As an eCommerce seller, you know that every penny matters when it comes to staying profitable in today’s competitive markets. As such, he is likely already familiar with two of the US. uu. The postal service’s cheapest and most affordable shipping options: First Class Mail and Priority Mail.
but, what is the best option for your company? Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between USPS First Class eCommerce shipping and USPS Priority Mail eCommerce shipping.
what is usps first class mail?
if you’ve ever put a stamp on a letter and put it in a mailbox, you sent it using the usps first class mail service. Generally speaking, First Class Mail is the most cost-effective option for sending large letters, postcards, and envelopes, as well as small packages.
That said, there’s more to USPS First Class Mail than meets the eye. in fact, there are actually three separate first-class services: first-class mail, first-class parcel service (retail), and first-class parcel service (commercial).
ship with usps first class mail
usps first class mail covers the following types of mail and restrictions:
All first class mail pieces are paid per ounce, based on the price of a first class postage stamp. items that fall outside of these ranges or are considered “non-machinable” may be subject to additional charges. eCommerce sellers who ship a high volume of first-class mail pieces may also be eligible for discounted merchant rates.
but, for shippo users, discounted usps rates can be accessed immediately and for free after registration.
First class mail services have an estimated delivery time of 1-5 business days; delivery on a defined day is not available with this service. Tracking is not available for first-class mail shipments, although delivery confirmation services, such as certified mail, may be available.
first class package services: retail vs. commercial
Small packages can also be shipped via USPS First Class Package Service (FCPS), either on a retail or commercial basis.
(note: shippo users only get access to fcps on a commercial basis, which allows them to ship slightly heavier packages without incurring an additional fee or changing delivery service).
Like First Class Mail, First Class Parcel Services are typically delivered within 1-5 business days and are priced per ounce. however, unlike first class mail, first class package services (both retail and commercial) take price zones into account, so your shipping costs may vary depending on the distance between your origin zip code and his destiny.
Visit this page to learn more about the differences between First Class Retail and Commercial Parcel Services, as well as restrictions on what can and cannot be shipped via First Class Services.
what is usps priority mail?
For this article, we’ll look at two popular USPS Priority Mail services: Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate.
(note: priority mail cubic, priority mail express, and regional priority mail rates are also available to shippo users. priority mail cubic offers our biggest discounts with up to 89% off select shipments).
priority mail price is determined by the weight, size and destination area of the package. Priority Mail Flat Rate, on the other hand, allows e-commerce sellers to use USPS-provided packaging and pay a single, flat rate for any item, up to the service’s weight limit.
Just like First Class Mail, USPS Priority Mail allows eCommerce sellers to ship both envelopes and packages. Additionally, both First Class and Priority Mail can be used to ship items both domestically and internationally (delivery times increase for international shipments).
however, there are a few differences you’ll want to be aware of:
- priority mail is usually faster than first class, with an estimated 1-3 business days shipping, rather than 1-5 days.
- priority mail can be use to ship much larger packages (up to 70lbs for some services).
- usps tracking and a small amount of insurance are usually included with your shipment.
- usually , it is more expensive to ship items by priority mail than by first class services when shipments cost less than a pound.
While there are several different services within the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Program, some of the more common services used by e-commerce sellers include:
Express express mail services are also available for items that need to be delivered the next day or within two business days.
how to choose between shipping with usps first class service and usps priority mail
Given the variability between these services, there are several things you’ll want to consider when selecting the right one for your eCommerce shipping:
- the size and weight of your packages
- the distance between you and your buyers
- how quickly you need your items delivered
Let’s see how these differences manifest in the real world with an example. Suppose you sell custom t-shirts that weigh about six ounces each when packaged, and you need to ship a single t-shirt from New York ZIP code 10001 to Chicago ZIP code 60610.
As of this writing, here’s how the different services described above break down in this example:
In this example, if cost savings is your top priority, even if it means sacrificing speed, First Class packet service may make more sense. Interestingly, if speed is a higher priority, it’s still important to do the math. It’s also worth noting that the USPS Priority Mail flat rate box was cheaper than Priority Mail, though it has the added benefit of lowering your packaging costs with the USPS-provided box.
That said, these calculations change if you need to ship longer distances or if you’re shipping more than one jersey at a time. always double check to make sure the shipping service you choose represents the best value for you and your customer’s particular needs.
Having a shipping solution like shippo allows you to compare usps rates for each shipment so you always choose the right shipping service.
access discounted usps shipping services with shippo
It is important to note that the rates listed above reflect what you will be charged if you purchase postage directly from the USPS. You can further reduce shipping costs if you work with shippo.
due to our pre-traded account with the us. uu. postal service, e-commerce businesses can join and get immediate access to discounted shipping rates for usps. Discounts can be found printing shipping labels for USPS Priority Mail®, USPS First-Class Mail®, and many other popular USPS shipping services.
In some cases, eCommerce merchants will be able to create USPS shipping labels for up to 89% off retail rates.
To see exactly how much you could save, sign up now and get started for free.