The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a delivery time change for Priority Mail Express.

Currently, Priority Mail Express has two guaranteed delivery times within the 1-2 business-day service standards:
– Option #1: 12 Noon or 3 p.m. (depending on originating zip code and delivery address)
– Option #2: 10:30 a.m. (in select locations, for an extra $5 fee)

The USPS is proposing to eliminate the 10:30 am delivery time and will be adjusting the regular Priority Mail Express delivery from 12 noon/3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the designated delivery day.

If the Postal Regulatory Commission approves the change, starting Sunday, May 23, 2021 all Priority Mail Express packages will be delivered by 6 p.m. regardless of the originating zip code and delivery address.

The shipping price for Priority Mail Express will not change with this delivery time adjustment.

Get more information on Priority Mail Express.

If you need your packages delivered overnight, Priority Mail Express is a great option!  The mail service provides the fastest delivery offered by the U.S. Postal Service with delivery occurring 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  The USPS also offers a money-back guarantee if your package is not delivered on time.

The Money-Back Guarantee
Unlike First Class Mail or Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express has a money-back guarantee if your mailpiece is not delivered by the promised time.  The money-back guarantee is contingent on a number of factors including the package drop-off time as well as the origin and destination zip codes.   You can access specific guaranteed times here: http://postcalc.usps.com/ServiceCommitments.aspx.

How do I get a refund on late Priority Express Mail?
So what happens if your mailpiece is not delivered by the specific commitment time?  The USPS handles delivery of your mailpiece, so even if the postage on your mailpiece is printed via the Stamps.com platform, the USPS will be responsible for the refund.

For domestic mail, if your Priority Mail Express item is not delivered by the guaranteed time, please visit your local Post Office no later than 30 days from the date the item was mailed.  Before you go, please take with you a copy of the receipt from your Print History.

If you’re logging into the Stamps.com software, click on “Search” on the left side of your software screen and click on the info box (i) that corresponds to the label/tracking number in the Print History.  Click on “Print” to generate a physical copy of your receipt.

If you’re logging into Stamps.com Online, click on the “History” tab at the top of your screen and select “Search Print History.”  After that, the instructions are the same as for the Stamps.com software.

At the Post Office, the window clerk will ask you to complete PS Form 3533 (Refund for Postage).  Please be aware that the form is not available online.  Once your claim is verified by the clerk, your claim will be paid by cash or money order.

How do I get a refund on late Priority Express Mail for international mail?
For international mail, a money-back guarantee is currently available for Priority Mail Express International items sent to the following countries:

• Australia,
• Canada,
• China,
• France (does not include Corsica and Monaco),
• Germany,
• Hong Kong,
• Israel,
• Japan,
• New Zealand,
• Singapore,
• South Korea,
• Spain (does not include the Canary Islands),
• Sweden,
• Switzerland,
• Thailand,
• United Kingdom.

You can initiate a request for a postage refund with the USPS no later than 30 days from the date of mailing by calling 1-800-222-1811 or by going to the International Claims Inquiry Page at https://www.usps.com/ship/file-international-claims.htm.

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.

The U.S. Postal Service is making operational changes to select shipping services starting Sunday, July 28, 2013.  The changes being made include the following:

IMPORTANT! USPS postage rates are NOT INCREASING on Sunday, July 28, 2013 – these changes are operational only!!!

Express Mail Renamed to Priority Mail Express
Express Mail is being renamed Priority Mail Express and Express Mail International is being renamed Priority Mail Express International. USPS research shows that having two shipping product names is confusing to customers, and so the USPS will simplify everything under the Priority Mail brand name.

Example of the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Box

Delivery service for Priority Mail Express will remain the same (overnight for domestic, 3-5 day for international).  Also, older Express Mail boxes can still be used with the newly named Priority Mail Express through January 2014.

Estimated Delivery Date Included on Priority Mail Shipping Labels
The USPS will be printing the estimated delivery date on all Priority Mail shipping labels. The date will be displayed at the top of the shipping label in bold text and will contain either “Priority Mail 1-Day,” “Priority Mail 2-Day” or “Priority Mail 3-Day.”

This is only an estimated delivery date and package shippers will not be able to choose a date-specific delivery service for Priority Mail.  Delivery dates will be determined by where you’re shipping your package from and where you’re sending it.

Example of new Priority Mail shipping label. Note the "Priority Mail 1-Day" in the top section, and the Carrier Route Code next to the delivery address.

Additionally, Priority Mail labels will now include a four-digit Carrier Route Code to help speed up package delivery.  The four-digit code will be printed just to the right of the delivery address.

Electronic Delivery Confirmation Now Available to 14 Countries
Along with Canada (added in January 2013), the USPS will be adding Electronic Delivery Confirmation to 13 additional countries for First Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes.  This service will be available for no additional cost.

New countries offering Electronic Delivery Confirmation include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.

Package Insurance is Being Added to Priority Mail
Priority Mail is now going to include $50 of insurance for FREE if you print postage online (Commercial Base Pricing).  If you are approved for Commercial Plus Pricing, you will receive $100 of insurance coverage. This insurance coverage is provided automatically by the USPS and claims will be to protect shippers against loss, damage or missing contents.

Stamps.com Will Automatically Update on July 28, 2013
As a Stamps.com customer, you will not need to do anything — the Stamps.com software and website will automatically be updated with all necessary changes for this USPS update.