U.S. Postal Rates & Fees

Updated September 13, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

First-Class Mail includes all personal correspondence, all bills and statements of accounts, all matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection, and matter wholly or partly in writing or typewriting. Any mailable items may be sent as First-Class Mail. Each piece must weigh 13 oz or less. Pieces over 13 oz can be sent as Priority Mail.

Retail Letters and Cards

Weight not

over (oz)
Rate
1 $0.49
2 0.71
3 0.93
3.5 1.15

Express Mail is the fastest service, with guaranteed next day delivery to most destinations. Express Mail is delivered 365 days a year-with no extra charge for Saturday. A $12.50 surcharge is levied for Sunday or holiday delivery. Items must weigh 70 lbs or less and measure 108 in. or less in combined length and girth. Prices are for retail (at Post Office) and online.

Customer Service: 1-800-275-8777. Order Express Mail supplies and labels, arrange pickup service, obtain delivery information between ZIP Codes, and determine delivery status.

Post Office to Addressee Service (Express Mail - Retail)

Type Price
Envelope $22.95
Legal Envelope 22.95
Padded Envelope 22.95
Box From 22.95
Other options, see postmaster  
Source:USPS

Priority Mail offers 1-3 day service to most domestic destinations. Items must weigh 70 lbs or less and measure 108 in. or less in combined length and girth. Prices are Post Office (retail and online) rates.

Priority Mail Prices

Service Price
Priority Mail (Up to 1 lbs) 6.45
Flat Rate Envelope 6.45
Flat Rate Legal Envelope 6.45
Flat Rate Padded Envelope 6.80
Small Flat Rate Box 6.80
Medium Flat Rate Box 13.45
Large Flat Rate Box 18.75
For other Priority Mail options, see postmaster.
Zone Chart Program (/node/4994) provides a 1-page zone chart for your origin ZIP Code.
 

Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope

$6.45 paid online, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a flat-rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.

 
U.S. Postal Rates and Fees
 
 

Generally used for books (at least eight pages), film (16 mm or narrower), printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable media. Advertising restrictions apply. Packages must measure 108 in. or less in combined length and girth.

Weight not

over (lbs)
Rate
1 $2.72
2 3.22
3 3.72
4 4.22
5 4.72
 
U.S. Postal Rates and Fees
 
 

Certificate of Mailing

Provides evidence of mailing only. Certificate of mailing does not provide a record of delivery. Must be purchased at time of mailing. Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail.

Fee, in addition to postage-$1.35

Certified Mail

Provides the sender with a mailing receipt. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS. No insurance provided. Available with First-Class Mail and Priority Mail. For an additional fee, certified mail may be combined with restricted delivery or return receipt.

Fee, in addition to postage-$3.45

Insurance

Provides coverage against loss or damage. Coverage up to $5,000 for Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail matter as well as merchandise mailed at Priority Mail or First-Class Mail rates. Items must not be insured for more than their value. Insured mail must be presented to a retail employee at a post office or a rural carrier.

Liability Fee, in

addition to

postage
$.01 to $50.00 $2.20
$50.01 to $100.00 2.75
$100.01 to $200.00 3.50
$200.01 to $300.00 4.60
$300.01 to $400.00 5.80

Money Orders

Provides safe transmission of money. Available in amounts up to $1,000.

Fee up to $500, in addition to postage-$1.25

Fee up to $1,000, in addition to postage-$1.65

Registered Mail

Provides maximum protection and security for valuables. Provides sender with mailing receipt and a delivery record is maintained by the USPS. A record of mailing is also maintained at the mailing post office. Available only for items paid at Priority Mail and First-Class Mail rates. Rates start at $12.20.

Restricted Delivery

Permits a mailer to direct delivery only to the addressee or addressee's authorized agent. The addressee must be an individual specified by name. Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail that is sent certified mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, or registered mail.

Fee, in addition to postage-$5.15

Return Receipt

Available only for Express Mail, Certified Mail, COD, Insured Mail for more than $50.00, or Registered Mail.

Requested at time of mailing: (receive by mail) 2.80
Requested at time of mailing: (receive electronically) 1.40

Collect on Delivery (COD)

Allows mailers to collect the price of goods and/or postage on merchandise ordered by addressee when it is delivered. Fees include insurance. Maximum amount $1,000; see postmaster for details.

 

U.S. Postal Rates and Fees

 

 
 

Mail must meet these standards:

  • Thickness—No less than 0.007 in. thick. Pieces that are 1/4 in. thick or less must be at least 31/2 in. high, 5 in. long, and rectangular in shape.
  • Combined length and girth—No more than 108 in.
  • Weight—No more than 70 lbs.

Postcards must be:

  • Minimum 31/2 in. high, 5 in. long by .007 in. thick.
  • Maximum 41/4 in. high, 6 in. long by .016 in. thick.


 

 
 
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