Mail Service: The Most Comprehensive Guide For Mail Services
Mail Service: The Most Comprehensive Guide For Mail Services
Whenever we think of mailing, the first thing that comes to mind is the US Postal Service. But how many mail services does the USPS offer? Which postal service is the most cost-effective for us? What kind of stamps is suitable for priority mail? You will get the answer you are looking for after reading this article.
What is USPS Postal Service?
I always hold the opinion that if you want to use the services of an institution, you must first understand what it is all about to make better use of its services. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an agency responsible for delivery services – that is the definition of the USPS in most people’s minds. However, unlike other private delivery service companies or agencies, the USPS is unique in that it is a federal agency that does not collect taxes on its operating costs but relies on postage and the sale of products and services to fund its operations.
The USPS is bound by its universal service obligations-a set of requirements that ensure that the Postal Service is available to all users at a reasonable price. The USPS is also the third largest employer in the United States (including the employment of nearly 100,000 veterans) and has long enjoyed the most favorable public opinion.
For example, the USPS has the task of delivering mail to all locations (urban and rural) in the United States and in sanctuaries such as Puerto Rico and to troops and diplomats overseas. It is unprofitable for private courier services such as FedEx or UPS to deliver to many rural and other areas. For this reason, the USPS often handles the last-mile-mails on behalf of these private companies since the Postal Service has existing infrastructure in these locations while the private companies do not.
The USPS also plays an important role in promoting public safety. It is a uniquely government-funded agency, not a business, which is vital to our country.
How many types of mail service does the US Postal Service have?
According to the USPS, there are six classes of USPS mail types. From regular First Class Mail® letter mail to overnight express mail such as Priority Mail Express.
1. Priority Mail Express (the fastest shipping option)
Priority Mail Express is the fastest shipping option offered by USPS. It offers one-day or two-day express service guaranteed by 3 pm arrival for every shippable package. Even more awesome, it includes $100 worth of insurance. Priority Mail Express can even deliver 365 days a year to many locations in the United States. Delivery on Sundays and holidays is also available for an additional charge.
In addition to the flat-rate Priority Mail Express package offered by the USPS, the price of Priority Mail Express is based on the weight of the shipment and the distance it travels. If it matters to you that your package arrives at its destination overnight, Priority Mail Express would be the best option. If delivery can wait a day or two, First Class Mail and Priority Mail are relatively economic options.
2. Priority Mail.
Priority Mail is often considered the least expensive shipping option for e-commerce. The cost of Priority Mail is based on the distance the package travels to reach its destination (the farther the distance, the higher the postage cost). The actual distance is measured by “zone.” Shipping zones range from Zone 1 (local, near you) to Zone 9 (far away from you). The farther the mail travels, the more zones it goes through, and the more you’ve to pay for postage.
USPS even offers free packaging! USPS offers special pricing for Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes or boxes. With a weight limit of 70 pounds, anything that fits in the Priority Mail flat-rate box offered by USPS can be shipped for a flat rate. Many Priority Mail envelopes, cartons, and tubes are available free of charge at your local post office. All packages can be ordered online.
While this shipping method isn’t as fast as the 1-2 day Priority Mail Express shipping, it does offer fast delivery to vendors at a lower shipping cost, if you’re shipping more than 13 ounces, Priority Mail is a great shipping option for fast delivery at a lower price!
3. First-Class Mail.
First Class Mail is delivered within one to three days and is a cost-effective shipping option for individuals and small businesses. If your mail weighs less than 3.5 ounces and you don’t need overnight delivery, use First Class Mail.
First Class Mail costs $0.55 per envelope and $0.60 for a first-class stamp. It doesn’t matter how far the mail travels. Postage for First Class Mail includes forwarding and return. You can add additional services to First Class Mail, such as registered and certified mail. These services are available for an additional charge.
Many young mailers use First-Class Mail for postcards and letters because there’s no special payment method, no mailing permit, and no additional time to preprocess mail when you send it at the single-piece rate. You just stick a stamp on it and drop it in a USPS postbox or post office.
4. Media Mail.
Media Mail is a cost-effective way to send media and educational materials. Restrictions on the type of media wouldn’t be an issue if you use the mailing service instead. Content that can be sent by Media Mail is shown below:
-Books (minimum 8 pages)
-Films with a width of 16 mm or narrower
-Printed sheet music and test materials
-Video and audio recordings
-Scripts and manuscripts
-Printed educational reference charts
-Medical flip charts and flip charts
-Computer-readable media, such as video games, computer drives
5. Periodicals.
Periodicals Mail is for newspapers, magazines, and other periodical publications.
6. Parcel Services/USPS Retail Ground.
Parcel Services is the generic term for three specific categories of mail. Printed Bound, Media Mail, and Library Mail. Each subcategory is best suited for a specific type of mail.
which class of mail is right for your mailing?
See the table below to determine which mailing best meets your needs.
Mail Class | Speed | Starting Price | Cheapest Tracking Option | Restrictions | Pros
| Cons | Where to Pay Postage |
Priority Mail Express | Next-Day to 2-Day Guarantee by 6 PM | $27.25 (at Post Office & Online)
$23.75 (Commercial) | Free USPS Tracking | N/A | 365 Days/Year Next Day Delivery. USPS offers free packaging. The only USPS method with guaranteed delivery dates. Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. No surcharges for fuel or home delivery. | The Most expensive USPS Mail Class. | At Post Office & Online |
Priority Mail | Shipping in 1–3 Business Days | $9.00 (at Post Office & Online)
$7.62 (Commercial) | Free USPS Tracking | N/A | 1-3 day delivery of shipments nationwide. A variety of flat rates are available to simplify shipping. USPS offers free packaging. Affordable rates. Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds. No surcharges for fuel or home delivery. | More costly than other less costly USPS mail categories. Less expensive options, such as First-Class Mail, can be just as fast. | At Post Office & Online |
First-Class Mail | Mail in 1–5 Business Days; Small Packages in 2–5 Business Days | $0.60 (at Post Office & Online)
$0.455 (Commercial)6 | $4.00 Certified Mail | Shape and weight restrictions | Low cost and high speed – an excellent price-performance ratio for letter mail. The price is not affected by distance. No additional charges for fuel or home delivery. | The maximum weight is just 3.5 ounces. First class mail is not offered with USPS tracking. | At Post Office |
Media Mail | Shipping in 2–8 Business Days | $3.49 (at Post Office)
$2.17 (Commercial) | Free USPS Tracking | Content restrictions apply | For anything over 13 ounces, the least expensive and cheapest shipping service. Price is based on weight, not distance. Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. No additional charges for fuel or home delivery. | Much longer and slower than most other email categories. Content must be books, sound recordings, recorded videotapes, printed music, or recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy discs). | At Post Office |
First-Class Package Service | Mail in 2-5 Business Days | $4.80 (at Post Office)
$3.62 (Commercial) | Free USPS Tracking | Shape and weight restrictions |
|
| At Post Office (& Online with a Click-N-Ship business account) |
USPS Retail Ground | Mail in 2-5 Business Days | $8.80 (at Post Office) | Free USPS Tracking | N/A |
|
| At Post Office |
How do I get stamps for priority mail?
Life is full of forever stamps worth $0.60. You may wonder if there is a stamp for priority mail and how I get stamps for priority mail. I can tell you the answer is yes! There is really a new stamp for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
Palace of Fine Arts Priority Mail Express Stamp is featured with the Palace of Fine Arts and is denominated at $26.95, the same as the current price of a flat-rate Priority Mail Express envelope. Monument Valley Priority Mail Stamp, features Monument Valley, an iconic landscape of the American West and is denominated at $8.95, the current price of a flat-rate Priority Mail envelope. With these stamps， you can easily mail Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail envelopes at the 2022 rate and don’t need to be worried about whether Forever Stamps can work and how many Forever Stamps you need.
