First Class vs. Priority Mail: Which To Choose?
by EasyPost
Peak season is just around the corner, and as an ecommerce business, shipping concerns will be top-of-mind for the next few months. With so many carrier options available, deciding what will work best for you can be difficult. It’s essential to deliver parcels on time, undamaged, and at the lowest cost possible, and we are here to help you find that sweet spot. We’ll start by breaking down your USPS options.
First Class vs. Priority Mail
The United States Postal Service has a long history – the first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin, was appointed in 1775 – and they lead the world in mail and package delivery volume each year. Though they didn’t start shipping packages until 1913, USPS shipping volume reached a staggering 7.6 billion packages delivered in 2021. Today, several parcel delivery options are available with USPS, the two most popular being First Class and Priority Mail® shipping.
What is USPS First Class Mail?
First Class Mail® is the standard USPS delivery service. It’s fast, reliable, and affordable, and business discounts are available. This short list highlights the unique parameters of First Class Mail:
- 1 – 5 business days for mail delivery
- 2 – 5 business days for small package delivery
- 3.5 oz max for letters
- 13 oz max for parcels, retail
- 15.99 oz max for parcels, commercial
- Insurance up to $5k for merchandise
- No tracking, but Certified Mail® is an option
Weight, size, and shape will affect pricing, with additional charges for nonmachinable envelopes (square, lumpy, rigid, etc.), large sizes, and weights that exceed the maximum ounces listed above. In addition, businesses may qualify for discounted rates with a few differences in size and weight requirements for retail vs. commercial shipping.
| Mail/Package Type | Max Weight | Size Range | Thickness Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | |||
| Letters | 3.5 ounces | 3.5” x 5” – 6.125” x 11.5” | 0.009” – 0.25” |
| Postcards | 0.99 ounces | 3.5” x 5” – 6.125” x 11.5” | 0.007” – 0.016” |
| Flats (Lg Envelopes) | 13 ounces | 6.125” x 11.5” – 12” x 15” | 0.25” – 0.75” |
| Package (FCPS-R) | 13 ounces | Cannot exceed 108” length + girth | 0.007” minimum |
| Commercial | |||
| Letters | 3.5 ounces | 3.5” x 5” – 6.125” x 11.5” | 0.007” – 0.25” |
| Postcards | 0.99 ounces | 3.5” x 5” – 4.25” x 6” 4.25” x 6” – 6” x 9” | 0.007” – 0.016” 0.009” – 0.016” |
| Flats (Lg Envelopes) | 13 ounces | 6.125” x 11.5” – 12” x 15” | 0.25” – 0.75” |
| Package (FCPS-C) | 15.99 ounces | Cannot exceed 108” length + girth AND No more than 22” x 18” x 15” | 0.007” - 15” |
Choose First Class shipping for smaller parcels that don’t exceed a pound and when delivery dates are more flexible. In addition, high-volume shippers will benefit from commercial prices – which are available to any business that uses EasyPost’s Shipping API.
What is USPS Priority Mail?
The most popular USPS mail service, Priority Mail, has been around since 1968. It’s the best-selling option for good reason – several good reasons, actually:
- 1 – 3 business days for domestic delivery
- Free tracking and insurance
- Free Flat Rate shipping boxes and envelopes
- 70 lbs and under shipments don’t need to be weighed for Flat Rate
Priority Mail includes the use of Flat Rate packaging free of charge, and those who go this route pay the same price (a flat-rate fee associated with each envelope or box) for packages up to 70 lbs delivered anywhere in the U.S. Those who use their own packaging will pay variable rates based on the weight of the package and how far the package has to travel to be delivered. For this weight- and zone-based pricing, dimensions matter, and they figure into the cost of shipping a package.
Commercial and online customers who choose Priority Mail can use a free regional rate box instead of a Flat Rate box. This option makes the most of speed, convenience, and regional pricing for those who send small, dense packages short distances on a regular basis.
Choose Priority Mail shipping for larger packages, faster shipping, and faster delivery dates. Flat Rate shipping is also a great option if your packages are under 70 lbs and they fit into the provided packaging.
What is media mail?
Media Mail® is available when you need to ship media and educational materials such as books, films, printed music, video and sound recordings, etc. And as long as the package does not need to be delivered quickly, using Media Mail is more cost-effective than either First Class or Priority Mail.
- 2 - 8 business days for delivery
- 70 lbs maximum weight
Choose Media Mail to ship media and educational materials if you’re not in a hurry to get the parcel delivered quickly.
Maximum size and weight for USPS packages
When deciding between First Class and Priority Mail shipping, one thing to keep in mind is the maximum size and weight restrictions you’ll need to comply with. Though the dimensions are very similar, the weight restrictions are quite different. And for Priority Mail Flat Rate packages, the box size is tied to the rate. So if you need one of the larger boxes, you’ll be paying more.
| First Class vs. Priority Mail | ||
|---|---|---|
| Restriction Type | First Class Mail | Priority Mail |
| Dimensions | Up to 108” length + girth AND No more than 22” x 18” x 15” | Up to 108” length + girth |
| Weight | Up to 15.99 oz (commercial) | Up to 70 lbs |
Shipping shoes vs. shipping t-shirts
Using an example will highlight the advantages of different shipping options in varying circumstances. To illustrate, we will compare the price and delivery times of shipping a pair of shoes vs. a t-shirt. For this example, we will keep the distance the same and ship from San Francisco, CA, to Austin, TX.
| Sneakers vs. T-Shirt | ||
|---|---|---|
| Air Jordan 3 | T-Shirt | |
| Weight | 18.6 oz | 6 oz |
| Size Constraints | 13.25” x 8.5” x 5” | flexible |
| First Class | N/A - too heavy | $5.40 |
| Expected Delivery | N/A | 4 – 5 business days |
| Priority Mail | $14.75 | $10.90 |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate | $21.50 (large box) | $9.45 (small box) |
| Expected Delivery | 3 business days | 3 business days |
For the shoes, First Class shipping is not an option because the shoes exceed weight limits. Priority Mail is the only option, and because of the Air Jordan shoe box size, the Priority Mail Flat doesn’t make sense at $21.50. It’s much better to save nearly $6 and package it up yourself.
For the t-shirt, First Class delivery may be the way to go unless you’re in a hurry. At $5.40 and 4 business days, you’re saving $4.05 and getting it there in only one more day. If you need it delivered quickly, the least expensive option would be to go with Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping. The t-shirt will easily fit into the free small box for a total of $9.45 – and you will save on packaging.
Shipping with EasyPost
We’ve packed a lot of information into this post; luckily, you don’t need to memorize it. Our Shipping API makes it simple to find the fastest, most cost-effective shipping opportunities for your business.
Integrating the free API puts the most reliable technology platform to work for you:
- Experience 99.99% uptime
- Save up to 74% on shipping costs
- Improve on-time delivery to 90% or better
- Print your own labels
- Verify addresses
- Insure your packages
- Neutralize your carbon footprint
- Track all your packages
- Gain access to PC Postage with USPS
- And more!
Remove the technical complexities of shipping logistics – especially with peak season on the horizon – so you can focus on helping your business grow.
Which should you choose? First Class vs. Priority Mail
When choosing between USPS First Class and Priority Mail shipping, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind: package size and weight, delivery speed, shipping distance, and cost. Package size, weight, and shipping distance can impact the cost, so you’ll also need to prioritize delivery speed or shipping costs.
| First Class vs. Priority Mail | ||
|---|---|---|
| Restriction Type | First Class Mail | Priority Mail |
| Speed | 2 – 5 business days | 1 – 3 business days |
| Dimensions | Up to 108” length + girth AND No more than 22” x 18” x 15” | Up to 108” length + girth |
| Weight | Up to 15.99 oz | Up to 70 lbs |
| Tracking | No tracking through USPS | Tracking through USPS |
| Insurance | Purchase up to $5k insurance on merchandise | Up to $100 insurance free with most shipments |
| Shipping Materials | Use your own | Use Flat Rate boxes and envelopes free OR Use your own |
So which service wins: First Class or Priority Mail? It depends.
Choose First Class shipping when you’re shipping items that weigh less than a pound and if you don’t need to get it there within three days. Make sure you take advantage of commercial prices for First Class shipping if you go this route to have a bit more flexibility on weight limits.
Choose Priority Mail shipping when you’re shipping heavier items or when you need to get it there in three days or faster. Flat Rate shipping and regional rate shipping are also great options that fit well for many ecommerce businesses, plus you’ll save a bit by using free USPS shipping boxes.
If it’s still too much to think about – it is a lot of moving parts – save yourself the headache and use our Shipping API. It will automatically calculate your best shipping option as well as any discounts you’re eligible for. Sign up free today or schedule a time to speak with one of our shipping experts for more information!