USPS Kickoff Class vs Priority Postal service

by

June 14, 2021

First Class vs Priority Mail is a common decision ecommerce merchants make. But it's easy to get the hang of. Mostly speaking, anything nether 16 oz should use First Class Postal service and anything over xvi oz should ship with Priority Mail service. There are a few exceptions, of form. And we'll cover those exceptions later. Merely for domestic shipments—specially clothing and apparel.

What is USPS First Class Postal service?

First Form Mail may sound like information technology's the top-tier service, and to a sure extent, it is. Simply this is not in comparison to Priority Mail. Beginning Class Mail is a grade of mail used to ship letters, thick envelopes, padded envelopes, and lightweight packages. Kickoff Class Post is considered the height tier of mailed materials in comparison to:

  • 2nd Class Postal service: periodicals, magazines, newspapers that are printed more than than 4 times a year.
  • Tertiary Course Mail: Marketing mail, flyers, mailers, etc.
  • Fourth Class Mail: Media Postal service (CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, books, jump print media consisting of eight or more pages.)

Shipping T Shirts with USPS

Shirts, especially t-shirts are a good candidate to transport with Kickoff Class Mail. They're light-weight and durable. Endeavour using a poly mailers to cut down additional costs.

What is USPS Priority Postal service?

Priority Post is the USPS'due south grade of mail that is their top priority to ship out. It delivers parcels at a quicker speed than First Class Mail and allows for far heavier parcels (up to 70 lbs). Internationally, it is advantageous since it typically cuts aircraft time downward significantly. Because of this, information technology is a piddling bit more expensive than First Course Post.

Priority Mail service is also closer to UPS and FedEx services. However, it is often more economical than both UPS or FedEx for packages weighing nether nearly 10 lbs. This is generally because a USPS vehicle passes by addresses each day. Smaller parcels that can fit in a mailbox typically are economical. If the parcel's size/weight requires the commitment driver to leave their vehicle and/or are too big to fit in their messenger bag, then the cost can brainstorm to rise quickly.

Shipping Shoes with USPS

Shoes are almost ever going to transport using Priority Mail (Unless they counterbalance less than xvi oz). Check to see if Apartment Rate options offer discounts over standard Priority Mail packaging.

Max Dimensions and Weight for USPS

USPS First Class Mail service is typically used for smaller, lighter parcels—weighing nether a pound—with items whose insured value is not very high. Items over a pound and/or items of higher value work better with Priority Mail.

Restriction Blazon First Grade Post Max Restrictions Priority Mail Max Restrictions
USPS Beginning Class Mail USPS Priority Post
Max Dimensions 108" in combined length and girth.* 108" in combined length and girth*
Max Weight 15.99 oz° seventy lbs*

*Exceeding these maximum restrictions may result in a $100 charge applied to yous past the USPS.
°4.4 lbs for First Class International

Default Insurance Coverage for USPS

Coverage Type First Form Mail Coverage Priority Post Coverage
Domestic Coverage North/A $100*
International Coverage N/A $200*
*Includes Priority Mail Express services

A major advantage of USPS Priority Mail is that it includes coverage in the event that a parcel becomes lost or damaged in transit. Outset Class Mail offers no default coverage, however, both Priority Mail and First Class Mail practise let boosted coverage to exist purchased through the USPS or through a tertiary-party provider such as Shipsurance.


Shipping Watches and Other Jewelry

While a spotter almost always weighs under 1 lb and tin can be shipped with Beginning Class Mail, Priority Postal service offers upward to $100 of coverage in the event that the parcel is lost or damaged.

USPS First Grade vs Priority Post Price Comparison

Outset Form Post is a more economical shipping choice than Priority Mail. If you would like a breakdown of the shipping rates available to you, check out these rates bachelor to whatever ShipStation user through their complimentary Stamps.com business relationship.

USPS Transit Time

Now that First Class Mail uses USPS zones when rating, it's easier to compare transit times. Let's take a look at the estimated delivery time it takes for unlike locations effectually the U.s. and globally:

USPS Beginning Grade vs Priority Mail Domestic Transit Time

USPS Service Zone 1 Zone three Zone five Zone 8
Media Postal service 2 days 3 days 6 days half dozen-13 days
Showtime Course Mail two days 3 days 3 days 3-5 days
Priority Post 1-2 day 2 days 2 days 3 days
Priority Postal service Limited i-ii days i-2 days one-2 days one-ii days

USPS First Form vs Priority Mail International Transit Time

Service Judge Transit Time
First Class Mail service International No guaranteed time frame
Priority Mail International vi-10 days*
Priority Express International 3-v days*
*For many major markets. Actual transit fourth dimension tin can vary based on origin, destination, and customs delays.

What is USPS Media Mail?

Media Mail service is the USPS's more affordable, slower option for shipping CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, books, bound print media consisting of eight or more pages. Different other USPS services, the USPS can inspect the parcel to brand certain the contents are approved materials without first authorizing a search warrant.

Shipping Vinyl Records with Media Mail

Vinyl records most ordinarily ship with Media Mail. Every bit do books, CDs, DVDs, and other physical media. If expedited delivery is of import, consider upgrading to First Class Postal service or Priority Mail (depending on the weight or insured value).

New call-to-action