updated 2.12.2020
Much depends on your company choosing the right shipping method. you need to get your packages and documents where they’re going on time, but you don’t want to overpay.
usps priority mail express is a great solution when time is of the essence. Read on to learn more about the service, including how it compares to others available.
what is usps express priority mail?
Priority Mail Express is the United States Postal Service’s way of offering guaranteed overnight delivery. In terms of priority mail versus urgent express mail, the latter is a higher level of service. includes guarantees and can deliver on Sundays, holidays and until 10:30 am.
usps priority mail time ships in one to three business days. priority mail express will deliver the next business day in most cases, by 12 p.m. m. or 3 p. m. according to origin and destination.
how much does express priority mail cost?
the price of priority mail express depends on the size of the letter or package. flat rates are available for envelope shipments:
- $26.35 for a standard flat rate envelope (12.5″ x 9.5″)
- $26.50 for a legal size flat rate envelope (15″ x 9.5″)
- $26.95 for a padded flat rate envelope (12.5″ x 9.5″)
for packages, the price depends on the weight and shipping area. the zoning is numbered from one to nine depending on the origin and destination zip codes. the greater the distance, the larger the zone number.
The cheapest price for a priority mail express package is the same as a standard flat rate envelope: $26.35 for a package under 0.5 pounds. to be shipped locally or in zones 1 and 2. prices continue to increase as the package gets heavier and/or the distance increases, up to $604.40 for a 70lb package to zone 9.
For an additional fee, you can receive packages before 10:30 the next morning, on a Sunday, or on a holiday, assuming your recipient lives in an area where this option is available. a delivery at 10:30 a.m. m. requires an additional $5 and Sunday or holiday delivery is an additional $12.50.
what can be sent with priority express?
Priority express shipping is available for letters, envelopes, and packages weighing up to 70 pounds. package size should not exceed 108″ when you add length to girth (the total distance around the thickest part of the package).
Regarding the content of the packages, there are no restrictions other than the limitations and prohibitions that the USPS imposes on all domestic or international mail. If you are unsure whether the contents of your package are acceptable for Priority Mail Express®, please refer to USPS Publication 52 or the Official List of International Mail Prohibitions and Restrictions.
limitations of priority mail express service
exceptions and limitations
us postal service. uu. Offers priority express delivery to “most” US locations. uu. Although a complete list of ineligible addresses is not publicly available, you can check the availability of your intended destination on the USPS Service Commitments webpage.
Some locations deliver priority mail express letters and packages, but do not support 1-day delivery. your local post office will have a list of destinations that can receive packages overnight. In most cases, if your destination does not deliver overnight, urgent express mail will arrive via 2-day delivery.
Regardless of any geographical restrictions, your primary concern regarding deliverability is whether priority express aligns with your service level agreement (ANS).
service level agreements and priority express shipping
priority express is the fastest service available through the US Postal Service. It’s generally the safest way to go if you need to guarantee a quick turnaround, but you still have to be careful not to over-promise. there are always limitations and exceptions.
Standard express priority terms say your recipient will receive your package by 12 p.m. or 3 p. m. the next day, depending on local delivery standards. you can pay extra for a 10:30am delivery. m., but priority express does not support a sla that guarantees delivery before 10:30 a.m. m.
In addition, Priority Express’s terms of service state that overnight delivery is only available when your local post office receives the letter or package before the acceptance deadline. If there’s any chance your packages won’t arrive at the post office before that deadline, you may want to adapt your sla accordingly.
how to send express priority mail
if you need to ship a box, usps is your number one choice for urgent priority mail. documents can be sent through the postal service or through click2mail, sendovernightmail or mailform. each service has different terms and conditions.
click2mail.com
click2mail is an online service that handles urgent express mail in document format only.
advantages:
- free customization, including customer name, date, invoice amount, etc.
- signature confirmation included
- single or multiple documents
- upload pdf, .doc or .docx files
cons:
- no options for quantities between 12 and 500 pieces
- overnight guarantees are only available in major metropolitan areas
send night mail
sendovernightmail prints and mails the documents you upload in pdf format. shipping options include priority mail and fedex plus express express mail.
advantages:
- options to specify print conditions, including color vs. black & white and single-sided vs. double-sided
- usps tracking number and delivery notification provided immediately
cons:
- Orders must be placed by 9:30am. m. for same-day departure
- due to processing time, documents may take up to three business days to arrive; sendovernightmail considers usps priority mail saturday delivery but not sunday delivery when estimating delivery time
- surcharges mean the cost is $48.52 and up for a two page document, compared to $26.35 if you go through the post office
mail form
mailform will send documents via fedex and usps. expedited priority mail shipments are available for an additional fee.
advantages:
- easy upload of pdf files to your browser
- color and double-sided printing options
- same day processing for all orders placed before 11 a.m. est
- tracking numbers and delivery notifications sent automatically
cons:
-
additional charge for priority express mail ($39.99 per envelope)
Priority Express Mail is not the only option for guaranteed overnight delivery, although it is often the least expensive. Here’s a comparison of the most popular options, including a breakdown of priority mail versus priority mail.
price
esla
speed
coverage area and destinations
insurance options
fee options
signature and delivery confirmation options
tracking number options
guarantees
priority mail
$7.75 & top
delivery speed according to origin, destination and delivery time
1-3 business days, 6-10 business days for international
national and international
$50 included
discounted business base rate ($7.15) flat rate available (retail only)
fees based on weight, regional or dimensional
delivery confirmation available at no charge, signature confirmation for a fee
included with most shipments
no
express priority mail
$26.35 & top
packages must be delivered before the local cut-off time
until 12:00 or 15:00 the next day, or until 10:30 at an additional cost
national and international.
1 day shipping to most metro areas, 2 day shipping to most other us locations. uu.
$100 included
discounted business base rate ($22.75 and up)
weight-based fee
flat rate (packages and envelopes)
Proof of delivery signature record upon request
included with most shipments
standard
fedex overnight
$23.94 & top
Standard, Priority or First Night
the next business day, at 3 p.m. m. or earlier with exceptions
national only
third party only
first night $54.40 & upstairs priority overnight $24.40 & above, standard night $23.94 & top
available via fedex tracking. multiple signature options available.
included
standard
improves the next day
$23.38 & top
next business day
10:30 a.m. m., 12:00 p.m. m. or eod depending on location
national only
$100 included, up to $50,000 per package for a fee
daily rates per arrangement, retail rates for all others
delivery, signature or adult signature required
included
standard
dhl
$45.80 & up
next business day, terms depend on arrival time selected
at 9 a.m. m., 10:30 a.m. m., 12 p.m. m., 6 p.m. m. or at the end of the day
national or international
Standard liability included. additional insurance for a fee
rates depend on arrival time selection
standard proof of delivery
real-time tracking included
standard
here’s how to send usps urgent express mail online with mailform
- First, head to https://www.mailform.io, and upload your document
- Provide a return address as well as a destination
- Choose which printing options you’d like, including color vs. black/white or single vs. double sided
- Orders entered before 11am EST are fulfilled that same day, and others will be fulfilled next day
- We’ll send you a tracking number when it’s shipped, and a delivery notification when it arrives
the takeaway
When choosing your overnight shipping provider, consider factors such as guarantees and delivery confirmations, as well as price. It may cost more to guarantee on-time arrival, but a satisfied customer is always worth it.
Email us at team@mailform.io with any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions!