First-Class Mail® service is an affordable and easy way for your small business to send postcards, envelopes, flats and lightweight packages. 12/15/2020 Office When you stick a stamp on an envelope and place it in a mailbox, you are sending something First-Class. In other words, First-Class Mail is “regular” mail. USPS offers a wide range of services or “classes” businesses use to mail or ship to customers, including the ever-popular First-Class Mail®. Although First-Class Mail is often associated with simply mailing letters, its services go well beyond that. Businesses of all sizes count on First-Class Mail as an economical way to send postcards, letters, flats and light packages to customers both domestically and globally. What is First-Class Mail?First Class Mail is the most common and affordable way to send envelopes and lightweight packages. Anything you send to customers, including bills, invoices, correspondences and merchandise can be sent via First-Class, as long as your letters weigh less than 3.5 ounces. and your parcels weigh less than 13 ounces. Many start-ups and home business use First-Class Mail to send postcards and letters. Unlike less expensive bulk-mailing services like USPS Marketing Mail, there are no minimum number of pieces, mailing permits or presorting requirements to worry about. In fact, some types of mail must be sent through either First-Class Mail or Priority Mail, including:
What makes First-Class Mail a first-class service?If you visit the USPS® website you’ll find the following classes of mail listed as part of their services:
First-Class Mail is a higher priority class than Marketing Mail, Retail Ground or Media Mail. That means USPS prioritizes the delivery speed of First-Class Mail over those services. As its name and position on the list suggests, Priority Mail services take precedence over First-Class Mail in delivery speed.
What types of First-Class services are available?First-Class MailFirst-Class Mail service is an inexpensive and simple way to send postcards and envelopes. First-Class Mail Forever® stamps for letters and postcards never expire, even if the First-Class postage rate goes up.
First-Class Mail InternationalFirst-Class Mail International® service is the most affordable way to send letters and lightweight packages globally. It only takes one Global Forever® stamp to send a 1 ounce. letter or postcard to your choice to over 190 countries. Like Forever stamps, Global Forever stamps never expire, even if the postage rate goes up. First-Class Package ServiceFirst-Class Package Service® offers some of the best rates for your lightweight parcels and packages. Retail service is available for shipments up to 13 ounces. Commercial service is available for shipments less than 16 ounces.
What are the weight and size restrictions for First-Class Mail?In most cases, if your letters, flats and packages do not meet the standards listed below you will either be charged extra or may have to send them via a different mail class.
What is the delivery window for First-Class Mail?The estimated delivery time for First-Class mail is one to three days from the postmarked date. If you’re sending something locally, your delivery might only take one day. However, First-Class Mail delivery times are estimates only and not guaranteed by USPS. What are First-Class Mail rates?First-Class Mail rates vary depending on what you’re sending. (A postcard is obviously less expensive to send than a package). What makes First-Class such a great deal is that those prices remain the same regardless of destination. You can find the most current First-Class Mail rates on the USPS website. Businesses of all sizes take advantage of online shipping solutions like PitneyShip to get discounts on First-Class Stamp rates, and the savings that provides really add up. What are the requirements for a first class package?Minimum Size: 3½ inches by 5 inches. Maximum Size: 6⅛ inches by 11½ inches. Thickness: 0.007 inch to ¼ inch.. 22 inches in length or.. 18 inches in width or.. 15 inches in thickness.. Can I use my own box for USPS First Class package?USPS Doesn't Offer Boxes or Envelopes for First Class Package. Since USPS doesn't provide any free packaging for First Class Package, that means shippers need to provide their own packaging for their items.
What is a 1st class package?USPS First Class Package Service is a fast, cost-effective way to ship lightweight packages weighing up to 15.99 ounces to any U.S. destination. For lightweight packages, First Class Package Service offers greater cost savings compared to Priority Mail and Parcel Select Ground (formerly known as Parcel Post).
What is the difference between USPS and USPS First Class?What's the difference between USPS Priority Mail and USPS First Class? The main difference is in the size of the packages that can be delivered via each service. First class mail is limited to smaller packages that weigh less than 3.5 ounces, while Priority Mail can include packages that weigh up to 70 lbs.
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