What Is USPS Ground Advantage™? Shipping Benefits and Prices
by EasyPost
Looking for an affordable, reliable way to ship parcels domestically? Look no further than USPS Ground Advantage. Read on to learn how this service works, how much it costs, and when to use it.
What is USPS Ground Advantage™?
USPS Ground Advantage is a shipping service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS). It’s one of the best options out there for businesses that need a budget-friendly shipping method for lightweight deliveries, with shipments generally taking between 2 and 5 days. In addition to being affordable, this service also comes with lots of great benefits, such as $100 of insurance, tracking, Saturday delivery, and free pickups.
As the name implies, USPS Ground Advantage shipments travel via ground transportation, so it’s mandated for shipping most hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that can’t be sent by air.
USPS Ground Advantage was first made available in July 2023, when First-Class Package Service®, Retail Ground®, and Parcel Select Ground® were merged into a single service. It covers all 50 states, U.S. territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.
Benefits of USPS Ground Advantage
USPS Ground Advantage comes with lots of built-in benefits, including $100 worth of insurance, free pickups, package tracking, and more.
- Insured up to $100. Both outbound and return packages include $100 worth of insurance, and you can purchase additional coverage for more valuable shipments.
- Broad geographic range. USPS Ground Advantage is available nationwide, allowing you to ship to all 50 states. You can also ship to U.S. military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.
- Free package pickup. When you’re ready to ship your packages, USPS will come pick them up for no extra cost.
- Package tracking. Package tracking is automatically included in the shipping price.
- No Saturday shipping charges. While USPS Ground Advantage doesn’t deliver on Sunday, it delivers on Saturday for no extra cost.
- Fast shipping. As mentioned above, shipments generally take between 2 and 5 business days.
- HAZMAT shipping. Certain items and materials are too dangerous to be shipped via air. With USPS Ground Advantage, you can safely send these items.
- Cubic Pricing available. Because Cubic Pricing is based on package dimensions and shipping distance rather than weight, it's a great way to save money when shipping small, dense packages.
- Merchant Discount pricing. USPS Ground Advantage is even more affordable when you ship with EasyPost. We offer discounts lower than Retail and Commercial Pricing.
How does USPS Ground Advantage work?
When you ship with USPS Ground Advantage, you use your own packaging. Prices are based on package weight and distance or cubic volume; for more details, see the section “How much does ground shipping cost?”
In this section, we’ll cover size requirements and restricted items.
Size requirements
Because USPS Ground Advantage is designed for parcel shipping, you’ll need to comply with weight and size restrictions. The maximum weight for packages is 70 pounds, and the maximum combined length and girth is 130 inches.
As shown in these illustrations, Girth is the distance around the widest part of a package. If you have a standard square or rectangular package, you can calculate girth with this formula:
Girth = length + (width x 2) + (height x 2)
Dimensional weight
If your packages are large and lightweight, you may be charged dimensional (DIM) weight rates instead of the normal rates. This is because large packages take up more space in carrier vehicles, thus costing more to transport (regardless of weight).
Packages larger than 1 cubic foot may be charged based on DIM weight. To see if DIM weight pricing will apply to your shipment, use this formula:
DIM weight = (length x width x height)* / 166
*Measured in inches
This will give you your package’s DIM weight in pounds. If the DIM weight is greater than the actual weight, you’ll pay the DIM weight price.
Oversized and nonstandard packages
While the maximum combined weight and girth for packages is 130 inches, anything over 108 is considered an oversized package and will cost more to ship—between $93.95 and $246.60, depending on how far the package is traveling.
Packages that are nonstandard sizes also come with extra fees:
- Over 22 and up to 30 inches long: add $4.00
- Over 30 inches long: add $8.40
- More than 2 cubic feet: add $18.00
Restricted items
Like other carriers, USPS has a list of items it prohibits entirely in shipments. Because these materials are flammable or chemically reactive, they can cause injuries or damage if they’re not handled properly. These banned items include ammunition, explosives, and liquid mercury.
Other items, such as alcohol, firearms, and lithium batteries, are restricted, meaning you can ship them as long as you follow packaging guidelines and use the right shipping service. Since potentially dangerous materials usually can’t be shipped by plane, USPS Ground Advantage is an excellent option for sending these items.
How much does shipping with USPS Ground Advantage cost?
USPS Ground Advantage is one of the most cost-effective ways to ship packages up to 70 pounds. Just keep in mind USPS has several nonstandard package fees for larger shipments.
Unlike flat-rate shipping prices, USPS Ground Advantage rates are based on weight (or cubic volume) and distance. USPS Ground Advantage is often a better value for lightweight goods at closer distances, while flat-rate works best for dense, long-distance shipments.
In the tables below, we’ll break down the costs for lightweight and heavier packages.
If the Retail Pricing feels a little steep, don’t stress! You can save money by using a shipping API like EasyPost.
EasyPost automatically integrates with USPS and other large, regional, and local carriers, allowing you to print shipping labels for any carrier you choose. And instead of paying Retail rates (what you’d pay if you walked into a post office), you get access to Merchant Discount Pricing. These rates are better than both Retail and Commercial Pricing that you’d find through USPS or other shipping providers.
Learn more about USPS Merchant Discount Pricing and get started for free.
Packages up to 15.999 ounces
USPS Ground Advantage offers competitive pricing for both small and large packages. For parcels weighing up to 15.999 ounces, rates increase in 4-ounce tiers, and you’ll need to round up to the nearest tier. For example, if your package weighs 6.3 ounces, USPS will charge the 8-ounce rate.
The charts in this article show Retail costs for Zone 1, but prices vary across shipping zones.
Weight | Retail Cost (Zone 1) |
|---|---|
Up to 4 oz | $5.00 |
Up to 8 oz | $5.70 |
Up to 12 oz | $6.50 |
Up to 15.999 oz | $8.00 |
Shipping small, dense packages? Cubic Pricing can help lower costs. Learn more here.
Packages over 15.999 ounces
For packages over 15.999 ounces, rates increase by the pound. Just like with the lightweight packages, you’ll round up—so if your package weighs 12.2 pounds, you’ll pay the 13-pound price.
Prices are displayed in 10-pound increments for the sake of space; view a full pricing chart here or calculate the exact cost of your shipments using the USPS calculator.
Weight (pounds) | Retail Cost (Zone 1) |
|---|---|
1 | $8.00 |
10 | $13.40 |
20 | $19.20 |
30 | $31.55 |
40 | $38.60 |
50 | $44.75 |
60 | $49.95 |
70 | $54.30 |
USPS Ground Advantage vs. other shipping options
While USPS Ground Advantage is a great way to ship packages, it’s not the only option the Postal Service offers. Businesses generally go with one of three USPS shipping services: Ground Advantage, Priority Mail®, and Priority Mail Express®. But what’s the difference between these shipping methods, and when should you use each one?
USPS Ground Advantage is the most cost-effective solution, making it ideal for businesses looking to save on shipping costs. Delivery usually takes between 2 and 5 days, and for shipments that aren’t time-sensitive, the reduced rates more than compensate for the slightly longer transit times. Plus, keep in mind that Ground Advantage is also the only way to transport certain HAZMAT products that can’t be shipped via air.
Priority Mail is the best USPS shipping option when sending packages that are a little more urgent, since it offers delivery times of 1 to 3 days. Priority Mail offers flat-rate pricing, which can be a lifesaver if your business frequently ships small, dense packages. It’s a good bet if you’re looking to balance speed and cost.
Priority Mail Express is the best way to send urgent deliveries. It provides next-day or two-day delivery with a money-back guarantee, ensuring that your customers get their packages exactly when they need them.
Save on USPS Ground Advantage shipping with EasyPost
USPS Ground Advantage is one of the most cost-effective ways to ship, especially if you’re sending lightweight packages or packages containing hazardous materials. But you can save even more when you use shipping software.
With EasyPost, you’ll get access to special discounted rates on USPS Ground Advantage and other services from an extensive collection of carriers.
Frequently asked questions
How does Ground Advantage compare to Priority Mail?
USPS Ground Advantage is slower than Priority Mail (2 to 5 days vs. 1 to 3 days), but it’s also more affordable. This makes it ideal for shipments that don't require rapid delivery. While Priority Mail offers flat-rate pricing options, Ground Advantage pricing is based on weight and distance. Both services include up to $100 of shipping insurance.
Is USPS Ground Advantage shipping good for hazardous materials?
Yes, USPS Ground Advantage is one of the few services USPS offers for ground-based transportation of hazardous materials. This makes it a great choice for businesses shipping items like lithium batteries.
Does Ground Advantage deliver on weekends?
While it does not offer Sunday delivery, USPS Ground Advantage includes Saturday delivery at no extra cost.
Can I get discounts on USPS Ground Advantage?
Yes, partnering with a shipping platform like EasyPost can provide discounts that are lower than retail and commercial pricing, making this service even more affordable.