USPS Shipping

Let's take a look at the options for USPS shipping. Keep in mind that items shipped outside of the continuous forty-eight states will always require extra shipping costs and longer delivery times.

First Class Mail

This is the old stand by for most personal mailing needs including letters, cards, bills and other correspondence. Small packages weighing thirteen ounces or less may also be shipped First Class Mail when the proper amount of postage is purchased. Most packages will reach their destination within three days when this method of USPS shipping is used.

Media Mail

If you need to ship things like books, CD's, DVD's, videos or video games, manuscripts, etc., this USPS shipping method is less expensive than shipping by Parcel Post but may take up to nine days for your package to reach its destination.

Parcel Post

This USPS shipping option offers a fairly inexpensive way to ship items weighing less than seventy pounds across the country. Your cost for shipping for parcel post will be based on package weight and the distance of the destination, and delivery will take anywhere from two to nine days.

Priority Mail

This USPS shipping method seems to be the favorite of eBay sellers across the country. For $.45 extra, any package weighing less than seventy pounds can be shipped via priority mail to its destination within three days, and shippers will receive a tracking number to help them trace their package's progress through the system right up to it's delivery. Priority mail offers peace of mind for buyers and sellers, hence its popularity. The actual charges will still be based on package weight and destination.

Express Mail

When your package needs to get to its destination in a hurry, express mail is your best USPS shipping option. Any package weighing less than seventy pounds can be shipped by express mail within one to two days, and your tracking number and up to $100.00 worth of insurance are included in the shipping costs. You also have the option to purchase up to $5,000.00 in additional insurance if needed. Express mail keeps moving everyday of the year, including weekends and holidays.

Bound Printed Matter

If you need to ship catalogs, phone books, directories, and other types of permanently bound materials, this is a good shipping option that costs less than parcel post. Delivery takes up to nine days.

Flat Rate Shipping

Flat rate shipping lets you send your items in one package for one low rate, regardless of the weight. This may be a good shipping option for businesses that do a lot of bulk mailing. Flat rate envelopes require flat rate stamps, and priority flat rate boxes run about $8.10 each, no matter how much the material weighs. The premise of this type of USPS shipping is that, near or far, your shipping costs average out, and you never have to fuss with calculating for your packages.

USPS Rates

You can calculate your shipping costs in advance when you use an online postage rate calculator. You will need to know the weight of your package, its approximate size, your zip code, and the zip code of the recipient. You can also calculate the discounted rate for volume mailing.

USPS Convenience

Don't have time to stand in line at the post office while juggling heavy packages? For your convenience, the USPS offers home or office pick up of your packages when you purchase your postage online. The USPS Click-N-Ship option is avail to eBay and PayPal users, making shipping very convenient. Click-N-Ship let's you print out postage and mailing labels right from your office or home computer at any time of the day or night.

Shipping Supplies

Why pay for shipping boxes and envelopes? When you ship with the USPS via priority or express mail, you can get boxes and shipping envelopes for free from the Online Postal Store. Just browse through and order what you need. You won't even be charged to have your order shipped directly to your home or business.

External Links

• The United States Postal Service