Shipping with USPS Priority Mail is a standard practice for many e-commerce sellers, thanks to the service’s affordable rates, quick shipping times, and broad availability.
That said, there are actually several distinct solutions under the umbrella of Priority Mail—each of which may be appropriate for your business. Use this article to familiarize yourself with the differences between different USPS Priority Mail services and USPS Priority Mail Express to ensure you’re offering your customers the solutions they want at competitive rates you can afford.
What is USPS Priority Mail?
USPS Priority Mail is the U.S. Postal Service’s standard expedited service. All Priority Mail shipments include USPS tracking and $50 of insurance (some restrictions apply), and are typically delivered within 1-3 business days.
Priority Mail Flat Rate
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate offers several specific packaging types and sizes—all of which ship at flat-rate pricing, regardless of their weight.
The current Flat Rate offerings include:
- Flat Rate Envelope (12 ½” x 9 ½” )
- Window Flat Rate Envelope (10” x 5” and 12 ½” x 9 ½”)
- Small Flat Rate Envelope (10″ x 6″)
- Padded Flat Rate Envelope (12 ½” x 9 1/2″)
- Legal Flat Rate Envelope (15″ x 9 1/2 “)
- Small Flat Rate Box (Outside: 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 ¾”; Inside: 8 ⅝” x 5 ⅜” x 1 ⅝”)
- Medium Flat Rate Box, Top Loading (Outside: 11 ¼” x 8 ¾” x 6″; Inside: 11″ x 8 ½” x 5 ½”)
- Medium Flat Rate Box, Side Loading (Outside: 14″ x 12″ x 3 ½”; Inside: 13 ⅝” x 11 ⅞” x 3 ⅜”)
- Large Flat Rate Box (Outside: 12 ¼” x 12 ¼” x 6″; Inside: 12″ x 12″ x 5 ½”)
- APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Box (Outside: 12 ¼” x 12 ¼” x 6″; Inside: 12″ x 12″ x 5 ½” )
Flat Rate packaging is available for free from USPS. As with all USPS Priority Mail services, restrictions do apply on the types of goods that can be shipped in Flat Rate packaging.
Priority Mail (Weight and Zone Based)
This Priority Mail service bases its pricing on both the weight of your package and the distance it’ll travel, based on USPS mailing zones. The distance between your origin and destination zones also affects how long it’ll take packages to be delivered, as demonstrated by the USPS Delivery Map for the postal code 10001 below:
The USPS Zone Calculator can be used to estimate shipping rates for Priority Mail packages.
Priority Mail Cubic Rate
Many e-commerce sellers aren’t familiar with the USPS Priority Mail Cubic Rate service, but it’s a great option for retailers that sell small, heavy items. That’s because Cubic Rate service is based on a package’s dimensions and the distance traveled—not its weight.
Cubic Rate mailing does have some restrictions. Shipments can’t weigh more than 20 lbs, they can only measure up to 0.5 cubic feet in total, and each side of the package must measure less than 18”. The service is also generally restricted to retailers mailing more than 50,000 packages per year, though you can take advantage of Shippo’s scale to access this service—even if you don’t meet the volume requirement yourself. Additional details on calculating a cubic rate are available at https://goshippo.com/blog/a-cheat-sheet-on-usps-cubic-pricing/
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail Express does offer flat-rate packaging, though Weight and Zone Based pricing is also available. Unlike Priority Mail, however, only three sizes are currently available for Priority Mail Express shipments:
- Flat Rate Envelope (12 ½” x 9 ½”)
- Legal Flat Rate Envelope (15” x 9 ½”)
- Padded Flat Rate Envelope (12 ½” x 9 ½”)
And, of course, there’s the issue of cost. As you might expect, faster delivery times result in higher expenses. Retail rates for Priority Mail Express services begin at $26.95, compared to $8.70 for standard Priority Mail shipments.
Which USPS Shipping Service Should You Choose?
The question of whether shipping with USPS Priority Mail is a better option than using Priority Mail Express ultimately comes down to speed: how important is it for your customers to receive their packages within a day or two?
If you want to get granular, you can either manually calculate the best shipping service based on your package’s weight and destination, or you can use technology to help you decide. If you need to ship something heavy and small, Flat Rate products may be a better value than Weight and Zone Based Services. Or, if you’re shipping within the same USPS Zone, Priority Mail may get your package there as quickly as Priority Mail Express (though it won’t be guaranteed).
Alternatively, you can put the decision in your customers’ hands. Solutions such as Shippo make it easy to offer buyers access to a wide variety of shipping solutions—all at better rates than what you’ll find shipping directly from the Post Office.
Sign up for free to learn more about Shippo’s discounted rates and services.
Sarah Gage
is a Michigan-based freelance writer covering business, marketing, and technology topics. She is also the owner of Content Conquered, a B2B-focused content marketing consultancy.
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FAQs
Express, the fastest delivery is guaranteed delivery in one or two days (usually one), is insured and costs the most. Priority, the second fastest delivery is not guaranteed, is insured but typically is 2–3 days.
What is the difference between priority mail vs Priority Mail Express? ›
Key Points: USPS Priority Mail is the standard domestic air service for USPS, and packages are delivered within 1-3 business days with tracking for domestic deliveries. USPS Priority Mail Express is the fastest domestic shipping service available from USPS and delivers your parcels within 1-2 business days.
Is there anything faster than Priority Mail Express? ›
If you need something to arrive even faster, it is possible to upgrade your Priority Mail Express shipment. For an additional fee, you can upgrade the shipment to an overnight delivery that will arrive the next day by 10:30 am.
Is Priority Mail Express good? ›
The express shipping options from USPS are reliable, economical alternatives to high-priced overnight and 2-day shipping services. They're often faster than ground shipping and very competitively priced. Plus, Priority Mail Express includes a money-back guarantee.
What are the different types of priority mail? ›
There are four USPS shipping options for USPS Priority Mail: weight and Zone-based pricing, Flat Rate, Regional Rate, and Express. Which one you use depends on the circ*mstances.
Is Priority Mail Express guaranteed? ›
Priority Mail Express® service provides next-day to 2–day delivery service by 6 PM with a money–back guarantee1. You get competitive prices and fast delivery every day, all year, with limited exceptions, to most U.S. addresses and PO Boxes™3.
Can I use a priority mail box for Priority Mail Express? ›
Priority Mail packaging provided by the USPS must be used only for Priority Mail. Regardless of how the packaging is reconfigured or how markings may be obliterated, any matter mailed in USPS-produced Priority Mail packaging is charged the appropriate Priority Mail price.
How long does USPS Priority Mail Express take to deliver? ›
Priority Mail Express is the fastest mail service offered by the Postal Service. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 p.m. for any mailable matter and includes $100 of insurance coverage. Priority Mail Express delivery is offered 365 days a year in many locations.
How much does it cost to send a package with Priority Mail Express? ›
Purchase Priority Mail Express postage and shipping labels at a Post Office™ location or online. Prices start at $30.45 at a Post Office. (Ship online with enhanced Click-N-Ship service and get lower Commercial Rates.)
What is the difference between priority and express post? ›
Priority™ is our fastest shipping service for time-sensitive items. Xpresspost™ is a fast and cost-effective shipping service. Xpresspost™ Certified is our document-shipping service that captures the recipient's signature on delivery of the item.
Priority Mail Express is the fastest and safest mail service available. with guaranteed overnight delivery and $100 insurance included.
What is the cutoff for Priority Mail Express? ›
Depending on the origin and destination, the service has a same-day cutoff time of 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, or 5:00 PM. Additionally, you can choose from Priority Mail Express, which offers next-day to 2–day delivery service by 6 PM, or Priority Mail Express Flat Rate, which provides a flat rate for items up to 70 lbs.
What is the most reliable way to send a package? ›
Reliability is where UPS shines. With their guaranteed delivery services and quick responses to customer service inquiries, UPS makes a great carrier to partner with for your ecommerce business. Another area that UPS specializes in is the shipment and delivery of high-value items.
What is the difference between Priority mail and Priority Mail Express? ›
Both services have the same weight and size limits for packages but differ in price and delivery times. If you need your package to get there quickly, Priority Mail Express® will ensure the fastest delivery time and you'll be able to choose Sunday or holiday delivery options.
What is the fastest USPS mail option? ›
USPS Overnight is the fastest mail service offered by the US Post Office. USPS Priority Mail Express ships your overnight packages in 1-2 business days with guaranteed delivery or your money back. USPS Priority Express includes free pickup, tracking, proof of delivery, and shipping insurance.
What are the rules for priority mail? ›
The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs. The maximum size for Priority Mail items is 108 inches in combined length and girth (the length of the longest side, plus the distance around its thickest part). The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is priced at $8.95, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled.
What is the fastest USPS mail delivery service? ›
Priority Mail Express is the fastest mail service offered by the Postal Service. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 p.m. for any mailable matter and includes $100 of insurance coverage.
Does express mail require a signature? ›
The letter carrier will sign for the domestic Priority Mail Express item as proof of delivery and leave the item in a secure location. Waiver of Signature is not available with additional insurance, for Priority Mail Express Collect on Delivery (COD), or for Priority Mail Express COD Restricted Delivery.
How long does it take for priority mail to deliver? ›
Priority Mail
Domestic deliveries arrive in 1-3 business days4 depending on where your package starts and where it's going. Tracking and insurance are included, shipping boxes and envelopes are free, and with Priority Mail Flat Rate®, you don't need to weigh shipments 70 lbs and under.
Is Priority Express Mail delivered with regular mail? ›
Yes. IF your regular mail normally comes after noon, then USPS express mail would be delivered BEFORE noon, in a separate delivery If your mail normally arrives well before noon, then the USPS Express Mail would come with your normal delivery.
