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Classes of Mail

The Postal Service divides mail into different services, called "classes." Each class of mail has different features, service levels, postage prices, and presort requirements.

For most of your mailings, the content of the material and postage will determine the class of mail you select. To learn more about each class of mail—including what can be mailed, the minimum and maximum weights and sizes, and the number of pieces needed for commercial prices—just click on the name of the class of mail. Not sure which class of mail is right for your mailing? Look at the matrix below to determine what class of mail best matches your priorities.

If you are unsure about what class your mailpiece will—or should—be, contact your local business mail entry unit[1] for advice.

Price List - Notice 123 (PDF)[2]

Business Calculator[3] – Compute rates for all discount mail.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader[4]

Express Mail[5]: Anything mailable, letters, merchandise.

First-Class Mail[6] (including Priority Mail[7]): Anything mailable, bills, invoices, personal correspondence, merchandise.

Periodicals[8]: Newsletters, magazines.

Standard Mail[9]: Advertisements, circulars, newsletters, magazines, small parcels, merchandise. Must weigh less than 16 ounces.

Package Services[10]: Merchandise, catalogs, printed material, computer media.

 Class of Mail  Speed  Low Cost  Free Forwarding and Return Special Services   Incentives
 Express Mail  Yes  No  Yes  Yes  Yes
 Priority Mail  Yes  Maybe  Yes  Yes  Yes
 First-Class Mail  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes
 Standard Mail  No  Yes  No  Only for parcels  Yes
 Periodicals Yes Maybe Free Forwarding No Yes
 Package Services  No  Yes  No  Yes  Yes



Table of Links
  1. http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-bme.html
  2. http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf
  3. http://dbcalc.usps.gov/
  4. http://www.usps.com/common/transparent_exit_page.htm?url=http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html&title=Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
  5. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/express.htm
  6. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/firstClass.htm
  7. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/priority.htm
  8. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/periodicals.htm
  9. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/standard.htm
  10. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/packageServices.htm