Priority Mail
Minimum Weight:
- none
Maximum Weight:
- 70 pounds.
Required Marking:
- "Priority Mail"
All matter that is mailable by air transportation can be mailed as Priority Mail. Some things MUST be mailed as Priority Mail (or First-Class Mail), including:
- Handwritten or typewritten material.
- Bills, statements of account or invoices, credit cards.
- Personal correspondence (a letter to Grandma), personalized business correspondence (a handwritten letter to your customer).
- All matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.
If getting your mail there fast is your top priority, Priority Mail offers the best value. Priority Mail postage includes forwarding and return service. You can enhance the service, security, and convenience of Priority Mail by adding extra services such as USPS Tracking and Registered Mail. Registered Mail service is available at retail Post Offices and online for a fee. USPS Tracking is free of charge on Priority Mail.
Priority Mail postage is determined by how far the mailpiece must travel to get to its destination: the farther it travels the more you pay in postage.The actual distance is measured by "zones." Zones range from zone 1 (local, close to you) to zone 9 (very far away from you). The farther the mail travels,the more zones it crosses, and the more postage you pay. You can accesszone charts online.Dimensional Weight Price: Postage for parcels addressed for deliveryto zones 1-9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.(Including Priority Mail Commercial Base and Commercial Plus)
The Postal Service offers special prices for Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes or Boxes. Regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs.) or domestic destination, any amount of material that fits into a USPS-provided Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope or Box can be mailed for one low price (the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds). Many Priority Mail envelopes, boxes, and tubes are available for free from your local Post Office. All Packaging can be ordered on-line at www.usps.com/store.
Discounts are available for Priority Mail customers using specific postage payment methods (called Commercial Base prices) and for customers meeting specific volume requirements (called Commercial Plus prices). Items are required to meet eligibility standards and must contain an Intelligent Mail barcode or you could be charged a non-compliance fee.
TIPS
- First-Class Mail items weighing more than 13 ounces is called Priority Mail.
- If you use your own envelope or box for Priority Mail, identify it with the marking, "Priority Mail."
- Priority Mail packaging provided by the USPS must be used only for Priority Mail. Regardless of how the packaging is reconfigured or how markings may be obliterated, any matter mailed in USPS-produced Priority Mail packaging is charged the appropriate Priority Mail price.
- Many mailers use a service called "Priority Mail Open and Distribute" to speed up the delivery of their USPS Marketing Mail. After a postal employee formally accepts your USPS Marketing Mail, you mail your trays or sacks of USPS MarketingMail via Priority Mail to the postal facility nearest the final destination of your mail. This is a very cost effective way to get your message to your customer sooner.
- Price List - Notice 123
- Business Calculator – Compute prices for all commercial mail
- Order Priority Mail supplies
FAQs
Priority Mail® service includes tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days1.
How reliable is USPS priority mail? ›
How reliable is Priority Mail vs Priority Mail Express? Priority Mail doesn't offer a delivery guarantee, meaning your package may be delayed. Priority Mail Express is a guaranteed service, meaning your package should be delivered as promised, or you get your money back.
How to fill out priority mail envelope USPS? ›
Envelopes: Write your address (the "return" or "sender" address) in the top left corner. Write the delivery address (the "recipient" address) in the bottom center.
Is USPS priority mail guaranteed? ›
Priority Mail may arrive in 1 day, 2 days or 3 days based on where you're shipping your package from and where it's being sent. (The scheduled delivery day can be found when postage is calculated) This is not a guaranteed service. Date of delivery is not guaranteed.
What if priority mail takes longer than 3 days? ›
If your mail sent via priority mail is delayed or doesn't arrive by the schedule, you can be interested in a money-back guarantee. In such cases, you can request a refund through the USPS website.
What's the longest priority mail can take? ›
How long does USPS priority mail take? USPS offers several different options for priority mail. Standard priority mail promises delivery within one to three business days for domestic shipments. Transit times will probably vary depending on the originating and final package locations.
What are the rules for priority mail? ›
The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs. The maximum size for Priority Mail items is 108 inches in combined length and girth (the length of the longest side, plus the distance around its thickest part). The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is priced at $8.95, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled.
Does priority mail require a signature? ›
A signature is required for Priority Mail Express COD, or Priority Mail Express with additional insurance. Retail Priority Mail Express 1-Day and 2-Day items may be mailed at Post Offices, stations, and branches; dropped into Priority Mail Express collection boxes; handed to carriers; or picked up by the USPS.
Can you write directly on priority mail envelope? ›
In general it is ok to write things on the outside of an envelope such as "Past Due," "Open Immediately," "Dated Materials," etc.
What happens if USPS Priority mail is not delivered? ›
Priority Mail Express® service items may be eligible for a refund. The United States Postal Service® refunds the postage and, if purchased, the Sunday or holiday premium fee: When the item is not delivered by the guaranteed delivery date and time specified at the time of mailing.
USPS.com provides you with two options at www.usps.com/pickup to have your Priority Mail, Express Mail, and international services packages picked up by a carrier. These options are Carrier Pickup™ service and Pickup on Demand ® service.
Can Priority mail get lost? ›
Priority Mail Express® Service
Using the tracking numbers, you can check the delivery status online at USPS Tracking®. If seven (7) or more days have passed since the date of mailing and the recipient has confirmed the item has not arrived, you may either submit a search request for your lost mailpiece and/or email us.
How long will priority mail take from zip code to zip code? ›
Generally speaking, standard mail takes around 3 to 4 days for it to be delivered, priority mail takes 1 to 3 days, and priority express mail takes 1 to 2 days. This does all depend on your zip code and your recipient's zip code (which is why the aforementioned online time calculators were invented).
Does priority mail deliver on Sunday? ›
While the USPS does deliveries on Sunday, it only delivers Priority Mail Express items and certain Amazon parcels. For Sunday deliveries, recipients can expect to receive the following types of packages: Priority Mail packages. First-Class packages (applicable to Sunday Holidays)
How fast is USPS 1-day priority mail? ›
Priority Mail Express is a guaranteed service. What does that mean? 1- and 2-day Delivery is guaranteed, which means that if the package is not delivered on time, you can apply for a refund. 1-Day Delivery guarantees delivery at 12:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. (destination time zone) the next day.
