USPS Shipping

Have you ever wondered which USPS shipping service you need to go for? With the abundant rise in everyday mails, the has also been a significant increase in the kind of shipping options. A huge variety of mails nowadays consists of business mails that are highly confidential and need to be delivered urgently. To help you find the right shipping service based on your needs and the kind of package that you are delivering, USPS has a wide variety of shipping services that you can choose from. But which service should you go for? Which one is the fastest? What is the most affordable shipping service? Let’s answer these questions below…

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USPS Shipping Services

Be it domestic mail or international mail, USPS has the right shipping service for you. All you have to do is figure out what kind of service you need before sending a package. Many important factors such as the size and weight of the package, the kind of delivery that you want, and how quickly you want the package to be shipped play a significant role in determining the kind of service that you want. These factors also reflect the cost of the service. Here is a list of some of the most widely used shipping services, featuring both international and domestic shipping.

International Shipping

USPS delivers internal mails to more than 180 countries. But due to the pandemic, USPS no longer delivers mails internationally to a few countries. You can take a look at the page to find out more information about the international delivery suspensions. Based on the following factors, you can select an international mail service:

• The speed of delivery
• The postage price that you need to pay
• Flat rate shipping
• Packages that include insurance and tracking

Fastest Delivery Packages

Global Express Guaranteed

This USPS shipping service is one of the fastest international mailing services. This service takes up only 1-3 days to ship your package internationally. The Global Express service also includes next-day delivery to many locations across the world. This service is date-certain and also gives a money-back guarantee with a starting price point of $67.80. The weight limit of the shipment is 70 lbs(some countries have a lower limit) and the delivery is carried by FedEx Express. GXG also includes tracking and $100 insurance.

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Priority Mail Express International

Priority Mail is also one of the fastest services that ship mails globally. When compared to GXG, this mailing service is rather affordable and provides a reliable service. The mails are delivered to the destination within a week(3-5 days). There is an option for a date-certain delivery along with a money-back guarantee which is only available for a few destinations.

• The ship by weight is 70 lbs and the free flat rate envelops for 4 lbs.
• Although the price point is $45.95, the price might vary depending on countries
• Tracking and $100 insurance available
• Free Package pickup for home or office

Affordable International Delivery Options

Priority Mail International

One of the most affordable solutions to deliver packages internationally within 6-10 business days. The flat rate envelopes have a maximum weight of 4 lbs, and the flat rate boxes can go up to 20 lbs. The cost of Priority Mail International is $45.95, and it includes package tracking and insurance. There’s also a $200 insurance to cover the damage costs of merchandise such as gifts or other goods.

First-Class Package International Service

You can opt for this service if you wish to send lightweight packages globally. The price starts at $14.25 and can vary depending on the destination country. You can send packages that are within 4 lbs and have a value of less than $400.

Documents and Printed Materials

First-Class Mail International

To send documents and other forms of printed materials, you can opt for this service. You can ship documents like books, postcards, large envelopes to more than 180 destinations.

• Send post cards or letters with the Global Forever Stamp at $1.30
• The weight of the large envelopes must not exceed more than 15.994 oz
• If the postcards and letters do not follow the size, weight and shape requirements, then you must pay an additional charge based on the restrictions imposed by the destination countries.

Airmail M-Bags

If you want to send large quantities of printed text, then this is the most affordable service. Printed material like journals, books, printed papers, magazines, newspapers, etc., can be sent at a starting rate of $51.70 at the Post Office. The maximum weight limit for a single M-Bag shouldn’t exceed beyond 66 lbs.

Domestic Shipping

USPS has many domestic mailing services that enable a person to send important packages across the country. These services range from the fastest to the most affordable services. Due to the pandemic, shipping in certain areas takes longer than usual, however, the next-day delivery does not get affected.

Priority Mail Express

Priority Mail Express is the fastest domestic mailing service that delivers mails on all days of the week, i.e., 365 days a year(to deliver packages on Sundays or a holiday, you need to pay an additional charge). The packages are delivered to the destination by 6 PM and this service has a money-back guarantee. Ship a package of weight 70 lbs to any state within the USA. Packages are either delivered on the next day or within 2 days. The price starts at $26.60.

Priority Mail

The USPS Priority Mail Time is delivered within 1-3 business days. These mails start at $7.95 which includes both tracking and insurance. Through this service, you can also track your package and estimate the delivery date through the Priority Mail Delivery Map. You also get Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes to ship your packages to any of the states within the USA for up to 70 lbs. With Priority Mail, sign up for free package pickup either from your home or from your office.

First Class Mails

The first Class Mails start at a rate of $0.58 and take 1-5 days to deliver domestic envelopes weighing 3.5 oz and large packages weighing 13 oz will take 1-3 days to deliver. The First Class Mails comprise 30% of the total packages delivered by the USPS services. Remember that the size of the envelopes matters, as any large-sized envelope has a higher charge. The standard envelope size is rectangular, if not, then extra charges may apply.

Media Mail

Sending any kind of media domestically starts at a cost of $3.19. You can send books(up to 8 pages only), printed materials, video or audio recordings, transcripts, and educational charts, etc. This material takes 2-8 days to deliver. The maximum weight of the package must not exceed 70 lbs.

USPS Retail Ground

If the packages are too large for Priority Mails, then they can be sent using USPS Retail Ground service. The price starts at a rate of $7.95. The weight limit is similar to all the other packages which are 70 lbs. This shipment service is only available at the USPS post offices.

How to Calculate the USPS Shipping Rates?

The USPS shipping rate calculator is an online tool that can be used to calculate the shipping rates of the packages. With the USPS Shipping Calculator, you can find the amount of money that you end up paying for sending your package internationally or domestically without having to do any guesswork. The software estimates the total amount based on the input provided by the user.

• Click on the USPS Shipping Calculator
• For business shipping rates, you can check out the USPS Business Shipping Calculator
• Enter all the details mentioned on the page such as the Destination, Zip Codes, Date and Time, etc.
• Then select the shipment type. You can select any USPS flat rate boxes or letter, postcards, small or large packages, etc. The page will then show the expected delivery dates along with the postal and retail rates
• By clicking on the Display All Options, you can compare all the shipping options
• You can opt for additional services like Certificate of Mailing, Insurance, etc.
• Then tap on Continue to find out the total shipping cost to the destination
• In this step, you need to pay for the shipping through the Click-n-Ship page and then print the postage

USPS Flat Rate Shipping Service

If shipping a product online wasn’t much of a hassle in itself, the increase in the number of shipping rates is also a primary aspect to consider. With the USPS Flat rate shipping service, you can reduce the amount of money you spend on shipping costs. In this service, you can ship heavy packages, as the weight or size of the package does not have an impact on the shipping cost. The package reaches the destination within 1-3 days and the need to weigh the package to determine the cost of shipping is eliminated. You should make sure that the package does not cross 70 lbs. USPS Priority Flat Rate Shipping Service makes it possible to deliver heavy packages to farther destinations without having to measure the dimensions of the package.

Working of Flat Rate Shipping

The working of flat rate shipping is very simpler. The term flat rate refers to the fact that the contents present within the box does not have any effect on the total cost. In simpler words, you can stuff as many items into the box unless the weight does not cross 70 lbs.

• Pick a flat rate shipping box at the USPS local post office. These boxes are of various sizes, i.e., small, medium, and large. Just remember that the bigger the box, the higher the price. No matter which box you choose, the weight must not exceed 70 lbs.
• Now stuff the contents into the package and ensure the weight capacity is not exceeded
• Take your shipping box to the local post office after getting it addressed and ship the box using Priority Mail

What Is the USPS Shipping Process?

Let’s say that you want to ship a package with USPS. How would you do it? What’s the process? And how do these mails get transported to the destination? Let’s find out…

• To ship a package, you need to find the right box so that the contents that you wish to send are sent carefully. Make sure that the boxes have a standard size which will save you from paying any additional fee
• Prepare and pack your box so that the contents within do not get spilled. Use a packing tape to pack the box and do not include any restricted items in the box
• Clearly address your pack by either writing or printing the labels.
• Based on how urgent the package is, select a mailing service. Remember that other factors such as the weight, speed, delivery time, contents of the package, etc., should also be considered.
• Use the postage calculator to find out the postage value and then pay for the postage value
• The final step is to ship your package. You can opt for a free package pickup or drop the package off at the post office.

The First Class and Priority Mails are delivered to the respective destinations by air or by road. Most domestic packages are delivered through trucks. As USPS is associated with many private carriers, all its airways and road transports operate accordingly.

Problems With the USPS Shipping Services

As per the recent reports, sending packages with USPS has become difficult due to many reasons. During the first half of 2021, 20% of the First Class packages were late. Also, there have been significant changes in the delivery system due to which the First Class Mails would take 5 days to deliver instead of just 3 days. Additionally, there has also been a significant rise in the shipping price during holiday seasons which is a part of the new resolution made by the new PostMaster General Louis DeJoy. There has also been a reduction in the number of office hours which counts as another reason for late delivery.

As per the new cost-cutting plans, the USPS services aim to reduce the costs by reducing the number of airways and increasing the use of trucks to deliver mails. Although the USPS workers claim that these services increase reliability and help maintain consistency, the mails will take quite some time to reach their destination.

What Are the Customer’s Opinions on the USPS Shipping and Delivery Service?

The customers have mixed opinions about this service. While many customers are happy with the tracking services and timely delivery, some customers were disappointed that they weren’t able to receive their parcels on time. According to a few customers, they were able to receive the package within a week. Some even mentioned that USPS was able to send the package to the right zip code even though the zip code mentioned on the package was wrong.

Moving towards the downsides, the customers feel that due to the latest resolutions made in cutting the costs, the USPS services have delayed deliveries to a great extent. Some even claimed that they weren’t able to receive their packages even after a month. As most packages delivered through First Class Mails are printable and educational material, the customers face a lot of difficulties if the package does not arrive on time. Moreover, many customers have claimed that a few of their packages contained prescribed medications for heart issues and diabetes. Due to lack of customer support and inefficiency in the delivery system, most customers are using other quick mailing services to send their packages on time.

Conclusion

Shipping a package across a country or internationally has never been easier. There are so many things that go into shipping a package. You need to carefully decide the shipping service based on what you plan to send and how quickly you want the service to be. USPS has many shipping services that can help you deliver your package to the destination in a timely fashion. You only need to understand which service is the best and can give you maximum benefit.

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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)