FAQs to Help Understand USPS Priority Mail Changes
As of Sunday, July 28, the USPS has made some significant changes to Priority Mail. These changes DO NOT include any postage rate increases — they are operational changes only.
We’ve listed some FAQs below:
#1 Has the delivery service changed for Priority Mail? I now see “Priority Mail 1-Day,” “Priority Mail 2-Day” or “Priority Mail 3-Day” listed on the label.
Delivery service for Priority Mail is exactly the same as before — 1 to 3 day delivery. Keep in mind that Priority Mail is not a guaranteed date-specific delivery service. Since most Priority Mail packages are delivered within 2 days, the USPS has added estimated delivery dates on the shipping label to help communication between the shipper and the package recipient. Delivery date estimates are based on where the package is being shipped from and where it is being delivered to.
#2 Can I choose 1, 2, or 3-day delivery for Priority Mail?
No, you will not be able to choose 1, 2 or 3-day delivery. The scheduled delivery date will be automatically determined by the zip code your package is being shipped from and the zip code where the package is being sent to. If you need overnight delivery, you can use Priority Mail Express (formerly called Express Mail), which provides overnight delivery to most addresses in the U.S.
#3 Does Priority Mail now include insurance?
Yes, Priority Mail now includes package insurance. You will receive $50 of coverage if you print your labels online through an approved PC Postage vendor that offers Commercial Base Pricing (such as Stamps.com). If you are approved for Commercial Plus Pricing, you will receive $100 of free coverage.
#4 How do I know how much insurance I receive with my Priority Mail package?
By default, Stamps.com prints all shipping rates using postage discounts known as Commercial Base Pricing. Rates for Commercial Base Pricing includes rate discounts for the following mail classes:
- Priority Mail Express: Save up to 63% off retail rates on all Priority Mail Express shipments.
- Priority Mail: Save up to 20% of retail rates on all Priority Mail shipments, depending on weight and distance.
- First Class Package Service: Save up to 18% off retail rates on all First Class Parcels.
- International Shipping: Save up to 9% on Priority Mail International shipments, up to 10% for Priority Mail Express International and up to 10% on First Class Package International Service.
Commercial Plus Pricing is a program offered by the USPS that provides highly discounted postage rates for high volume shippers that meet a required number of shipments annually. For Priority Mail, the minimum number of shipments starts at 75,000.
#5 What is Priority Mail Express?
Express Mail was renamed Priority Mail Express on July 28, 2013. Also, Express Mail International has been renamed Priority Mail Express International. Other then the name change, the Priority Mail Express service remains exactly the same as Express Mail.
The reason for the name change was due to USPS research showing that customers often got confused between Priority Mail and Express Mail. So the USPS changed Express Mail to Priority Mail Express, bringing everything under the Priority Mail brand umbrella.
#6 I still have old Express Mail boxes. Can I still use them to ship my packages?
Yes, you can still use your Express Mail boxes through January 2014. The USPS will be introducing new packaging for Priority Express Mail in the coming weeks, but the old boxes will work with Priority Mail Express.