USPS First Class: Everything You Need to Know

Launching July 2023 USPS - Ground Advantage is a new service that replaces the existing First-Class Package and Parcel Select Ground options. Combining the strengths of both to create a new faster and more affordable service, you can conveniently ship packages weighing up to 70lbs and expect them to be delivered within 2-5 business days.

Reduce delivery times for great prices with our free Shipping Rate Calculator! Get exclusive discounts today.

Shipping lightweight items domestically or internationally? You’re in the right place. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers numerous shipping options like USPS Priority Mail Express or USPS First Class International. But, which one is right for your eCommerce business?

USPS First Class Package is a fast, affordable way to ship your lightweight items domestically and internationally. So, if you’re shipping an item under one pound, USPS First Class is your best bet if you want a cost-effective way to ship your parcels.

In this blog, we’ll go over everything you need to know about USPS First Class Package so you know if it’s a good fit for your eCommerce business.

What is USPS First Class Package?

USPS First Class Package is a fast, affordable way to ship your lightweight items domestically or internationally. For items under 1 pound, this shipping option is the best way to ship your items.

Here are the other key features included in this shipping service:

• Fast delivery: Delivery is within 1 to 3 business days for domestic shipments For international shipments, it takes 7 to 21 business days
• Insurance included: Up to $5,000 of shipping insurance for your parcel
• Tracking included: Free door-to-door tracking is included

So, what can you ship with USPS First Class Package? Here are some popular items shipped with this service:

• Business and personal correspondence
• Cards
• Brochures
• Lightweight merchandise (i.e., clothes)

Whether you’re shipping a sweater or brochures, USPS First Class Package is great for all your lightweight items.

How Much Does It Cost?

There’s no standard, one-size-fits-all price when it comes to shipping. For instance, the cost of your package depends on the following factors:

• Dimensions
• Weight
• Distance
• Courier service

Though there isn’t one standard price for shipping, USPS First Class Package prices start at $0.58 for domestic shipments. On the other hand, USPS First Class Package International starts at $14.25 for overseas packages.

Say you want to ship a 0.70-pound package from New York to Los Angeles using USPS First Class Package. Here’s the calculated cost for shipping your item across the country.

As we can see, it costs $6.25 to ship your package to Los Angeles and takes five business days to arrive. Now, what if we wanted to ship the same package but to the United Kingdom? Here are the calculated shipping costs.

It costs $26.00 to ship the 0.70-pound package from NY to the UK. Though a specific delivery lead time isn’t provided, customers can expect their parcels to arrive anywhere from 7 to 21 business days.

While USPS is a cost-effective postal service, eCommerce merchants can save even more money when connecting with a reliable shipping platform. Instead of paying retail shipping rates, merchants can receive high-volume discounts on multiple shipping couriers.

Say you want to ship the same 0.70-pound package from NY to LA. We’ll use Easyship’s Free Shipping Rates Calculator to calculate the cost of shipping.

Using Easyship’s Free Shipping Rates Calculator, you’ll only pay $4.98 to ship a 0.7-pound parcel with a USPS First Class Package. Plus, customers receive their parcel within three business days.

Now, let’s say you want to ship the same 0.7-pound parcel from NY to the UK using Easyship’s Shipping Rates Calculator. Here’s the calculated shipping cost:

It costs $24.70 to ship a 0.70-pound parcel with USPS First Class International. But, this option comes with limited tracking and takes 6 to 13 business days to deliver. So, if your customers aren’t in a hurry to receive their items, this option is an excellent fit for your eCommerce business.

So, how much does Easyship save merchants shipping with USPS First Class Package? We’ll break down the savings compared to retail shipping rates here:

Shipping from NY to LA

• Shipping with USPS: $6.25
• Shipping with Easyship: $4.98

Shipping from NY to the UK

• Shipping with USPS: $26.00
• Shipping with Easyship: $24.70

Easyship is the clear-cut winner when it comes to the cheapest and best available shipping rates. Users always save up to 70% off discounted USPS shipping rates and receive all the bells and whistles of USPS that customers love.

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How Does USPS First Class Package Compare to Other USPS Services?

USPS First Class Package is an excellent choice for lightweight items. But, how does this shipping service compare to other USPS options?

In this section, we’ll compare different USPS shipping options so you know what works best for your eCommerce business and your customers. Alternatively, you can use Easyship’s Free USPS Comparison Tool to get the full rundown of features and benefits of different USPS shipping services.

USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day vs. USPS First Class Package

USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day is an expedited shipping service that delivers your parcel in one business day. But, how does this shipping service compare to USPS First Class Package?

Here’s how USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day and USPS First Class Package differ:

• Price: It costs $46.30 for USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day for a 0.70-pound parcel shipping from NY to LA. Alternatively, it costs $6.25 for USPS First Class Package
• Delivery lead time: Delivery in one business day with USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day. On the other hand, your parcel is delivered anywhere from 1 to 5 business days
• Weight restrictions: Ship parcels up to 70 pounds with USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day. Alternatively, ship parcels up to 13 oz (~0.81 pounds) with USPS First Class Package

If you have no time to spare with shipping, then USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day is your best choice. However, USPS First Class Package is a better option for lightweight items that don’t need expedited delivery.

USPS Retail Ground vs. USPS First Class Package

USPS Retail Ground is an economical shipping option with a lead time of 2 to 8 business days. However, let’s see how it compares to USPS First Class Package.

Here’s how USPS Retail Ground and USPS First Class Package differ:

• Price: It costs $10.30 for a 0.70-pound parcel with USPS Retail Ground. Alternatively, it costs $6.25 for the same 0.70-pound package with USPS First Class Package
• Delivery lead time: USPS Retail Ground offers a delivery lead time of 2 to 8 business days. On the other hand, it takes 1 to 5 business days with USPS First Class Package
• Weight restrictions: Ship parcels up to 70 pounds with USPS Retail Ground. Though, you can only ship up to 13 oz. with USPS First Class Package

If you’re shipping items less than one pound, then USPS First Class Package is the better option. Plus, it offers a faster delivery lead time of 3 to 5 business days. On the other hand, USPS Retail Ground is best for packages above one pound and doesn’t require fast shipping.

USPS Priority Mail Express International vs. USPS First Class Package International

USPS Priority Mail Express International takes 3 to 5 business days to deliver your parcel. However, how does this compare to USPS First Class Package?

Here’s how USPS Priority Mail Express International and USPS First Class Package International compare:

• Price: It costs $71.75 to ship a 0.70-pound package with USPS Priority Mail Express International. On the other hand, it costs $26.00 with USPS First Class Package International
• Delivery lead time: It takes 3 to 5 business days with USPS Priority Mail Express International. Though, USPS First Class Package International takes 7 to 21 business days
• Weight restrictions: Ship parcels up to 70 pounds with USPS Priority Mail Express International. Alternatively, ship parcels up to 4 pounds with USPS First Class Package International

USPS Priority Mail International is the better choice for fast, expedited shipping. But, if your customers are willing to wait longer for their parcel, USPS First Class Package is a reliable shipping service that can get your parcel from Point A to Point B.

Related post: First Class Mail vs. Priority Mail Comparison

Ship USPS First Class Mail with Easyship

USPS First Class Package is an excellent choice for merchants who want a cost-effective way to ship their lightweight items for domestic and international shipments. So whether you’re shipping a sweater across the country or overseas, USPS First Class Package is a reliable option for eCommerce merchants.

Connecting with a reliable shipping platform can grant you instant access to high-volume discounts. So, you can say goodbye to expensive retail shipping prices when you connect your USPS account with Easyship.

Easyship saves users up to 76% off discounted USPS shipping rates. Plus, our all-in-one dashboard makes it easy to manage all your USPS shipping activity, schedule pickups, generate shipping labels, and track your shipments. Contact our team of shipping experts to create a seamless shipping experience.

Ready to ship with USPS? Sign up for a free Easyship account and access high-volume discounts with USPS and other major courier services

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USPS First Class FAQ

What packaging can I use for USPS First Class?

USPS offers free packaging for your shipments. You can visit your local post office or order them through the USPS website to save some extra cash on shipping and packaging.

Where can you drop off USPS First Class packages?

You can drop off your USPS First-Class Package at your local post office or any collection mailbox.

Are USPS First Class Packages insured?

Yes, all letters or parcels sent via First Class Mail are insured for any loss or damage up to $5,000.

If you found this article informative, you may enjoy the following:

• What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship with USPS?
• The Guide to USPS Overnight Shipping
• USPS Holiday Schedule: The Dates You Should Know