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What You'll Find in the USPS Shipping Information Guide

The USPS (United States Postal Service) offers a free informational guide that explains how their shipping services work. This guide covers the basics of mailing packages and letters through the postal system. It's designed for anyone who sends mail regularly—whether you run a small business, manage a retail store, or simply mail packages from home.

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The guide explains different shipping options available through USPS, including Priority Mail, First Class Package Service, Priority Mail Express, and Media Mail. Each section describes how these services differ in terms of delivery speed, cost, and what types of items can be sent. The information helps people understand which service might work best for their specific mailing needs.

You'll also find explanations about how to prepare packages correctly. This includes information about box sizes, weight limits, and addressing requirements. The guide explains why proper preparation matters—packages that aren't prepared correctly may be delayed or returned to the sender.

The guide contains information about tracking and insurance options. Users can learn how tracking works when they send packages and what insurance coverage means for their shipments. This helps people understand what happens to their mail after they hand it over to USPS.

One important section covers prohibited and restricted items. The guide lists what cannot be mailed through USPS and what requires special handling. For example, certain chemicals, liquids, and hazardous materials have specific rules about how they can be shipped, if at all.

Practical takeaway: Before using this guide, think about what you typically mail. Are you sending lightweight letters, heavy packages, or time-sensitive documents? Knowing your mailing habits helps you focus on the sections most relevant to your needs.

Understanding USPS Service Options and Delivery Times

USPS offers several different ways to send mail, and each has different delivery timeframes and costs. Priority Mail Express is the fastest option, typically delivering mail in 1-2 business days to most locations in the U.S. This service includes tracking and insurance as standard features. However, it costs more than other options. Businesses sending urgent documents or time-sensitive items often use this service.

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Priority Mail is a mid-speed option that usually takes 1-3 business days for delivery, depending on distance. It's faster than standard mail but less expensive than Priority Mail Express. According to USPS data, Priority Mail handles over 50 million pieces of mail each week, making it one of the most commonly used services. This service also includes tracking and insurance options.

First Class Package Service is designed for lightweight packages up to 70 pounds. Delivery typically takes 1-3 business days. This service costs less than Priority Mail but may take slightly longer. It's a good choice for small online retailers shipping products to customers, or for individuals mailing small gifts or documents.

Ground Advantage (formerly called Parcel Select Ground) is the slowest but least expensive option. Delivery can take 2-8 business days depending on distance. This service works well for heavy packages, bulk shipments, or non-urgent items. USPS statistics show that Ground Advantage handles millions of packages weekly, especially around holiday shopping seasons.

Media Mail is a specialized service for mailing books, educational materials, and similar items. It's the most affordable option but can take 2-8 business days for delivery. This service has weight limits and restrictions on what can be sent, which the guide explains in detail.

Practical takeaway: Match your mailing needs to the right service. If you need something delivered quickly and can afford higher costs, use Priority Mail Express. If cost matters more than speed and your items aren't time-sensitive, Ground Advantage may be the better choice.

How to Properly Prepare and Pack Your Shipments

Proper package preparation is critical for successful delivery through USPS. The guide explains that packages must have clear, correct addressing on the front. The address should include the recipient's full name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Handwritten addresses must be legible, and printed addresses work best when using standard fonts in black or dark blue ink.

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The return address should appear in the upper left corner of the package. This helps USPS return the package to the sender if delivery fails for any reason. Many people forget the return address, which can result in lost packages that cannot be returned. Including a return address is especially important for valuable items or packages being sent to unfamiliar addresses.

Box and envelope selection matters significantly. USPS sells Priority Mail flat-rate boxes and envelopes that allow you to ship items for a fixed price regardless of weight, within size and weight limits. These work well when you know the exact dimensions of your item. For packages of varying sizes, standard boxes work, but they must be sturdy enough to protect contents during transit. The guide recommends using boxes with at least double-wall construction for heavier items.

Packing materials inside the box are important too. The guide explains that items should not shift around inside packages. Using bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled newspaper creates cushioning that protects contents. For fragile items like glassware, this cushioning is essential. USPS handles millions of packages daily, and proper internal packing reduces the chance that contents will break during sorting and transport.

Weight and dimension restrictions vary by service type. The guide provides specific measurements for each service. For example, Priority Mail has a maximum weight of 70 pounds and no maximum size, but packages larger than 108 inches in length plus girth may have surcharges. First Class Package Service has a 70-pound limit. Understanding these limits prevents your package from being rejected or requiring additional payment.

Practical takeaway: Invest in quality boxes and packing materials. A package that's properly prepared and protected costs a small amount more upfront but avoids the expense and frustration of replacing damaged items or reshipments.

Tracking, Insurance, and Protecting Your Shipments

USPS tracking allows senders and recipients to see where packages are in the delivery process. When you send a package through Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, or First Class Package Service, tracking is included at no additional cost. You receive a tracking number when you create your shipment, either online or at the post office. This number can be entered on the USPS website to see real-time status updates.

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Tracking information shows when packages are processed at different facilities and when they've been delivered. According to USPS statistics, tracking helps reduce customer inquiries about package status—it gives both senders and recipients visibility into when items will arrive. For businesses that sell online, being able to provide customers with tracking numbers builds trust and reduces support requests.

Insurance options protect against loss or damage. The guide explains that USPS provides insurance coverage for packages that are lost or arrive damaged. However, coverage amounts vary by service type. Priority Mail includes automatic coverage for up to $100 at no extra cost. Additional insurance can be purchased for higher-value items. For example, if you're shipping a $500 item, you can buy additional insurance to cover the full value.

Signature confirmation is another protective feature described in the guide. This service requires the recipient to sign for the package, creating a record that it was actually delivered to the right person. This is useful when sending valuable items or important documents. The guide explains that signature confirmation costs extra but provides proof of delivery.

The guide also covers what makes items uninsurable. Certain items cannot be covered by USPS insurance, including cash, some jewelry, and items already damaged before shipping. Understanding these limitations helps you decide whether insurance is worth the cost for your particular shipment.

Practical takeaway: Use tracking for all shipments containing valuable items. It costs nothing and provides documentation of delivery. Consider purchasing additional insurance for items worth more than $100, especially when shipping to unfamiliar addresses.

Prohibited and Restricted Items You Cannot Mail

USPS has strict rules about what can and cannot be sent through the mail. These rules exist for safety reasons and to comply with federal law. The guide provides detailed lists of prohibited items—things that absolutely cannot be mailed under any circumstances. These include explosives, flammable liquids and solids, poisons, biological hazards, and radioactive materials. Attempting to mail these items can result in serious legal consequences.

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Hazardous materials have their own special rules. Some items that people commonly want to mail, like certain cleaning supplies