Free! Priority Mail Rate Guide: A Cheat Sheet to Low Shipping Costs
As your most cost-effective mail carrier, the USPS® offers special pricing for Priority Mail shipping including regular Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate and the new Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes. Determining which type of Priority Mail box to use can be complicated because the price varies greatly depending on the weight and destination of the package as well as type of box.
Are you getting confused? If so, you’re not alone. Many shippers are finding it difficult to compare Priority Mail rates and to find factual information that helps to simplify matters, until now.
FREE! Download the Priority Mail Rate Guide
Introducing the Stamps.com Priority Mail Rate Guide
To simplify everything for shippers, Stamps.com created a downloadable Priority Mail Rate Guide. It provides pricing for each Priority Mail box type, and within an easy-to-use table are Priority Mail boxes listed in order from lowest price to highest price. There are many benefits to using the guide, including:
- Find the cheapest Priority Mail rate — The greatest benefit of the guide is that it can be used to identify the most cost-effective option for Priority Mail. The guide does all the work for you! Sending a 4 lb. package of clothes from Los Angeles to Florida? By using the guide, you can identify the cheapest option and save up to $5.25, as shown in the following table:
|
4 lb. Package of Clothing – From California to Florida | |
| Priority Mail Type: | Cost: |
| Priority Mail Regional Rate – Box A | $9.37 |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate – Medium Box | $10.50 |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate – Large Box | $14.20 |
| Priority Mail Regional Rate – Box B | $14.62 |
| Priority Mail (regular) | $14.62 |
- Avoid the myths about Priority Mail — The guide helps to identify facts about Priority Mail. For example, many shippers think Priority Mail Flat Rate is always the cheapest option based on TV commercials featuring the tagline “If it fits, it ships.” Using the chart will show that regular Priority Mail or Regional Rates are often much cheaper options.
PRIORITY MAIL TIP: For a 1 lb. package, regular Priority Mail beats out all other options except the Priority Mail Small Flat Rate box, which is very limited in size.
- Find low-cost Priority Mail Regional Rates for nationwide shipping — Many shippers also think that Regional Rate boxes are only for local shipments in the same region because “Regional” appears in the name. Using the guide will show that Regional Rate boxes are cost-effective for nationwide shipments too.
PRIORITY MAIL TIP: Excluding the Small Flat Rate Box, Regional Rate Box A is the lowest cost option for ALL zones for packages weighing between 2 lbs. and 15 lbs.
- Find the best Priority Mail Flat Rate for heavy packages — If you are shipping heavy packages, there is no cheaper option than Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. Using the guide demonstrates this as well.
PRIORITY MAIL TIP: Shipping packages that weigh 20 lbs. or more? Use Priority Mail Flat Rate. You pay the same low flat rate cost whether it weighs 1 lb. or 70 lbs. and cost efficiencies start at 20 lbs.
Download the Priority Mail Rate Guide for personal use and easy referencing now. Stamps.com believes that shipping should be simple, so be sure to take advantage of Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Stamps.com help me track my postage spending?
Yes. Our reports show you you activity and total spend by carrier, mail class, shipping service -- so you always know how much you send. You can customize your reports by date and, if you are on our multi-location plan, you can also view activity and spend per location and user.
Does postage from Stamps.com cost more than postage from the Post Office or UPS?
No. Our negotiated carrier discounts ensure you pay less for First Class Mail® stamps and get up 88% off shipping services from USPS, UPS, and other top carriers. These are discounts you will not find at the Post Office as they are reserved for high volume enterprises. Check stamps.com/carriers for latest on carriers and rates.
How do I calculate domestic postage costs?
Our rate advisor feature helps you calculate exact postage or shipping rate for anything you send. All you need is your item's weight and dimensions -- we do all the math for you and recommend cheapest, fastest, and best rates across all carriers.
How fast is Priority Mail Express International?
Delivery is made by the country's postal service in 3 - 5 business days, depending on the destination.
How fast is Priority Mail International?
Generally, it takes Priority Mail International six to ten business days. USPS hands off shipments at the border of the destination country before the local postal service completes the delivery.
How much does USPS First Class Package International® cost?
While price varies depending on weight and destination, rates for this service begin at $17 dollars.
USPS Priority Mail vs. First-Class Mail: What is the speed comparison?
USPS Priority Mail generally delivers in 2-3 business days. First-Class Mail, while more economical, typically takes 1-5 business days for delivery.
What are NetStamps
NetStamps are USPS-approved blank labels on which you can print your own stamps. Simply buy postage on Stamps.com, use any printer to print on a NetStamps sheet or roll, and stick the NetStamp to an envelope, postcard, or other First Class Mail.
What are nonmachinable envelopes?
Nonmachinable envelopes might be non-rectangular, rigid, unevenly thick, or have non-paper closures, meaning they cannot be processed efficiently by USPS's automated sorting equipment, and require special handling, resulting in a surcharge in addition to the standard postage.
What are the different types of Flat Rate Envelopes?
Regular, Legal, and Padded
What are the USPS Ground Advantage costs and rates?
Packages up to 15.999 ounces are priced in 4-ounce increments, while heavier packages are charged by the pound, rounded up. The further the distance, the higher the cost. Additional fees apply to oversized packages. Easily calculate discounted rates anytime at Stamps.com.
What are the USPS Priority Mail delivery times?
USPS Priority Mail typically takes one to three business days, depending on destination, to deliver. You can easily check for a delivery time estimate on USPS’s Priority Mail Delivery Map.
What items can be shipped through Media Mail?
Educational materials like books, music, or videos that never include any products or advertising.
What shipping rate discounts can I get with Stamps.com?
With USPS, Stamps.com customers have access to Commercial Base, Commercial Plus, Cubic Pricing, and Negotiated Service Agreements. Savings include:
- Up to 16% on all Priority Mail Express® shipments
- Up to 30% on Priority Mail® shipments
- Up to 7% on international shipments
- Up to 40% on package insurance
With UPS, Stamps.com customers get up to 73% off UPS 2nd Day Air® and up to 77% off UPS® Ground Daily Rates.* Plus, many common surcharges are waived, including the residential surcharge for UPS Ground shipments.
*UPS rates are limited to shipping from the continental U.S. only. These rates and discounts exclude shipment origins from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. These rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.
What USPS service should I use if I want to send large envelopes under 15.994 oz, letters up to 3.5 oz, and postcards?
First-Class Mail International®
When using Priority Mail International, should I ship Flat Rate or by weight?
Flat Rate Envelopes are ideal for documents or small, dense items weighing 4 lbs or less, as they offer a single price based on the destination country. For items between 4 lbs and 70 lbs, or those that don't fit into the Flat Rate Envelopes, you'll need to ship by weight using your own packaging. It’s more affordable to use Flat Rate boxes if your item is under 20 lbs.
