Mail & Packages (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest mailing service for packages? ›

USPS Priority Mail is generally the cheapest shipping service for 2-3 day shipping. FedEx, UPS, and other courier companies offer delivery services with similar lead time expectations, but USPS offers the lowest rates.

USPS is the premier carrier for small packages and offers the best rates for handheld shipments under 20 pounds. Letter carriers are able to drop off these packages on their regular mail routes, which is why USPS is able to keep rates low for smaller packages compared to the other carriers.

For shipments traveling shorter distances, Zones 1-4, and weighing less than 20 lbs, using your own packaging for weight-based rates may be a better value. Across all zones, though, shipments weighing over 16 lbs will ship for less in a Flat Rate Medium Box.

People often ask, is UPS cheaper than USPS? Well, that depends on the size of the package you're sending and where you're sending it to. Generally, UPS works out cheaper for shipping large items, while USPS is cheaper for sending small items.

In general, the heavier the mailpiece, the more it costs to mail. For Priority Mail Express, the weight and distance the piece travels determines the price, except for items mailed in USPS-provided Priority Mail Express Flat Rate packaging.

Rates are based on the total actual weight or the total dimensional weight of all packages in a shipment, whichever is greater. Dimensional Weight is determined by using the International Air Transport Association (IATA) volumetric standard, which is subject to change without prior notice.

The main difference between USPS Priority Mail and USPS Flat Rate is the way the shipping cost is calculated. USPS Priority mail uses the dimensional weight and shipping distance to calculate the shipping cost. On the other hand, USPS Flat Rate uses only the package size to calculate the shipping cost.

Shipping a padded envelope is almost always cheaper than shipping a box, but it may not be the best option for your package depending on what you're shipping. Fragile or valuable items or shipments of multiple items are always best packed in boxes.

UPS Ground is generally favored when shipping heavy items over long distances, where its network and logistics yield a consistent service. USPS, while having a strong presence for last-mile delivery due to its government-operated structure, is seen as less predictable, which may affect its perceived speed.

Does the USPS have free boxes? ›

Most USPS boxes are free, including Regional Rate boxes and Flat Rate boxes. This is also true of all packaging for all USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services. To clarify, Flat Rate and Regional Rate fall under the umbrella of Priority Mail services, so that's why they come with free USPS boxes.

If you're using your own packaging, dimensional (DIM) weight may apply, so always enter your package's dimensions in the USPS Price Calculator to ensure you're paying enough for postage. Use the correct package label. Make sure the label you're using matches the packaging.

On the other hand, FedEx specializes in worldwide express deliveries via air freight, which is why it has more aircraft than UPS. Based on these facts, we can see why FedEx generally offers cheaper rates on worldwide shipping, and UPS generally offers better rates on domestic shipping.

For targeted advertising mail, USPS Marketing Mail is the cheapest and most commonly used category of bulk mail. It's used for most advertising mail, newsletters, political mail, etc. In the past, Marketing Mail has also been called Standard Class, Standard A, or Third Class.