The definition is in the name: Of all the shipping classes it offers, USPS® prioritizes the delivery of its Priority Mail® services:
- priority mail express®: 1-2 day or next day delivery of anything mailable up to 70lbs.
- priority mail: 2-3 business day delivery on anything mailable up to 70 lbs.
- first-class mail®: mail delivery 1-3 business days, small packages up to 13 oz.
- usps retail ground®: 2 to 8 business days delivery for any size/weight packages
- media mail®: 2 to 8 business days for delivery of educational materials and media
In addition to Express Priority Mail, Priority Mail is divided into two further categories: Priority Mail Flat Rate and Retail/Business Priority Mail.
Read on to find out which priority mail service is right for your business, find answers to frequently asked questions, and get tips for sending priority mail from home.
frequently asked questions about the price and delivery time of priority mail
is priority mail shipping faster than flat rate shipping?
Delivery times are the same for Priority Mail shipping and Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping, with both estimated to arrive in two to three business days.
priority mail express is the only priority shipping service that guarantees your delivery time, with one to two day or overnight shipping options available. priority mail express is more expensive than the other types of priority.
Is priority mail flat rate less expensive than retail/commercial priority mail?
it depends. Most online sellers that ship priority mail from home use the flat rate to ship small, heavy packages and the commercial ones to ship large, light packages. here’s why:
priority mail flat rate allows you to ship domestic packages up to 70 pounds. to any state in the united states for the same price (or flat rate). if your item fits into that official fixed price predetermined mail package, you can ship it at that rate. When shopping online, prices start at $7.65 for a flat rate small box.
Priority Mail retail and business rates are based on weight, dimensions and destination. If your package is large, lightweight, and destined for a location in an area near you, Retail/Business Priority Mail may be cheaper. for example, you can ship a 1-pound package within a 51-150 mile radius for $7.02.
what is the difference between retail and business priority mail?
Priority mail retail is the price you will pay if you purchase priority mail postage at your local post office. Priority Business Mail is the rate USPS offers when you purchase priority postage through an online shipping service like pitneyship.
Priority mail retail is the most expensive option. By being able to offer commercial rates to all of its subscribers, pitneyship offers substantial savings over the retail rates you receive at the post office.
which priority mail option is better: flat rate or metered?
Measured mail is a fancy way of saying mail that is weighed to determine your shipping rate, as is done for retail/business and first class priority mail. As for which is better or less expensive, it again depends on how heavy your package is and where you’re going.
If you’re shipping metered rates from home, you’ll need a scale to determine the weight of your package. An online shipping solution like Pitneyship includes a layover with its service, as well as postal discounts on priority mail packages and first class postage.
is priority mail delivered on sundays?
Express express mail packages are delivered on Sundays. Regular Priority Mail packages are not (except for some packages shipped through Amazon® Fulfillment).
frequently asked questions about extras and priority mail options
what about priority mail tracking?
As long as your package includes an official Priority Mail shipping label and barcode, free tracking is included.
Can I insure my priority mail shipments?
yes, your priority mail shipments include, at no additional charge, $50 or $100 insurance for loss, damage and missing merchandise. additional insurance can also be purchased.