The Guide to USPS Mail Types: Speed, Cost & More 

Shipping is a critical aspect for an e-commerce business. It needs to be reliable, efficient, and cost-effective. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a common option for e-commerce businesses. 

Offering cost-efficient shipping rates, shipping through USPS is fast and easy. Often, you are able to print your shipping labels yourself and merely drop off packages at a USPS mailbox or post office. 

It is important to choose a mail type, called a USPS mail class, that will work best for your business. You will need to take into account efficiency and speed while also considering costs and your profit margins. Choosing the right USPS mail class can help to maintain customer satisfaction and can directly impact your bottom line.

The 6 Mail Classes of USPS

USPS breaks mail types and services down into six different mail classes, each with different features, postage costs, service levels, and requirements for presorting. You will generally choose your mail class based on the contents of what you are mailing out and the postage. 

These are the six different USPS mail classes and their contents:

• Priority Mail Express: This covers anything that can be mailed, including letters and merchandise.
• Priority Mail: This is anything that can be mailed, including personal correspondence, bills, invoices, and merchandise.
• First-Class Mail: This is anything that can be mailed, including personal correspondence, bills, invoices, and merchandise.
• Periodicals: This covers newsletters and magazines, and it requires formal authorization.
• USPS Marketing Mail: This covers circulars, advertisements, newsletters, small parcels, and merchandise.
• Package Services and USPS Retail Ground: This covers printed material, catalogs, computer media, and merchandise.

Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and First-Class Mail are the most commonly used USPS mail classes for e-commerce businesses. The following chart can help you determine which mail class will fit with your business needs best:

Class of Mail	Speed	Low Cost	Free Forwarding & Return	Extra Services	Incentives
Priority Mail Express	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Priority Mail	Yes	Available options	Yes	Yes	Yes
First-Class Mail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
USPS Marketing Mail	No	Yes	No	Only for parcels	Yes
Periodicals	Yes	Yes, for in country	Free for 60 days	No	Yes
Package Services and USPS Retail Ground	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

Priority Mail Express

With delivery offered 365 days a year in many locations, Priority Mail Express is the fastest service offered by the USPS. It offers expedited shipping with a guarantee of 1- or 2-day delivery by 3 PM. The extra service option of delivery by 10:30 AM, Sunday, and holiday deliveries where available are available for an extra charge. Up to $100 in insurance is also included.

With Priority Mail Express, you can mail packages of fixed dimensions that are up to 70 pounds with free packing materials from your local post office. The price will be based on weight and how far it needs to travel, with the exception of Priority Mail Express Flat Rate shipping.

If overnight or expedited delivery is essential, then Priority Mail Express is your best option with USPS. Priority Mail Express can be great for sending things like important business documents and sales contracts. For most of your e-commerce business shipping needs, Priority Mail and First-Class Mail will be the best options with Priority Mail Express reserved for time-sensitive documents.

Priority Mail

Priority Mail is one of the most common and cost-effective shipping methods for e-commerce businesses. Priority Mail can still offer quick delivery times and free packaging materials. Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, and you can add USPS Tracking and Registered Mail services for an additional fee. 

Costs will be based on how far your mail is traveling and how heavy it is unless you are using Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping. When using USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping, you can mail anything up to 70 pounds that fits easily into the provided packing materials for a set flat rate. You can also get discounts for commercial accounts on Priority Mail through the USPS.

First-Class Mail

When shipping lightweight items (up to 13 ounces for packages and 3.5 ounces for letters), the USPS First-Class Mail option can offer the best value for your e-commerce shipping needs. Delivery speeds are between one and three days, and the price will be the same no matter how far your mail is traveling. Services such as Registered Mail and Certified Mail can be added on for an additional cost.

First-Class Mail postcards and letters are often a good option for mailers. If they are mailed at single-piece prices, no mailing permit, special payment, or extra time to presort the mail is needed. You will simply need to put a stamp on the letter or postcard and drop it at the post office or in a USPS mailbox.

Periodicals

Intended for newspapers, magazines, and publications that are published at regular intervals, the Periodicals class of mail is rarely used by an e-commerce business. It requires a special application with a nonrefundable fee to qualify for authorization. Unless you are sending out physical printed newsletters to your customer base, you will not use the Periodicals mail class.

USPS Marketing Mail

You can use USPS Marketing Mail for promotional items, coupons, catalogs, or flyers as an e-commerce business. The USPS Marketing Mail class relies on bulk pricing, and you will need to send out a minimum of 50 pounds of mail or a quantity of 200 pieces. 

Prices are based on size with separate pricing for letters and large envelopes or flats. They also offer specific price points for parcels, marketing parcels, and Parcel Select Lightweight parcels.

Package Services & USPS Retail Ground

Package Services has three sub-classes, which are Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail. Each of these sub-classes is best suited for a particular type of mail. 

Generally, Package Services will not be a class of mail used frequently for an e-commerce business. There is no expedited service, free forwarding, or return services for Package Services and USPS Retail Ground.

USPS Retail Ground is often used for merchandise and gifts that are not required to be sent as First-Class Mail and for single-piece mailings since bulk prices do not apply. USPS Tracking is included. Costs are often similar to Priority Mail; however, you do not get the expedited shipping or free forwarding and return.

Choosing the Best Mail Class for Your E-Commerce Business

When deciding which USPS mail class to use for your e-commerce business, you should consider these three main factors:

1. Weight of what is being sent
2. How far it needs to travel
3. Cost of postage

The goal is to find the best value along with the most efficient option. Typically, Priority Mail will be the most cost-efficient option with the most services included. With its moderate shipping speed and affordable flat rate options, Priority Mail can often fulfill most of your e-commerce business shipping needs.

If you need to mail something faster and are willing to pay a little more to do so, Priority Mail Express is a good option. This is often reserved for items that absolutely must be shipped and received quickly. When sending marketing materials, USPS Marketing Mail can be the ideal option.

You can also receive volume shipping discounts with USPS by connecting with a representative to discuss your options. Partnering with a 3PL (third-party logistics) can help to ensure that you receive the best possible shipping rates with the fastest shipping times.

References

Classes of Mail. (2022). USPS.

Priority Mail Express. (2022). USPS.

Priority Mail. (2022). USPS.

First-Class Mail. (2022). USPS.

Periodicals. (2022). USPS.

USPS Marketing Mail. (2022). USPS.

Package Services and USPS Retail Ground. (2022). USPS.