key points:
- certified mail provides the sender with proof that the shipment was mailed and when it was delivered
- certified mail is only available with usps first class mail, the first class packages and priority mail
- certified mail is $3.75 per shipment, not including the cost of postage
The United States Postal Service (USPS) processes and delivers 429.9 million pieces of mail each day. so naturally some mail will get lost in transit, which is why merchants may want to use an additional service to confirm delivery.
usps certified mail is an additional service to give merchants the peace of mind they need for their shipments. more specifically, merchants receive an electronic notice proving that a shipment has been successfully shipped and delivered.
This blog post will cover everything you need to know about this additional service. This way, you’ll know if it’s right for your eCommerce business.
what is certified mail?
Certified Mail is an additional USPS service that provides the sender with a shipping receipt and electronic verification to show proof of shipment and proof of delivery.
Certified mail is also available with three other services, such as:
- Restricted Certified Mail Delivery: Customers may direct certified mail delivery only to the recipient (or an authorized agent). restricted delivery ensures that your mail is only delivered to the intended recipient. is also designed specifically for sensitive or confidential mail
- certified mail adult signature required: customers may direct delivery of certified mail only to a person who is 21 years of age or older
- restricted delivery with adult signature by certified mail: customers can limit the delivery of certified mail only to a specific recipient or to an authorized agent who is 21 years of age or older
It is important to note that this service is only available with USPS First Class Mail, First Class Parcel and Priority Mail.
why do people use it?
More than 35.5 million Americans reported being victims of package theft in the past year. therefore, merchants should use certified mail to help reduce the possibility of package theft. With this service, merchants receive proof that a shipment was shipped and received, giving them peace of mind.
certified mail is used for other reasons, such as:
- guarantee delivery
- record keeping to confirm previous delivery or dispute
- track your mail with a unique tracking number
Certified mail is also used for shipments to PO boxes. Since this service requires a signature from the recipient, a mail carrier places a delivery notice in a post office box. once the recipient signs for delivery, you can receive your certified mail.
what is the difference between registered mail and certified mail service?
Both registered and certified mail are very similar in services, but serve different purposes.
Certified mail provides the sender with proof that the shipment was mailed and when it was delivered. on the other hand, certified mail provides the sender with package updates from each step of the shipping process. this distinction means you have more security knowing more eyes and hands are watching your package.
Related post: Can I send usps certified mail?
how to send certified mail
You will need a specific form to send certified mail. visit your local post office and pick up copies of Form 3800 and attach them to your packages yourself.
- Visit your local post office and pick up your Form 3800
- Write all required information on the form
- Remove backing and place label on shipment
- choose usps courier service and pay postage
- decide if you want to purchase restricted delivery service
- consider using usps return receipt service to receive a pdf image of the recipient’s signature
- keep your certified mail receipt and documentation in a safe place
Once you complete the steps above, use your tracking number, which is included on your receipt, to see when and to whom the shipment was delivered.
Can certified mail be delivered without a signature?
no, a postal employee cannot leave certified mail without a signature. if no one can give a signature, the postman will leave a note saying that a delivery attempt was made.
how much does certified mail cost?
certified mail costs $3.75 per shipment, not including the cost of postage. if you want to add a receipt, there is an additional cost of $2.85. This additional service is available for purchase at your local post office or on the USPS website.
However, with easyship, users can save up to 89% on USPS shipping, instead of paying retail rates. This way, merchants can save on all USPS shipping, including all courier services that offer certified mail.
example of easyship certified mail
For example, let’s say you ship a 5-pound package from New York to Miami. We’ll use our free shipping rate calculator to get an instant quote for this example.
As we can see, it costs $17.03 to ship a 5-pound package with USPS Priority Mail. So, the final cost comes to $20.78 when you add the $3.75 certified mail fee. Plus, you’ll receive your parcel in 2 to 3 business days with USPS tracking and free package pickup.
On the other hand, USPS costs $20.35, which doesn’t include the additional $3.75 certified mail charge. So ultimately, eCommerce merchants will save more money using Easyship to power their shipping processes.
send certified mail with easyship
Certified Mail gives merchants the peace of mind they need to ship with up-to-date delivery statuses and delivery confirmation. Merchants can receive electronic proof of package delivery for USPS courier services, such as:
- first class mail
- first class package services
- priority mail
Now, merchants can take the guesswork out of knowing when their shipments will arrive with this value-added mail service. plus, however, merchants can save even more money by using a shipping platform with bulk discounts.
easyship offers multiple features and benefits to help merchants boost their shipping while saving big with discounted shipping rates. With easyship, merchants get instant access to premium features like:
- Free Shipping Rate Calculator: Access high-volume discounts from major messengers. plus, get instant access to delivery times from premium shipping couriers
- shipping dashboard: manage orders and create shipments instantly on the shipping panel. plus, track all delivery times in one place
- optimized store checkout: show the cheapest, fastest shipping options and best value at your store checkout. in this way, customers can know the specific delivery time.
Get the peace of mind you need with certified mail while saving up to 89% off discounted usps rates with easyship.
ready to ship? sign up for a free easy shipping account and find out how to access the best usps shipping rates available today
If you found this article informative, you might enjoy the following:
- usps priority mail vs. priority mail express
- usps signature confirmation explained
- usps first class: everything you need to know