USPS Shipping Guide: Rates, Calculator, And Chart
Whether you are running an eCommerce business, or are a frequent shipper, USPS is undoubtedly one of the best shipping options that provides reliability and affordability when shipping parcels. A USPS shipping calculator can automatically provide you with all the best pricing options available, but to help you better understand which USPS service level is the best for you, we have put together a comprehensive guide on what you can expect from each service level.
Domestic Shipping Options
First-Class Package:
First-Class Package delivers between 1 to 3 business days and is a great and cheap way to send smaller packages that weigh less than 13 ounces. Pricing is based on where it is being shipped within the various USPS zones and weight. You can get a better understanding of pricing from this official pricing table.
Priority Mail:
Probably, one of the most widely used options for USPS since the pricing and delivery speeds are quite reasonable. With Priority Mail, you get delivery within 1 to 3 business days (depending on distance), insurance ($100), and tracking. Within Priority Mail there are the following options:
- Weight-based Priority Mail
- Priority Mail Flat Rate (excellent value for those who ship small heavy items)
- Size-based Priority Mail Cubic
- Priority Mail Regional Rate
By using our shipping calculator, the lowest cost Priority Mail option will be automatically displayed so you don’t really need to get into the details of each of these options. However a brief summary is provided below as a quick reference.
Priority Mail Cubic:
Priority Mail Cubic bases its rate on a package’s outer dimensions instead of weight which makes it perfect for shipping smaller yet heavy parcels. This pricing is generally reserved for those that ship 50,000 packages a year, but you can get around that requirement by purchasing your postage through places like ShippingEasy. Delivery is 1-3 business days and includes the same insurance and tracking just like normal Priority Mail. However, it has restrictions. Dimensions of packages shipped cannot be greater than 18 inches, volume less than .5 cubic feet and have a total weight of less than 20lbs.
As an example, enter a 9x6x2 inch, 20 pound package into our shipping calculator going from Los Angles to New York, and you’ll see shipment discounts of 89% off of retail prices. That’s Priority Mail Cubic pricing.
Regional Rate and Flat Rate Priority Mail
Both Priority Mail Regional Rate and Priority Mail Flat Rate require you to use special USPS branded boxes. Each of these boxes have specific dimensions which are associated with the shipping prices. The boxes themselves can be gotten for free from the post office or through their online shop.
Priority Mail Express:
This is the fastest and most expensive USPS option. Generally, this option leads to overnight delivery when on routes close to large city areas with good transport routes. For those of us who are more rural, it can take up to 2 days for delivery. You will get a guarantee delivery date when you purchase this option. So, if you don’t get your package on time, you will be entitled to a refund.
Retail Ground:
Retail ground is a great economical service and is used for shipping oversized packages. It can be slow, up to 8 days, and most often not significantly cheaper than Priority Mail. This option is best if your packages are not urgent and are over the weight limit for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail.
Media Mail:
If you are sending books or other educational media like video or sound recordings through the mail, this option would be very cost-effective if your shipment does not weigh over 70lbs. There are restrictions to the types of media you can send and delivery generally runs between 2 to 8 business days.
International Options
Global Express Guaranteed:
This option delivers to 190 countries within 1-3 business days with guaranteed delivery or get your money back. Price includes $100 insurance and tracking and is dependent on weight, shape, where it’s going, and the size of the package.
Priority Mail Express International:
This is a fast, reliable service with delivery within 3-5 business days. You can use flat-rate pricing and avail of pick up from your office or home. It includes tracking and $100 insurance.
Priority Mail International:
Priority Mail International includes the same as the express option but takes a little longer for delivery (6-10 business days). The USPS has agreements with the local post carrier of your package’s destination country. Your package will be handed off to the local carrier for the final delivery. Depending on the reliability of the mail carriers of the local country, tracking could be lost, and delivery times extended.
First-Class Package International Service:
Another option for lightweight packages (up to 4lbs), combined with the maximum height, weight, and width is 36 inches or 42 inches for tubes or rolls. Similar to Priority Mail, once the package gets to your destination country’s postal carrier, the speed of delivery and reliability in tracking can vary greatly.
Airmail M-Bags:
The maximum weight for Airmail M-Bags is 66lbs and is suited for large amounts of printed materials. This includes commercial material, newspapers, books, or promotional materials. Think of this as Media Mail for international.
Online and Post Office Options
USPS has great online options complete with free flat rate shipping boxes and envelopes. These can also be ordered online and is an excellent perk for small businesses. Check out our guide on buying postage if you are interested in buying stamps outside of USPS.
Pricing - Getting the cheapest rates
So, what is the difference between USPS Retail Rate vs. Commercial Pricing? Retail rates are what you pay when you buy your postage at the physical brick and mortar post office. USPS offers online rates are slightly discounted using Click and Ship. For the best pricing, you’ll want to get commercial pricing by either shipping their minimum required volumes, or by using shipping software such as ShippingEasy or Stamps.com. Using a shipping software gets you the discounted commercial rates without having to ship large volumes of packages. There are tracking and reporting tools included to make life easier for any small to medium-size business. If you would like to read more on cost-efficient shipping for small businesses, check out our guide here.
Shipping by Weight/Size
| Service | Package Type | Max Weight | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority | Envelopes/Boxes | 70lbs | 1-3 business days |
| Priority Mail Express | Envelopes/Boxes | 70lbs | Overnight |
| First Class Mail | Letters/Postcards | 3.5 oz | 1-3 business days |
| Retail Ground | Envelopes/Boxes | 70lbs | 2-8 business days |
| Media Mail | Envelopes/Boxes | 70lbs | 2-8 business days |
USPS is pretty strict when it comes to the sizing and shape of packages or letters being shipped. They require all envelopes to be flat or if it’s not considered processable by machine then there will be extra costs involved with the shipment. Envelopes must also be made of paper and be rectangular in shape. This is to qualify for letter pricing. Unfortunately, if you try to send a letter that is larger than the typical letter size, you will be charged within package pricing. So don’t try stuffing a product into an envelope in an effort to save on shipping. USPS shipping costs for all size letters and packages are detailed in their online price list rate chart.
Which USPS Mail option to choose?
USPS shipping rates vary depending on what you need. There is no one-size-fits-all rate. Choosing which option suits you varies depending on weight, size, dimensions, and destination. Regardless of which option you choose, you can weigh in the values, check estimated rates online, and get the lowest shipping cost so you can consider which option to choose which best suits your needs.