Priority Mail | USPS (2024)

Priority Mail | USPS (1)

1-3 Business Days1 & Flat Rate Pricing2

Priority Mail® service includes tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days1. Check delivery time estimates on the Priority Mail Delivery Map. Priority Mail Flat Rate® products let you ship packages up to 70 lbs to any state at the same price. Ship from Post Office locations or online from your home or business. Prices start at $9.25 at a Post Office. (Ship online with enhanced Click-N-Ship® service and get lower Commercial Rates. Businesses can get additional savings by opting in to the Business Rate Card .)

Ship Now with Priority MailPriority Mail Express® Next Day

Priority Mail | USPS (2)

Features & Pricing

  • Fast delivery time: 1-3 Business Days1
  • Free Package Pickup3 service at your home or office
  • Includes USPS Tracking®4 and up to $100 of insurance5 with most shipments6 (restrictions apply)
  • No surcharges for fuel; residential or rural delivery; or Saturday7 delivery
  • Flat Rate and prepaid pricing (retail only) available
  • Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate. Except for Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging, Priority Mail prices are based on weight and zone. With Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate, you get the same Flat Rate pricing with the added convenience of Forever® postage.
  • USPS Label Delivery service: Even if you don't have a printer, you can still ship online using enhanced Click-N-Ship—for an extra $1.25 per label, we'll print an outbound label and deliver it to you. (Businesses can also request return labels for their customers.)

View Price FilesCalculate a Price

Weight, Size, & Shape Requirements

Use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging and pay one price:

  • Pay the same price for mailpieces weighing up to 70 lbs going anywhere in the U.S.
  • Use our Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes or Boxes that come in standard sizes so you don't have to worry about measuring them.
  • When sealing a Flat Rate Envelope or Box, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds.

Use your own box and pay by weight and zone (distance):

  • Pay for your package based on how much it weighs and how far it’s going (the zone). Maximum weight is 70 lbs.
  • You’ll need to measure your package to make sure it meets the size standards.
  • Maximum combined length and girth (girth is the distance around the thickest part) is 108 inches. Tips for Measuring Packages
  • Additional Fees:
    • Dimensional (DIM) weight rates apply to large, lightweight packages. If your package is larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches):
      1. Multiply Length x Width x Height and divide by 166 to get the DIM weight in pounds.
      2. If the DIM weight is greater than the actual package weight, you’ll need to pay the DIM weight price.
    • If you give inaccurate dimensions and/or don’t pay the DIM weight rate (when it applies), you’ll pay a dimension-noncompliance fee.
    • Nonstandard Fee: You’ll pay an extra fee for sending a nonstandard size if your package measures:
      • Between 22 and 30 inches long: add $4.00
      • More than 30 inches long: add $18.00
      • More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches): add $30.00

TIP: Use the USPS® Price Calculator tool to c/alculate your domestic postage costs. You'll need to know your package’s weight, shape, and size measurements.

Calculate a PriceMore Priority Mail Service DetailsHow to Send a Package: Domestic

Additional Information

Expand All

Mailing Restrictions & Prohibitions

There are specific regulations and standards for mailing restricted, prohibited, and hazardous materials, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

Domestically Restricted & Prohibited Items

Learn more about what items you may and may not mail within the U.S.

Shipping to a Military Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO)

You'll pay domestic prices for packages shipped to a Military Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO), but these destinations require a customs form and have specific restrictions.

Military & Diplomatic Mail

Learn more about how to send mail and packages to loved ones overseas.

Sending APO/FPO/DPO Mail

For Businesses

USPS understands what's most important to our business customers: speed, affordability, security, and customer service. We help businesses provide these services and resources to your customers at discounted rates.

Note for Business Mailers: As of January 21, 2024, mailers using Priority Mail and Priority Mail Return® services must comply with new rules on the accuracy of the Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb®) on their postage labels. There’s currently a grace period, but starting June 1, 2024, if you fail to meet the barcode quality threshold, you will need to pay a $0.25 per-label noncompliance fee. To learn more, see the PostalPro™ Industry Alert.

Commercial Pricing

Get discounted rates on business shipping with a couple of options:

  • Use enhanced Click-N-Ship® service to get lower Commercial Rates.
  • A Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) is available for larger volume shippers who meet the minimum volume requirements.

Returns for Businesses

You can use Priority Mail Return service as a fast, convenient option for customers who need to send items back. Both outbound and returns include $100 insurance.

USPS Label Delivery

Save on label printing costs; we can print and deliver the label to you for a $1.25 fee (per label). You can also request return labels for your customers. Available through enhanced Click-N-Ship service and USPS Web Tools® APIs.

Priority Mail Open & Distribute

Expedite the transportation of your bulk mailings with Priority Mail Open & Distribute® (PMOD). Customers using PMOD services ship their items in an approved USPS container to an authorized location where USPS opens the container before delivering the contents to their final destinations.

  • Prices are commercial rates based on weight and zone to quickly move your mailings at a reasonable cost.
  • Mailings include a special barcoded label, so you can easily track your shipments.

Helpful Links

  • Shipping for Business
  • Business Price Calculator
  • View Commercial Price List

Priority Mail Flat Rate Products

Bonus: If you ship online with enhanced Click-N-Ship service, you’ll save with lower Commercial Rates. Businesses can get additional savings by opting in to the Business Rate Card.Expand All

Free Supplies8 Shipping Price Dimensions Great For…
Flat Rate Envelope

$8.50 Commercial Pricing

$9.85 at Post Office

12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″

Passports & Passport Applications

Documents

Manuscripts

Window Flat Rate Envelope

$8.50 Commercial Pricing

$9.85 at Post Office

10″ x 5″

12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″

Pre-addressed Envelopes

Small Flat Rate Envelope

$8.50 Commercial Pricing

$9.85 at Post Office

10″ x 6″

Small Documents

Oversized Greeting Cards

Gift Cards

Padded Flat Rate Envelope

$9.30 Commercial Pricing

$10.60 at Post Office

12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″

Clothing

Books

Boxed Jewelry

Legal Flat Rate Envelope

$8.80 Commercial Pricing

$10.15 at Post Office

15″ x 9 1/2″

Legal Documents

Small Flat Rate Box

$9.05 Commercial Pricing

$10.40 at Post Office

Outside: 8 11/16″ x 5 7/16″ x 1 3/4″

Inside: 8 5/8″ x 5 3/8″ x 1 5/8″

Brochures

Small Electronics

Medium Flat Rate Box — 1 (top-loading)

$16.00 Commercial Pricing

$18.40 at Post Office

Outside: 11 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ x 6″

Inside: 11″ x 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

Office Supplies

Shoes

Medium Flat Rate Box — 2 (side-loading)

$16.00 Commercial Pricing

$18.40 at Post Office

Outside: 14″ x 12″ x 3 1/2″

Inside: 13 5/8″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 3/8″

Office Supplies

Shoes

Large Flat Rate Box

$21.85 Commercial Pricing

$24.75 at Post Office

Outside: 12 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 6″

Inside: 12″ x 12″ x 5 1/2″

Laptop

Computers

Gifts

etc.

APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Box

$20.15 Commercial Pricing

$23.00 at Post Office

Outside: 12 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 6″

Inside: 12″ x 12″ x 5 1/2″

Sending Gifts to Troops

Large Flat Rate Board Game Box

$21.85 Commercial Pricing

$24.75 at Post Office

Outside: 24 1/16″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 1/8″

Inside: 23 11/16″ x 11 3/4″ x 3″

Board Games

Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate® Packaging

From $9.85 at Post Office

Various Sizes Available

Various Options

1. In most cases, the expected delivery date printed on your receipt or provided at checkout will reflect a delivery time of 1, 2, or 3 business days and is based on origin, destination, and drop-off time. The expected delivery date does not come with a money-back guarantee. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 1
2. For mailable items up to 70 lbs. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 2
3. For details on free Package Pickup, visit Schedule a Pickup. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 3
4. Excludes Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate products. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 4
5. Available only for certain products and to certain destinations. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Insurance does not cover certain items. For details, visit 609.4.3 (Non-payable Claims), 609 (Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage), and 503.4 (Insured Mail) of the Domestic Mail Manual. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 5
6. To qualify for included insurance, Priority Mail domestic shipments must have the applicable USPS Tracking barcode. Insurance is not included for Priority Mail shipments sent using Priority Mail Open & Distribute, Premium Forwarding Service-Residential or Premium Forwarding Service-Commercial. For shipments valued at more than $100, additional insurance may be available for purchase. When additional insurance is purchased, it replaces the included insurance. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 6
7. If Saturday is a national holiday, Priority Mail Express service may be available for an added fee. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 7
8. Boxes and envelopes are delivered with your regular mail usually within 7 to 10 business days. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 8

'); });$(".vdrawers .expandv").on('touch click',function(e){e.preventDefault();if ($(this).parents('.vdrawers').hasClass('active')){$(this).text('Expand All');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').removeClass('active');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab div').removeClass('active');} else {$(this).text('Hide All');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').find('.v-tab div').addClass('active');$(this).parents('.vdrawers').addClass('active');}});$('.v-tab div a').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on v-tab');e.preventDefault();if($(window).width()>=767){$('.v-tab div.active').removeClass('active');$('.v-tab-content div.active').removeClass('active');$('.v-tab .mobile-content').remove('.mobile-content');$(this).parent().addClass('active');$('.v-tab-content div').eq($('.v-tab div.active').index()).addClass('active');console.log('Window Width >=797');$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('.v-tab-content div').eq($('.v-tab div.active').index()).offset().top}, 500);} else if ($(window).width()<767) {if ($(this).parent().hasClass('active')){$(this).parent().removeClass('active');//$('.v-tab-content div.active').removeClass('active');//$('.v-tab .mobile-content').remove('.mobile-content');$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $(this).parent().offset().top}, 500);} else {$('.v-tab div.active').removeClass('active');//$('.v-tab-content div.active').removeClass('active');$(this).parent().addClass('active');//$('.v-tab-content div').eq($('.v-tab div.active').index()).addClass('active');//$('.v-tab .mobile-content').remove('.mobile-content');//activeContent = '

'+$('.v-tab-content .active').html()+'

';//$('.v-tab .active').append(activeContent);*/$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $(this).parent().offset().top}, 500);}}});$('.faq-unit h4,.expand-unit h4,.expand-unit h3').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on faq');e.preventDefault();$(this).parent().toggleClass('active');});$('.lg-crd h3').not('sup').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Clicked on faq');e.preventDefault();$(this).parent().parent().toggleClass('active');});});$('span.expand').on('click touch', function(e){$this = $(this);$this.toggleClass('active');if ($this.hasClass('active')){$this.text('Hide All');$this.parents('.faq-section, .lg-txt-crd,.visible-expand').find('.lg-crd, .faq-unit,.expand-unit').addClass('active');}else{$this.text('Expand All');$this.parents('.faq-section, .lg-txt-crd,.visible-expand').find('.lg-crd, .faq-unit,.expand-unit').removeClass('active');}});card_height = 0;i = 0;while (card_height == 0 && i >=5) {$( ".sm-card" ).each(function( index ) {if ($(this).height()>card_height){card_height=$(this).height();}});i++;$( ".sm-card" ).css('height', card_height); }var cards = $(".sm-crd-img .sm-card.rand");for(var i = 0; i < cards.length; i++){ var target = Math.floor(Math.random() * cards.length -1) + 1; var target2 = Math.floor(Math.random() * cards.length -1) +1; cards.eq(target).before(cards.eq(target2));}$('').append('...less');$('.expand-less, .expand-more').on('click touch', function(e){e.preventDefault();$(this).parents('.expand-unit').toggleClass('active');});$('.expand-all').on('click touch', function(e){console.log('Expand all function')$this = $(this);$this.toggleClass('active');if ($this.hasClass('active')){$this.text('Hide All');$this.parents('.visible-expand').find('.expand-unit').addClass('active');}else{$this.text('Expand All');$this.parents('.visible-expand').find('.expand-unit').removeClass('active');}});$.each( $('.expand-unit h4+p'), function(i){g = $(this).parent('.expand-unit').find('h4:first').text();console.log(g) $(this).append(' Show More '+g+''); });$('.expand-unit .drawer:last-child').append('

Show Less

');$('.expand-less, .expand-more').on('click touch', function(e){e.preventDefault();$(this).parents('.expand-unit').toggleClass('active');});

Priority Mail | USPS (2024)

FAQs

How long is priority mail supposed to take? ›

Priority Mail® service includes tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days1. Check delivery time estimates on the Priority Mail Delivery Map. Priority Mail Flat Rate® products let you ship packages up to 70 lbs to any state at the same price. Ship from Post Office locations or online from your home or business.

What happens if no one signs for priority mail? ›

How does Redelivery Handle Priority Mail Express? If the letter carrier cannot deliver the item (for example, if no one is available to sign for the mailpiece or the sender either requested a signature or did not request “Waiver of Signature”), they will leave a PS Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You!

What are the rules for priority mail? ›

The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs. The maximum size for Priority Mail items is 108 inches in combined length and girth (the length of the longest side, plus the distance around its thickest part). The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box is priced at $8.95, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled.

What happens if priority mail takes longer than 3 days? ›

If your mail sent via priority mail is delayed or doesn't arrive by the schedule, you can be interested in a money-back guarantee. In such cases, you can request a refund through the USPS website.

How fast is priority mail really? ›

Priority Mail® is our bestselling mail service. Domestic deliveries arrive in 1-3 business days4 depending on where your package starts and where it's going. Tracking and insurance are included, shipping boxes and envelopes are free, and with Priority Mail Flat Rate®, you don't need to weigh shipments 70 lbs and under.

Is priority mail 3 days guaranteed? ›

Priority Mail is the standard domestic air service for USPS. Packages are delivered within 1-3 business days with tracking in the lower 48 states. Priority Mail does not offer a delivery guarantee, though. This means that packages may take longer to reach their destinations than the estimated 1-3 days.

Does the post office guarantee priority mail? ›

Priority Mail may arrive in 1 day, 2 days or 3 days based on where you're shipping your package from and where it's being sent. (The scheduled delivery day can be found when postage is calculated) This is not a guaranteed service. Date of delivery is not guaranteed.

Can Priority mail be lost? ›

Priority Mail Express® Service

Using the tracking numbers, you can check the delivery status online at USPS Tracking®. If seven (7) or more days have passed since the date of mailing and the recipient has confirmed the item has not arrived, you may either submit a search request for your lost mailpiece and/or email us.

Can priority mail be delivered without signature? ›

Does Priority Mail require a signature? Priority Mail shipments are eligible for USPS signature confirmation. It's up to the shipper to add signature requirements to their packages at a fee.

Does priority mail show on informed delivery? ›

Package tracking information on Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail® and other parcels is only available through the Informed Delivery® dashboard. See informeddelivery.usps.com for additional information and limitations.

Can you track a USPS priority mail? ›

Whether you are the sender or recipient, you can track your item: Online: Use USPS Tracking® on the United States Postal Service® website. By text: Send a text to 28777 (2USPS) with your tracking number as the content of the message.

Does priority mail move on Sunday? ›

Keep in mind that priority mail express is not the same as priority mail. Unlike priority mail express, USPS doesn't deliver priority mail on Sundays. The difference between them is then both the shipping times and the prices.

Do I get a refund if priority mail is late? ›

Priority Mail Express® service items may be eligible for a refund. The United States Postal Service® refunds the postage and, if purchased, the Sunday or holiday premium fee: When the item is not delivered by the guaranteed delivery date and time specified at the time of mailing.

Is Priority mail the slowest? ›

Priority Mail Express is the fastest mail service offered by the Postal Service. It provides guaranteed 1-Day or 2-Day expedited service by 3 p.m. for any mailable matter and includes $100 of insurance coverage. Priority Mail Express delivery is offered 365 days a year in many locations.

Is it normal for mail to take 2 weeks? ›

Standard mail will typically be delivered in under 5 business days locally, but nationwide it could take 2 to 3 weeks. Standard Mail should not be used for time-sensitive mail. There are two main factors to consider when deciding whether to use First Class mail or Standard.

How long will priority mail take from zip code to zip code? ›

USPS Domestic Transit Times
ServiceDelivery Time
Priority Mail1-3 business days
First-Class Mail1-5 business days
USPS Ground Advantage2-5 business days
Media Mail2-8 business days
1 more row
Aug 4, 2022

How slow is USPS Priority mail? ›

MAIL CLASSDELIVERY STANDARD
Priority Mail®1, 2, or 3 business days (not guaranteed)
First-Class Mail®1-5 business days (not guaranteed)
USPS Ground Advantage™2-5 business days* (not guaranteed) *If it contains Hazardous Materials / Live Animals 2-8 business days* (not guaranteed)
5 more rows

Does priority mail require a signature? ›

A signature is required for Priority Mail Express COD, or Priority Mail Express with additional insurance. Retail Priority Mail Express 1-Day and 2-Day items may be mailed at Post Offices, stations, and branches; dropped into Priority Mail Express collection boxes; handed to carriers; or picked up by the USPS.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 5528

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.