at no charge, provided that CDS is notified within 30 days of having delivered the order to you. Correcting these errors requires a review of the originally delivered items, and the customer will be required to return the incorrect order to CDS prior to refilling the order. If the return is a result of an error on our part, we will pay the return shipping costs. Items should be returned in their original product packaging.

CDS Customer Service

Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Monday-Friday
Excluding federal holidays

Library of Congress
Office of Business Enterprises
Cataloging Distribution Service
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20540-4910

Phone: 1-855-266-1884 (U.S. Only)
or +1-202-707-6100 (outside U.S.)
Fax: 202-707-1334

Email: cdsinfo@loc.gov