It’s commonplace to think about a destination in miles. You usually have an idea of how far you’re traveling, even if it’s only by the number of cities and states you’ll pass through. Shipping a package follows the same principle. You are aware of the distance between you and your customer, but you might not be familiar with how shipping carriers, such as USPS, calculate this distance to determine your shipping expenses.

What are shipping zones?

USPS divides the US into shipping regions called zones, and this mileage is used to determine the cost of certain packages. Depending on the carrier service used, the distance your package will travel is then used to help determine your shipping costs. TL;DR: the further your package is traveling, the higher the shipping cost. The USPS services that use zones to determine cost include: 

• Priority Mail^®
• Priority Mail Express^®
• USPS Ground Advantage™

However, flat-rate package costs are not determined by USPS zones. Instead, flat-rate packages can be used for shipments up to 70 pounds and will be charged the same price per box size, regardless of the destination. 

What are the USPS shipping zones?

USPS has broken down the US into nine zones called Zone 1-9. These zones range from within 50 miles to 1801+ miles. Each zone and the mileage it covers can be found below. 

• Zone 1: Non-local destinations within 50 miles 
• Zone 2: Destinations within 51-150 mile radius 
• Zone 3: Destinations within 151-300 mile radius 
• Zone 4: Destinations within 301-600 mile radius 
• Zone 5: Destinations within 601-1000 mile radius 
• Zone 6: Destinations within 1001-1400 mile radius 
• Zone 7: Destinations within 1401-1800 mile radius 
• Zone 8: Destinations within 1801 mile radius or farther 
• Zone 9: Destinations within Freely Associated States/Zip codes assigned for exceptional network circumstances*

*This doesn’t apply when shipping to between the three-digit zip codes of 962-969.

Tips to avoid shipping adjustments 

Shipping adjustments are additional fees added to your shipping costs. These fees can range from entering incorrect shipping dimensions to using the incorrect packaging for a shipping service. When it comes to zones, adjustments and penalties can be given if a package isn’t shipped through your local post office. There’s also the risk of a package being incorrectly routed if an incorrect address is entered or the address is ineligible, and ultimately, the package can even be returned. Here are a few tips to avoid adjustments: 

• Weight and measure packages multiple times before inputting them
• Enter package dimensions for shipments to avoid being charged for the wrong zone 
• Utilize the free USPS Domestic Zone Chart to confirm the mileage shown is accurate
• Confirm addresses for all customers and recipients whenever possible and keep addresses legible 

How does Stamps.com help me with USPS zones?

Fortunately, Stamps.com merchants don’t need to memorize and manually enter zones because zones are automatically accounted for when a label is created. However, it’s crucial to find the best shipping rate for your package, especially when packages are traveling long distances. Whenever you create a label on Stamps.com, simply select the Compare Rates and Services option from the Carrier drop-down menu. 

Once selected, you can browse rates through our rate advisor with three different categories: Cheapest, Recommended, and Fastest. The cheapest category filter lists the available rates and services from cheapest to most expensive. The recommended category shows the Stamps.com recommended shipping methods. And finally, the fastest category filters rates by the fastest available carrier rates. You can compare rates in real-time and find the best deal for your business, especially when it comes to long-distance shipping. 

Start your 30-day free trial at Stamps.com today!

Continuing with the annual rate increases that began in 2020, USPS has announced its proposed Peak Season Temporary Rate Adjustments. The adjustments serve to cover extra holiday handling costs. In accordance with years prior, the following services will be impacted: Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and USPS Retail Ground rates. Pending favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Committee, the USPS Peak Season Temporary Rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on Oct. 2 and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central on Jan. 22, 2023.

Note: There are no planned rate adjustments on International Services, parcel return rates, or Parcel Select Lightweight rates.

2022 Holiday Shipping Rate Increases 

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express – 2022 Holiday Shipping Rate Increase (Commercial Base)

• Commercial:
  • $0.75 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes
  • $0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs
  • $0.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs
  • $0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs
  • $2.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs
  • $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs
  • $6.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

The most notable changes for the Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express rates from 2021 to 2022 are in Zones 5-9, with 26-70 pound shipments seeing a $1.50 increase over last year’s rate increase. 

First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, USPS Retail Ground – 2022 Holiday Shipping Rate Increase (Commercial Base) 

• Commercial:
  • $0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs
  • $0.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs
  • $0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs
  • $1.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs
  • $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs
  • $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

Similarly to the previous set of rates, the most notable changes for First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and USPS Retail Ground rates are found within Zones 1-9 for 26-70 pound shipments with a $.50 increase over last year’s rates. 

Save on shipping costs with Commercial USPS Rates and sign-up for a Stamps.com account today.

Here are answers to common questions regarding Stamps.com and the ability to print USPS postage:

Are USPS Services being removed from Stamps.com?
Absolutely not!  Nothing changes in Stamps.com services and features that we offer, including USPS postage printing.  Stamps.com will continue to operate as an officially licensed PC Postage vendor, and all USPS services will be available for our customers.

Will Stamps.com continue to offer USPS rate discounts?
Yes!  Stamps.com customers will be able to access all existing USPS rate discounts (Commercial Base Pricing) when they print postage.  And those discounts include access to the Metered Mail rate for First Class Mail letters – paying only $0.50 for a one-ounce letter vs. $0.55 at the Post Office.

USPS rate discounts that Stamps.com offers include:

USPS Shipping Rate Discounts

• Priority Mail Express® – Save up to 14% off Post Office rates on all Priority Mail Express shipments.
• Priority Mail® – Save up to 40% off Post Office rates on all Priority Mail shipments, depending on weight and distance.
• First Class Package Service – Save up to 28% off Post Office rates on all First Class Parcels.
• International Shipping – Save up to 5% on Priority Mail International shipments, up to 5% for Priority Mail Express International and up to 5% on First Class Package International Service.

USPS Mailing Rate Discounts

• First Class Mail Letter – Save five cents and pay only $0.50 for a one-ounce First Class Mail letter compared to $0.55 at the Post Office.

Can I still print labels for USPS First Class Package Service with Stamps.com?
Yes!  Nothing is changing to the Stamps.com service and USPS First Class Package Service will remain the best low cost shipping option for packages under 15.999 ounces among all shipping carriers.

Are any of the e-commerce integrations with marketplaces (eBay, Amazon, etc.) or shopping cart integrations (Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, etc.) going away from Stamps.com?
Nothing is changing – e-commerce sellers and online retailers will continue to be able to import their orders directly into Stamps.com to print USPS shipping labels.   See a full list of Stamps.com E-commerce Integrations.

Will there be any additional costs to use Stamps.com?
Most customers will see no change in costs to use Stamps.com.  For a limited group of high volume customers that have specialized negotiated rates with the USPS (also known as Negotiated Service Agreements or “NSA”), we will look at implementing surcharges as needed so that we are compensated for the technology and services we provide.

How does Stamps.com’s relationship with the USPS impact me as a customer?
For most customers, there will be no change to the Stamps.com product – the solution will continue to print USPS postage as it always has.  In the future, you may see additional shipping carriers as an option to print shipping labels.

Will the Stamps.com shipping API change?
The Stamps.com API is the #1 USPS postage API in the industry.  Customers will continue to be able to rate, ship, print and track USPS packages from our SOAP based web services API.  Get more info on our USPS Shipping API program.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!  On March 27, the USPS announced they will delay the implementation of the 2015 rate increase and classification changes scheduled to start on Sunday, April 26, 2015. USPS rates WILL NOT be changing on April 26, 2015.  

The U.S. Postal Service has announced a postage rate increase for select mail classes and services for 2015. The new postage rates will start on Sunday, April 26, 2015.

First Class Letters & Postcards
The cost to send a one ounce First Class Letter will NOT BE INCREASING and will remain $0.49. Additional ounces will cost $0.22, a one cent increase from 2014. Postcard rates will increase by one cent to $0.35, from $0.34 in 2014.

If you print postage online or use a postage meter, the “Metered Mail” rate for a one ounce First Class Letter will be increasing by $0.005 to $0.485 from $0.48. The Metered Mail rate is a discount provided to users who print postage online and through a postage meter.

Priority Mail Express
For Priority Mail Express packages, rates will NOT BE INCREASING in 2015.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes
For Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes and the Flat Rate Box, rates will NOT BE INCREASING in 2015.

Priority Mail
For Priority Mail packages, rates will NOT BE INCREASING in 2015. As a reminder, Priority Mail rates were reduced in September 2014. With 2 day delivery to over 90% of U.S. addresses and improved tracking, Priority Mail is a great shipping option for e-commerce sellers.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes
For Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes, rates will NOT BE INCREASING for 2015.

Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes
For Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes, rates will NOT BE INCREASING for 2015. Regional Rate Boxes provide shippers a low cost option for packages traveling shorter distances.

First Class Package Service
First Class Package Service will see an average increase of 5.1% in 2015. For packages that weigh 13 ounces or less, First Class Package Service remains the lowest cost option to ship a package to a U.S. address.

Parcel Select (nonpresort)
Prices for Parcel Select (nonpresort), the U.S. Postal Service’s ground shipping product, will increase an average of 9.8% in 2015. While the average rate is increasing, the USPS did lower Parcel Select prices in some shipping zones.  In Zones 1 to 4 for packages weighing between 6 lbs. through 24 lbs, rates are decreasing by as much as $9.35 per package (15 lb., Zone 4). There are no price increases for Zones 1 to 4 for packages weighing 25 lbs. through 70 lbs.

Media Mail
Media Mail rates will see an average increase of 6.2% in 2015. For books, videos and other products that qualify, Media Mail remains a great low cost shipping option.

First Class Letters & Postcards – International
The cost to send a one ounce First Class Letter to an international destination will increase five cents, to $1.20 from $1.15. Postcard rates will increase by five cents, to $1.20 from $1.15 in 2014.

First Class Package International Service
The overall increase for First Class Package International Service will be 7.2% in 2015.  The average price increases by pound are:

• Up to 1 lb. – Average increase of $0.66
• Up to 2 lbs. – Average increase of $1.29
• Up to  3 lbs. – Average increase of $1.65
• Up to 4 lbs. – Average increase of $2.01

First Class Package International Service remains the cheapest option among all carriers to ship internationally. It also includes tracking for the most popular countries including the U.K., Australia and Canada.

Priority Mail International
The overall increase for Priority Mail International will be 5.5% in 2015. Additionally, the USPS is introducing Zone-based pricing for Priority Mail International packages traveling to Canada. Canada will be split into 7 zones with rates ranging from $30.75 to $37.50 for a 1 lb. package.

Priority Mail Express International
The overall increase for Priority Mail Express International will be 6.7% in 2015.

Global Express Guaranteed
The overall increase for Global Express Guaranteed will be 7.2% in 2015.

Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on April 26, 2015
Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, April 26, 2015. If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will see the new USPS rates automatically.

Stamps.com recently compiled an infographic revealing new data on how UPS, FedEx and the USPS compare in package tracking events, delivery times and overall costs. Stamps.com staff shipped 144 packages to all eight shipping zones across the U.S. from three separate locations.

Below is the full infographic. Learn more about carrier tracking scans, speed of delivery and total shipping costs (including surcharges) by downloading the free Who’s Winning the Shipping War? white paper.

Can’t see the UPS vs. FedEx vs. the USPS infographic? View it here (use your browser zoom to enlarge).

If you’re looking for more interesting e-commerce shipping insight and data, Download the FREE white paper – Who’s Winning the Shipping War?

Download this infographic.