What Is First-Class Mail and How Does It Compare to Other Postal Services?

You may not be aware of the fact that when you stick a stamp on an envelope and place it in a mailbox, you send something by First-Class Mail. It is because First-Class is the regular postal service offered by USPS, most common in everyday use for less important mail sent by both companies and individuals.

Even though it is often associated with simply sending letters, there are some peculiarities worth mentioning if you want to use this service properly and with full awareness. 

Companies of any size choose First-Class Mail as an economical method to send letters, postcards, flats, and light packages to customers both locally and internationally. Keep on reading to learn more about it!

What Is First-Class Mail?

First-Class Mail is a primary service provided by USPS, designed to send postcards, letters, and lightweight packages. It is one of the most popular ways to send items through USPS due to its simplicity and affordability. It is the most economical option to send items up to 13 oz, with precise prices being based on the shape and weight of your mail.

The service’s name may suggest that it is the top-tier service - and it is performed excellently in most cases but you need to be aware that it is not as fast as Priority Mail. The delivery here takes approximately 1-5 business days, so you should use it for less urgent mailings.

The origins of First-Class Mail trace back to the first days of the postal service, and it has evolved from a basic letter delivery system to a sophisticated service using the potential of modern technologies. Such an evolution took place as a result of the constantly changing communication needs and the growing demands of the business sector.

What Can Be Sent With First-Class Mail?

Here are the types of items that can be sent with First-Class Mail:

Letters

First-Class Mail is perfect for both personal and business letters in standard-sized envelopes. It can also be used for sending less important documents.

The exact price is always based on the weight of a particular letter but it is typically the most economical choice for regular correspondence.

Postcards

You can also use First-Class Mail to send postcards, understood as single-sheet mailings with no envelope meeting specific dimension requirements. They are commonly used for marketing campaigns, announcements, reminders, and holiday greetings from tourist places.

Postcards are often cheaper than letters, so they are a great, cost-effective way for mass mailings, and they are often used for promotional purposes.

Large Envelopes/Flats

First-Class Mail can also be used for mailings that exceed the dimensions of a standard letter. With this method, you can send items that should not be folded (like legal documents, catalogs, brochures, or other large printed materials) without spending too much money. 

Even though the cost in this case can be a bit higher than in the case of a standard letter, it is still affordable, especially when it comes to bulk mailings.

Parcels and Lightweight Packages

It is also possible to send parcels and lightweight packages (like thick envelopes or tubes) with First-Class Mail, but they cannot exceed 13 ounces. It is a great option for online stores selling small items. Apart from that, this method can be applied for sending small samples to potential customers.

What Are the Costs of First-Class Mail?

As for November 2023, the prices of First-Class Mail stated by the USPS are as follows:

Letters

• Standard-sized, rectangular envelope stamps start at $0.66.
• Square, oversized, or unusually shaped envelope stamps start at $1.06.

Postcards

• Standard-sized, rectangular postcard stamps start at $0.51.
• Oversized postcards need letter stamps, which start at $0.66.

Large Envelopes

• Large envelopes (flats) start at $1.35

How Can First-Class Mail Be Upgraded?

If you can spend a little more on your mailing and you would like to upgrade the First-Class Mail service, you can do so by adding such features, as:

Certified Mail

One of the most popular upgrades for First-Class Mail is Certified Mail. Choosing this feature, you will get a mailing receipt as confirmation that the item was sent on a particular day. What’s more, the addressee will have to sign upon the delivery so it will also be confirmed with an official document. 

Such a feature proves useful especially when there are some official or legal disputes between the sender and the receiver. In this case, the receiver cannot deny they received your mail (such as an invoice), and they cannot accuse you of not sending an item on time. 

Apart from that, it facilitates communication with institutions because you can always prove that your documents (such as tax reports) were sent before the due date, even if they reach the destination later. You can also monitor the progress of the delivery thanks to a tracking system.

Registered Mail

An even more significant upgrade to First-Class Mail is Registered Mail. It allows you to not only track your mail but also insure it. In this way, even if the item does not reach the recipient for some reason, you will get proper compensation. 

The cost of such insurance depends on the value you declare, and the cost of Registered Mail itself is based on the weight of your letter or package.

What Are the Benefits of Using First-Class Mail for Business Purposes?

Using First-Class Mail combines various advantages, especially when it comes to business purposes. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:

Cost-Effectiveness

The cost advantage of First-Class mail is significant for many companies, especially when it comes to small and medium-sized businesses. Thanks to this option, they have a possibility to send official documents, invoices and marketing materials in a budget-friendly way. 

As conducting a business usually requires lots of mailing, using First-Class Mail can contribute to significant savings for your company.

Professional Image

Even though electronic communication is very popular today, still sending physical mail creates a more professional and authentic image of your company. It is particularly significant when it comes to formal communications or targeted marketing campaigns.

Reliability and Security

USPS is a trusted institution that puts a lot of emphasis on security measures, so you can be sure that your letters, postcards or small packages will be delivered safely and without complications.

How Does First-Class Compare to Other Postal Services?

In order to make informed decisions for your business, you need to be aware of how First-Class Mail compares to other postal services provided by either USPS or its alternatives. Some of the most popular ones are mentioned below:

Standard Mail (Marketing Mail)

Standard Mail, recently rebranded as Marketing Mail, is most commonly used for advertising and sending promotional materials. Unlike First-Class Mail, it does not suit time-sensitive or personal correspondence. Nonetheless, it will work perfectly for sending flyers, catalogs, newsletters, merchandise, advertisements, or small promotional items. 

This service is cheaper than First-Class Mail as it is typically used for bulk mailings, so it can help your company make some savings. There is no guaranteed delivery time in this case, but it usually takes under 5 business days locally and up to 13 days nationwide, so it is of less priority than First-Class Mail.

Apart from that, contrary to First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail does not provide free automatic returns and mail forwarding. If you want to avoid spending your funds on returned mail, you need to perform a data cleanup on your list on a regular basis. 

Non-Profit Standard Mail (Non-Profit Marketing Mail)

USPS has prepared a special offer for non-profit organizations, allowing them to send Marketing Mail at lower prices. Interestingly, they can save up to 70% of First-Class Mail by sending communications using this solution.

However, keep in mind that these postage prices are valid for domestic mail only, and the delivery times are the same as in the case of regular Marketing Mail. So as to apply for this service, the non-profit organization needs to be authorized by USPS.

Priority Mail

With Priority Mail, you can send heavier parcels than with First-Class Mail - they can weigh up to 70 lbs in the case of domestic shipments. They can not only be heavier but also larger, so it is an excellent option when you need to send something of greater weight and size. 

Moreover, Priority Mail can be a better option if you need prompt delivery. Compared to First-Class Mail, this solution is significantly faster, as it typically takes just 1-3 business days to reach its final destination. You can also stay up-to-date with the delivery progress as your mail receives a dedicated tracking number, allowing you to check its location online anytime you like.

Another important feature of Priority Mail is that it includes insurance coverage. In this way, if your parcel becomes lost or damaged in transit, you can get proper compensation. There is no default coverage in First-Class Mail, but there is a possibility to buy additional coverage through the USPS or through third-party providers (both in the case of First-Class Mail and Priority Mail).

Priority Mail Express

Priority Mail Express works on very similar principles as the regular Priority Mail, but it adds more express options. Interestingly, there are many destinations with money-back guaranteed overnight delivery or at least two-day delivery (including weekends and holidays).

However, keep in mind that it is much more expensive than First-Class Mail, so it is most recommended to use it in emergency situations when an item must truly be delivered as soon as possible.

Private Carriers

When you compare First-Class Mail with private carriers, such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx, you will notice quite many differences. First, they offer a wide variety of services, including same-day delivery, specialized freight services, or comprehensive international shipping solutions. There are always quite a few distinct service tiers adjusted to various needs, providing, for example, overnight, express, ground or freight delivery.

On the other hand, when the prices of private carriers are compared to those of First-Class Mail, you will see that the latter is a much more economical option. For this reason, if you are not in a hurry and your item is not highly valuable, First-Class Mail can prove much more beneficial than FedEx, DHL, or UPS.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, First-Class Mail is a great solution for companies that need to send something of low priority and importance because it is reliable yet inexpensive compared to other postal services. Apart from mailing less significant documents, you can use it for sending out promotional materials, for example. 

Here at Taradel, we will help you to choose the best postal services for your next marketing campaign. No matter if you want it to be aimed at consumers or businesses, our platform will be amazingly helpful in reaching your advertising goals and making your brand more recognizable. Reach out to us for more information!