USPS First Class vs Priority
One difference between USPS first class and priority is the duration it takes to deliver an item. USPS is an acronym that stands for United States Postal Services, and this is one organization that is providing service to millions of people in the country by ensuring fast and efficient delivery of their letters, envelopes, and parcels. While First Class is the entry level service, Priority is a rung above First Class and has a system of delivery that is faster than First Class; in most of the cases, delivery of parcels does take place in 1-3 days, though there is no guarantee. This feature makes Priority a bit more expensive than First Class. However, there are many more differences between First Class and Priority that will be discussed in this article.
What is Priority Mail?
While there are some similarities in weight restrictions, and sizes of envelops and parcels, the very fact of knowing that a person’s letter or parcel will be delivered in a matter of 1-3 days across most of the destinations inside the country if you choose priority mail is a relief for most. However, there have been instances when even after booking their mails in Priority mail service, delivery did not take place even after a week. So, if you have no qualms about your letter or parcel reaching its destination in 4-5 days (that is, you do not run a home based business), it is better to stick to First Class as it is cheaper. You get a return receipt with priority mail. Priority mail comes with limited insurance. This priority mail allows insurance cover up to $ 50. However, this is only for certain items and for certain destinations only.
What is First Class Mail?
First class mail delivers within 2-3 days. You will see that first class mail delivers to almost all places, barring Hawaii and Alaska. However, when it comes to prices first class is much cheaper as the prices begin at $ 0.49. In fact, for local addresses it has been found that mails reach within a day when booked through First Class. Then why pay more and get delivery after 1-3 days when one can have delivery the next day at lower prices?
When it comes to the return receipt that receipt is not available in case of first class mails. If you need it you have to have insurance and comply with certain restrictions.
What is the difference between USPS First Class and Priority?
For sending mails, letters or parcels locally or up to a distance of 600 miles, it is better to make use of First Class rather than Priority as it has been seen that delivery takes place in a day or two. To send envelopes or parcels to farther states, ensuring faster delivery within 1-3 days, it is better to go with Priority mail service, though it does not give any guarantee of delivery within 1-3 days. First class mail does not apply to states like Hawaii and Alaska, so do not make use of first class mail if sending parcels to any of these two states.
• Duration:
• First class mail delivers an item within 2 – 3 days.
• Priority mail takes 1 to 3 days to deliver an item.
• Insurance:
One major point of differentiation between express and priority mail pertains to compensation through insurance.
• For first class mail you can add insurance as an option if you want to. Usually it does not come naturally.
• Priority mail comes with limited insurance. This priority mail allows insurance cover up to $ 50. However, this is only for certain items and for certain destinations only.
• Cost:
The difference that pinches most to people is the price difference between first class and priority mails.
• First class mail starts from $ 0.49 at retail.
• You can send letters or other documents starting from $ 5.60 if you choose priority mail. Priority also has flat rate pricing.
• Weight:
• First class only allows 13 ounces.
• Priority mail allows 70 pounds.
• Receipt:
Another point of difference between First Class and Priority mail is the return receipt.
• An official receipt is not available in case of first class mails. If you need it you have to have insurance and comply with certain restrictions.
• One gets an official receipt with Priority mail with details of receiving the packet printed on it.
Images Courtesy:
- A US Postal Service mailbox in New York City by (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- USPS Truck in Winter, Lexington Massachusetts by John Phelan (CC BY 3.0)
