Mail Classifications

Priority Mail

Minimum Weight: None (if mailpiece is marked "Priority Mail").

Maximum Weight: 70 pounds

Required Marking: "Priority" or "Priority Mail."

There are no discounted rates for Priority Mail.

Priority Mail is First-Class Mail that weighs over 13 ounces. All matter that is mailable by air can be mailed as Priority Mail. Some things MUST be mailed as Priority Mail (or First-Class Mail), including:

• Handwritten or typewritten material.
• Bills, statements of account or invoices, credit cards.
• Personal correspondence (a letter to Grandma), personalized business correspondence (a handwritten letter to your customer).
• All matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.

 

If getting your mail there fast is your top priority, Priority Mail offers the best value. Priority Mail postage includes forwarding and return service. You can enhance the service, security, and convenience of Priority Mail by adding extra services such as Delivery Confirmation and Registered Mail. These services are available for a small fee at USPS locations.

Postage for Priority Mail weighing less than 1 pound is the same price, no matter where you are mailing it. For Priority Mail over 1 pound, the postage rate is determined by how far the mailpiece must travel to get to its destination: the farther it travels the more you pay in postage. The actual distance is measured by "zones." Zones range from zone 1 (local, close to you) to zone 8 (very far away from you). The farther the mail travels, the more zones it crosses, and the more postage you pay.

 

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