USPS Ground Advantage: How It Works and When To Use It

What is USPS Ground Advantage?

For shippers looking for the most economical ground delivery, USPS Ground Advantage is the best option available. It provides a low-cost option to bulk deliver packages using the Postal Service’s standard ground delivery service.

When shipping Hazardous Material, USPS Ground Advantage is the preferred service since it is a full ground network. On the other hand, if you are delivering more fragile items, USPS Ground Advantage may not be the best option for you. The parcels are shipped by ground and regularly handled, meaning they are more exposed to damage than other means of delivery and shipping.

USPS Ground Advantage can be used to send packages to all 50 states, U.S. military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States. It includes $100 of USPS insurance coverage for no additional cost.

How does USPS Ground Advantage work?

Shipping with USPS Ground Advantage is a straightforward process—especially when you’re using EasyPost’s multi-carrier shipping API.

When you sign up with EasyPost, you are automatically set up with a USPS account and can immediately start shipping with USPS Ground Advantage. USPS Ground Advantage requires you to use your own packaging and pay shipping fees based on weight and distance.

To get your packages delivered using USPS Ground Advantage, simply use the EasyPost UI to create labels or make requests through the API. Then, just drop your packages off at the Post Office or a USPS drop-off box, or schedule a free pickup.

How long does USPS Ground Advantage shipping take?

How fast is USPS Ground Advantage? USPS Ground Advantage delivers within 2 to 5 business days to the 48 contiguous states. This makes it a great option for non-urgent deliveries when you (or your customers) are looking to save on shipping costs.

If your package is being delivered to or from Alaska or Hawaii, delivery may take longer than 5 days. When you use EasyPost, you’ll be able to see estimated delivery dates as part of the rating process.

USPS Ground Advantage package size requirements

The maximum weight to ship with any USPS parcel service is 70 pounds, and the maximum combined length and girth of a package is 130 inches. To calculate the length and girth of a uniformly shaped package, follow these steps:

1. Add the width and height together.
2. Multiply the total by two.
3. Add the length.

If you’re shipping items weighing more than 70 pounds or with a combined length and girth greater than 130 inches, you’ll need to use a different carrier. However, for small, lightweight packages, USPS Ground Advantage is one of the most affordable shipping methods out there.

What are USPS Ground Advantage rates?

Unlike some of USPS’s other shipping services, USPS Ground Advantage doesn’t offer a flat-rate pricing option. Instead, USPS Ground Advantage pricing is determined by weight, dimensions, and distance.

Your exact shipping costs will also depend on whether you’ve entered into a contract with USPS and negotiated customized rates. Not wanting to deal with the headache of negotiations? With the right shipping solution, you can automatically access great deals! For example, EasyPost offers built-in discounts for carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

While rates will look different for every shipper, you should keep a few factors in mind to ensure you’re getting the best deals. Consider the following:

• Small package pricing. The USPS website says that Ground Advantage is their “best-priced service for items up to 15.999 [ounces], based on weight … and zone.” For these lightweight packages, the weight is rounded up in 4-ounce increments (4 ounces, 8 ounces, 12 ounces, and 15.999 ounces). For example, a 4.2-ounce package would be charged the 8-ounce price.
• Larger package pricing. Sending a package that weighs more than 15.999 ounces? It will be charged by the pound, rounded up. For example, an 8.3-pound package would be charged the 9-pound price.
• Dimensional weight charges. Large, lightweight packages may be charged dimensional (DIM) weight pricing. To determine whether DIM weight applies to your shipment, multiply its weight, length, and height, then divide by 166 to get the DIM weight in pounds. If the DIM weight is more than the actual package weight, you’ll pay the DIM weight price.
• Non-standard shapes and sizes. If your package is between 22 and 30 inches long, more than 30 inches long, or more than 30 inches long, you’ll need to pay an additional fee.
• Cubic pricing. USPS Ground Advantage supports Cubic pricing for items less than 20 pounds and up to 1 cubic foot in volume.

Benefits of USPS Ground Advantage

Why use USPS Ground Advantage? We’ve already covered many reasons why this shipping service is a great option, but before wrapping up, let’s recap some key benefits:

• Fast and affordable. USPS Ground Advantage may be affordable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re sacrificing shipping speed. Delivery can take as little as two days, making this service a great way to balance speed and cost.
• Included insurance. Each shipment comes with up to $100 of insurance coverage, free of cost. For more valuable packages, you have the option to purchase additional coverage—up to $5,000 worth.
• Free pickups. USPS will pick up shipments from your home or office for free.
• Wide coverage. This service ships anywhere in the United States, including rural areas, military bases, and U.S. territories.
• Accepts hazmat shipments. Certain hazardous materials can’t be shipped via air. USPS Ground Advantage is a safe (and legal) option for transporting these hazmat shipments.
• Tracking and other services. Tracking is included in the label cost. Other included services include forwarding, undeliverable as addressed (UAA), and return to sender (RTS).

Streamline your shipping with EasyPost

Ready to get started with USPS ground shipping? Start by signing up for a free EasyPost account. You’ll automatically get access to USPS, as well as the other carriers in our extensive carrier library. With built-in cost savings, address verification, and automatic label generation, EasyPost makes shipping simple for small and large businesses alike.

Sign up for free.