The United States Postal Service handled 129.2 billion pieces of mail last year, of which 52.6 billion were first class.
With that staggering figure in mind, it’s amazing that the organization runs so efficiently every day. still, many people like to have the security of following up with their mail.
you may be wondering: does usps first class have tracking? here’s what you need to know.
does usps first class track in 2022?
usps first class mail comes with tracking options that are available at no additional charge for commercial packages and first class package retailers. however, first-class mail postcards, letters, and plans are not eligible for tracking. Alternatively, customers can add additional services that offer some degree of tracking information.
To learn more about what First Class Mail is automatically tracked, how much it costs to add tracking, and what kind of additional services there are for First Class Mail, keep reading below!
is usps first class mail automatically tracked?
usps first class mail is automatically tracked if the item shipped is a first class package.
first class mail is what we consider “normal” mail; It consists of three types: letters, flats (large envelopes) and packages (or parcels).
Unfortunately, only packages come with free tracking applied automatically when shipped first class.
letters and plans can be tracked to some extent, but not to the same extent as actual tracking of a package, and there is an additional cost to add the service (see below).
how much does it cost to add tracking to first class?
If you ship a package first class, tracking is free!
To be more exact, the cost is included in the shipping price.
Simply take your package to the post office and tell them you want to send it first class. they will weigh it and you will pay per ounce.
price typically starts at $4 for 1-4 ounce weights, then grows from there, up to 13 ounces max.
(You can find a good chart showing shipping prices here. Scroll down to First Class Parcel Service: Retail, Retail Parcels.)
according to the usps website, if you are shipping a large envelope and it exceeds the weight limit, it will be increased in package shipping.
While that costs more, it also means that what you’re shipping comes with free tracking.
how do you add tracking to first class mail?
To add tracking to a package or first-class package, you can take it to the post office or print a shipping label at home.
However, if you are printing the label at home, there are only a few different sites that have partnered with USPS and will allow you to do so.
at the post office
At the post office, go to the front desk and say you’d like to send the box first class.
(Otherwise, you’ll likely be given all the options for mailing it, along with prices.)
then the postman will weigh your package. remember that items weighing 1 to 4 ounces start at $4, and then the price progressively goes up from there.
If your item weighs more than 13 ounces, you will not be able to ship it first class; it will be transferred to a different usps mail service, such as priority or express priority.
(Although these options are more expensive, they also come with tracking and delivery guarantees).
the postman will print a label, you will pay and then you will leave with a receipt.
The receipt will contain the tracking information for the package. you can give that number to the recipient so they can also track the item.
online
if you want to print a first class package label at home, you must register with an approved provider, such as ebay or paypal, or an online mail service such as sendpro.
if you’re using a site like ebay or paypal, they give you the convenience of creating and printing premium shipping labels right on the site (but only if you’re approved to do so).
Which site you’re using, you’ll receive an online receipt once you’ve paid and completed the process.
For First Class packages, you will receive a tracking number with your online receipt in your transaction records and likely in your transaction confirmation email.
that’s what you’ll use to track the package and what you can give your recipient so they can also track the item on its journey.
does this make you realize you probably bought stuff online and tracked it down with first class tracking, without even realizing it?
how do you track a first class letter?
You can’t track a first-class letter the same way you can track a package, but USPS offers additional services that give the sender assurance that an item was received.
You won’t know where an item is on its journey, but you can be more confident that it was delivered, sometimes right into the recipient’s hands.
certified mail
The first option is certified mail.
certified mail is sent with a special green form attached to the envelope. it costs $3.75 currently.
With certified mail, the recipient signs the form, and that is returned to the sender as confirmation that the correspondence was received.
It also confirms the date the item was shipped and the date it was received, making it especially useful for legal matters.
confirmation signature
another service adjacent to tracking for first class letters or flat envelopes is signature confirmation.
This service can be purchased online or at post offices, and gives the sent mail an additional layer of security by guaranteeing, through the signature, that the recipient received the item.
in fact, they must present valid identification to prove they are the intended recipient.
usps has a signed delivery record, and they can email, fax, or even mail it to you.
this is $3.45 at a post office and only $2.90 when purchased online.
informed delivery
Unfortunately, these plugins are more for the peace of mind of the sender and do not benefit the recipient.
However, you can tell your recipient to sign up for informed delivery. this is a free service from usps where you sign up for an account and you can see the day’s incoming mail.
You can check online or receive emails every day.
It’s not a follow up, but it’s a useful way to stay on top of what’s coming up.
To learn more about USPS tracking and delivery services, you may also be interested in reading about whether or not USPS sends text messages, whether USPS uses Apple Pay, and whether USPS delivers to homes.
conclusion
usps offers tracking on first class mail, but only on small packages, up to 13 ounces.
Letters and flat envelopes do not come with tracking and cannot be tracked (unless shipping is upgraded, for a fee, to priority or priority express).
However, USPS offers a number of complementary services that can assure the sender that the item reached the recipient.