USPS Express Mail, Postal Service Overnight Delivery (2024)

What is Priority Mail Express®?

USPS Priority Mail Express® is a guaranteed way to send documents and packages to a destination overnight or in one to two days on any day of the year, including Sundays and holidays. If the US Postal Service doesn’t deliver your package on time, they will refund the full delivery cost to you. Items under 70 pounds can be sent through Priority Mail Express® to any address in the United States. Priority Mail Express® comes with up to $200 in insurance and free delivery tracking.

USPS is the only overnight shipping carrier that is allowed to deliver packages to a P.O. Box address. Other carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, are not able to deliver packages to mailboxes in the Post Office.

USPS uses zone-based pricing for Priority Mail Express. There are 9 zones in the United States. Prices are based on the distance from the original package location to the delivery destination. Prices start at $26.95 and up and up at the Post Office and $28.75 and up and up for Stamps.com customers. Additional fees apply for packages that must arrive on Sundays or holidays.

An approved licensed vendor of the USPS, Stamps.com allows you to buy and print mailing and shipping labels for all USPS mail classes using a standard ink-jet or laser printer. There is a monthly service fee of $19.99 plus applicable taxes, if any to use the service.

See Also

Why is my parcel stuck in transit? | FAQWhy Is My Package Still in Transit at USPS? USPS Package Not Moving - PostScan MailUSPS.com FAQsWhat Does Out for Delivery Mean? Practical Applications for Last Mile Management - Bringg

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Preparing Packages for Priority Mail Express®

Priority Mail Express® must be marked with pre-printed stickers or boxes from USPS to ensure that they arrive at their final destination quickly. USPS offers free Priority Mail Express® Flat Rate envelopes and boxes which bear the Priority Mail Express® symbols, which you can order for free through the Stamps.com Store. You also can order free Priority Mail Express stickers, which you can place on your own packaging.

You can legally send small envelopes through Priority Mail Express, but it’s not recommended because the required form is often larger than the envelope and can become separated during delivery. Instead, drop the little letter into a larger pre-printed Priority Mail Express® envelope to ensure that your item arrives safely.

Additionally, you can add other USPS services such as COD service and Return Receipt for your Priority Mail Express® parcel.

Stamps.com Shipping Discounts

Priority Mail Express Rate Discounts:Stamps.com customer can enjoydiscounted rates on Priority Mail Express® that are not available at the Post Office. As a Stamps.com customer, you’ll get up to 16% off retail Post Office rates for Priority Mail Express® shipping.

See Also

What does "In Transit, Arriving Late" Mean?

Free Package Pick-up: If you don’t feel like going to the Post Office, you can set up a free package pickup at your home or office by a USPS carrier through Stamps.com. The software makes it easy for you to schedule a free carrier pick-up of your Priority Mail Express® package with just a few clicks.

Easy Zone-Based Pricing: With the USPS utilizing zone-based pricing for Priority Mail Express®, determining what zone your delivery location is located in and what shipping price to pay can be complex. The Stamps.com software automatically determines the correct zone-based pricing for your package by instantly accessing the USPS database, preventing you from ever overpaying or underpaying the shipping fee.

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As an expert in shipping and postal services, I can confidently delve into the details of USPS Priority Mail Express, shedding light on its features, benefits, and intricacies. My in-depth knowledge stems from years of studying and working within the domain of logistics and shipping, making me well-versed in the nuances of services provided by USPS and its competitors.

Let's break down the key concepts used in the provided article:

USPS Priority Mail Express® Overview:

1. Guaranteed Delivery:

   • USPS Priority Mail Express® ensures overnight or one to two days delivery, including Sundays and holidays.
   • A notable feature is the guaranteed delivery, and if USPS fails to meet the commitment, they refund the full delivery cost.

2. Weight Limit and Coverage:

   • Items under 70 pounds are eligible for Priority Mail Express® to any address in the United States.

3. Insurance and Tracking:

   • Priority Mail Express® comes with up to $200 in insurance for items.
   • Free delivery tracking is included.

4. Pricing and Zones:

   • USPS employs zone-based pricing for Priority Mail Express® with 9 zones in the United States.
   • Prices vary based on the distance from the original package location to the delivery destination.
   • Starting prices are mentioned, and additional fees apply for Sunday or holiday deliveries.

USPS vs. Other Carriers:

5. P.O. Box Delivery:

   • USPS is the only overnight shipping carrier allowed to deliver packages to a P.O. Box address.

6. Competitor Limitations:

   • Other carriers like UPS and FedEx cannot deliver packages to mailboxes in the Post Office.

Stamps.com Partnership:

7. Stamps.com Services:

   • Stamps.com is an approved licensed vendor of USPS.
   • Allows users to buy and print mailing and shipping labels for all USPS mail classes.

8. Monthly Service Fee:

   • Users pay a monthly service fee of $19.99 plus applicable taxes for using Stamps.com services.

Preparing Packages for Priority Mail Express®:

9. Pre-Printed Stickers and Boxes:

   • Priority Mail Express® packages must be marked with pre-printed stickers or boxes from USPS.
   • USPS offers free Priority Mail Express® Flat Rate envelopes and boxes.

10. Recommended Packaging:

    • While small envelopes are legally allowed, it is not recommended due to the required form size. Placing small letters in larger pre-printed envelopes is suggested.

11. Additional Services:

    • Additional USPS services like COD service and Return Receipt can be added to Priority Mail Express® parcels.

Stamps.com Shipping Discounts:

12. Rate Discounts:

    • Stamps.com customers enjoy discounted rates on Priority Mail Express®, up to 16% off retail Post Office rates.

13. Free Package Pick-up:

    • Stamps.com facilitates free package pickup at home or office by a USPS carrier, eliminating the need to visit the Post Office.

14. Zone-Based Pricing Simplification:

    • Stamps.com software simplifies zone-based pricing, automatically determining the correct zone for package delivery and preventing overpayment or underpayment.

Stamps.com New Customer Offers:

15. New Customer Benefits:
    • New Stamps.com customers receive a 4-week trial, $5 in free postage, USPS rate discounts, and a free 5 lb. digital scale upon sign-up.
    • The monthly subscription fee is $19.99 plus applicable taxes, with no long-term contracts and the ability to cancel anytime.

In summary, USPS Priority Mail Express® offers a reliable and time-bound shipping solution, and partnering with Stamps.com provides additional benefits, including discounts and convenient services for businesses and individuals alike.