Mail Classifications

Package

Minimum Weight: none

Maximum Weight:15 pounds (for Bound Printed Matter)
 70 pounds (for Parcel Post, Media Mail, and Library Mail)

 

Package Services is a class of mail primarily intended for merchandise, catalogs, and other printed material. Package Services does not receive expedited service. There are four subclasses of Package Services (see below). Each subclass is best suited for a certain kind of mail, so be sure to pick the one that best suits your mailing. Package Services does not include free forwarding and return, but mailers can use ancillary service endorsements to tell the Postal Service how to treat undeliverable mail.

Unendorsed Package Services, mail that is refused or is otherwise undeliverable will be returned to the sender rated postage due, except for Bound Printed Matter. Unendorsed, undeliverable Bound Printed Matter is disposed of at the local office.

You can enhance the service and convenience of Package Services by adding extra services such as insurance and Delivery Confirmation. These services are available for a small fee. To find out more about extra services visit The United States Postal Service

Postage discounts are available for bulk quantities of Package Services that meet additional standards for volume, presort, and destination entry.

If you are mailing merchandise, compare the costs and service between Priority Mail and Package Services. In many cases, the postage costs are very similar to Priority Mail but Priority Mail gets there faster and includes free forwarding and return.

 

Note that the US Postal Service is a wonderful resource for updates on mail classification requirements.  Please visit www.usps.com to find the most up-to-date postage rates, sizes, and maximum and minimum weights