USPS Classes of Domestic and International Mail
While mailing envelopes or packages through USPS, you should choose the right class of mail. Low delivery price isn’t the only thing that should be taken into account. Affordable classes of mail have size, weight and contents restrictions so it is very important to choose the class of mail suitable for your dispatch.
Domestic Mail
The term “domestic mail” refers to dispatches mailed to the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or U.S. territories.
Priority Mail Express (Formerly Express Mail)
Priority Mail Express is the fastest class of mail offered by USPS. It provides 1-day or 2-day delivery, overnight scheduled delivery guaranteed to most locations. Priority Mail Express delivery is available 365 days a year in most locations but early delivery (by 10:30am) and guaranteed Sunday or holiday delivery is purchased at an additional charge.
Priority Mail Express is offered for any mailable matter. It is most often used for sales orders, contracts and other important and time-sensitive business documents. Delivery prices vary by weight and distance (destination zone) except for Flat Rate packaging. The price includes tracking, up to $100 of insurance coverage with most shipments and proof of delivery signature record.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches (~275 cm).
Priority Mail
Priority Mail is shipped within 1 to 3 business days. Delivery prices are based on weight, size and distance (zone). The price includes tracking and up to $50 of insurance coverage with most shipments.
All matter that is mailable by air transportation can be mailed as Priority Mail. There are items that must be mailed as Priority Mail or First-Class Mail such as:
- Typewritten or handwritten material.
- Credit cards, statements of accounts or invoices, bills.
- Personal correspondence and personalized business correspondence.
- All matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches (~275 cm).
First-Class Mail
First-Class Mail is designed for letters, cards, flat envelopes and lightweight packages. Prices are based on size, shape, and weight and do not depend on distance. Estimated delivery time is 1 to 3 business days.
- Typewritten or handwritten material.
- Credit cards, statements of accounts or invoices, bills.
- Personal correspondence and personalized business correspondence.
- All matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.
Maximum weight: 13 ounces (~370 g); all packages over 13 ounces automatically become Priority Mail.
Letter maximum weight: 3.5 ounces (~100 g).
Maximum size: depends on dispatch type (card, letter, flat, parcel), maximum length and girth combined for a parcel — 108 inches (~275 cm).
USPS Retail Ground (Formerly Parcel Post)
USPS Retail Ground is a class of mail primarily designed for packages which are too large or heavy for other classes and do not require fast delivery. It uses surface transport. USPS Retail Ground is a slow but cheap delivery service, it is commonly used to mail gifts and merchandise. It is also used to mail items not mailable by air transportation such as live animals or hazardous materials.
Delivery takes 2 to 8 business days. However, it might take more time to deliver to distant states (Alaska, Hawaii) or territories of the United States (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands) due to the limited availability of transportation.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 130 inches (~330 cm).
Media Mail (Formerly Book Rate)
Media Mail is a cheap way to mail educational materials, including books, manuscripts, printed test materials, printed music, printed educational charts, play scripts, sound recordings, computer-readable media, and loose-leaf pages and binders with medical information. Items that do not qualify as media mail include homemade CDs or DVDs, video games, blank media discs, business materials, and advertisement of any kind.
Delivery takes 2 to 8 business days depending on distance. Prices depend on weight. Media Mail is cheaper than USPS Retail Ground due to increased restrictions on package contents.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches (~275 cm).
Library Mail
Library Mail is similar to Media Mail but this class of mail is specifically designed for libraries, universities, museums, zoos, research institutions, and other organizations of the kind. It is used to mail research and educational material.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches (~275 cm).
International Mail
The United States Postal Service ships to about 180 countries – members of the Universal Postal Union (UPO).
Global Express Guaranteed
The fastest international shipping service: delivery takes 1 to 3 business days (including overnight shipping to many destinations in Canada). International transportation and delivery are provided by FedEx Express. Delivery prices are based on size, weight and destination, except for Flat Rate packaging. They begin at about $60 and include tracking and up to $100 of insurance coverage.
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches (~275 cm).
Maximum length: 45 inches (~114 cm).
Maximum height: 46 inches (~117 cm).
Maximum width: 35 inches (~90 cm).
Please note that some countries have their own weight and size restrictions.
Priority Mail Express International
Delivery takes 3 to 5 business days. Prices are based on weight and destination, except for Flat Rate packaging. They begin at about 41$ and include tracking and up to $100 or $200 of insurance coverage (for non-negotiable document reconstruction, merchandise loss, damage, or missing contents).
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum weight for Flat Rate Envelopes: 4 lbs (~1.8 kg).
Please note that some countries have their own weight and size restrictions.
Priority Mail International
It’s a longer but at the same time reliable and affordable delivery service. Delivery takes 6 to 10 business days, prices begin at around $24. Delivery prices are based on weight and destination, except for Flat Rate Envelopes or Boxes.
Like Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International price includes tracking and up to $100 or $200 of insurance coverage (for non-negotiable document reconstruction, merchandise loss, damage, or missing contents).
Maximum weight: 70 lbs (~32 kg).
Maximum weight for Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: 4 lbs (~1.8 kg).
Maximum weight for medium and large Flat Rate Boxes: 20 lbs (~9 kg).
Please note that some countries have their own weight and size restrictions.
First-Class Mail International
The most affordable international delivery service for letters, postcards and flats. Delivery time depends on destination, prices begin at $1.15 and are based on weight and destination. Eligible for flats up to $400 in value.
Maximum weight: 4 lbs (~1.8 kg).
Maximum size (for Large Envelopes): height 12 inches (~30 cm), length 15 inches (~38 cm), thickness ¾ inch (~1.9 cm); large envelopes exceeding size requirements are automatically classified as small packages and charged accordingly.
First-Class Package International Service
Similar to First-Class Mail International but intended for small packages up to 4 lbs and up to $400 in value. Delivery prices begin at $9.50.
Maximum weight: 64 ounces (~1.8 kg).
Maximum length + width + height: 36 inches (~91 cm) or 42 inches (~107 cm) for rolls/tubes.