Types of First-Class Mail®

Types of First-Class Mail® First-Class Mail® service is the least expensive, most immediate options for mailing postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats) to retail customers at retail pricing. Commercial pricing, which is discounted from retail pricing, is available as First-Class Mail service for customers with large volumes of mail and who invest time preparing and sorting mail.

• Signing a customer commitment agreement.
• Different prices are available for cards, letters, and flats compatible with different standards. To qualify for lower rates, mailpieces must meet specific presorting, addressing, barcoding, and design standards.
• For additional information on Commercial Mail, see:
  • Business Shipping - Rates, Discounts, Services ( https://www.usps.com/business/business-shipping.htm )
  • Business Solutions with USPS® - The Basics

  Estimated delivery time is one (1) to five (5) days (not including Sundays and postal holidays ) for First-Class Mail, and begins on the date postmarked. In some instances, such as a short distance between the sender's and recipient's ZIP Codes™, delivery can possibly occur in one day.

  First-Class Mail (retail and commercial) items are sealed against inspection.

  First-Class Mail (retail) is:

  • Not a guaranteed service. Delivery by a specific date or at a specific time is not available.
  • Not eligible for postage refunds. Exceptions are if no service is rendered or if the amount collected was more than the lawful price.

  

  USPS Tracking® and Other Extra Services

  Can I track a First-Class Mail® item?

  No. First-Class Mail does not include USPS Tracking®.

  Although First-Class Mail postcards, letters, and flats are not eligible for USPS Tracking, those items are eligible for other extra services that provide barcodes for scanning. These extra services can be purchased, providing some tracking information. See " What Domestic Mail Extra Services are Available? " for a list of all extra services and what mail classes are eligible.

  
  What can I do if my First-Class Mail item has not arrived?

  If the expected item has not arrived after five (5) days from its date of mailing, you can document your mail loss complaint by emailing us . If your mailpiece is located, it will be returned to you.

  First-Class Mail does not include insurance against loss, damage, or missing contents. These items are eligible for extra services that can be purchased to provide insurance.

  

  Basic Pricing for First-Class Mail® Service

  First-Class Mail Postcard

  First-Class Mail Letter

  First-Class Mail Flat (Large Envelope)

  The price of a First-Class Mail item varies depending on the:

  To determine the price of your specific First-Class Mail item, go to the Postage Price Calculator . The Business Price Calculator is available to determine prices for First-Class Mail Commercial.

  

  Weight and Size Standards for First-Class Mail®

  First-Class Mail Postcards

  ➢ Price is less than a one-ounce letter. Uses a Postcard stamp.

  • Minimum Size: 3½ inches by 5 inches
  • Maximum Size: 4¼ inches by 6 inches
  • Thickness: 0.007 inch to 0.016 inch

  ➢ Pieces that do not meet the minimum dimensions are nonmailable

  ➢ Postcards exceeding the size requirements are subject to letter-size pricing

  ➢ Price is less than a one-ounce letter. Uses a Postcard stamp.

  • Minimum Size: 3½ inches by 5 inches
  • Maximum Size: 6 inches by 9 inches
  • Minimum Thickness:
    • Postcards up to 4¼ inches by 6 inches: 0.007 inches
    • Postcards more than either 4¼ inches high or 6 inches long: 0.009 inches

    First-Class Mail Letters ​​​

    ➢ Price paid on a per ounce basis – based on the First-Class Mail stamp price

    • Maximum Weight: 3.5 ounces – Additional ounces above one ounce have a separate per ounce price
    • Minimum Size: 3½ inches by 5 inches
    • Maximum Size: 6⅛ inches by 11½ inches
    • Thickness: 0.009 inch to ¼ inch

    ➢ Pieces that do not meet the minimum dimensions are nonmailable.

    ➢ Letters that do not meet certain size and shape requirements may also be charged a separate Nonmachinable Surcharge .

    ➢ Pieces that exceed the maximum dimensions or weight are priced as Flat (Large Envelope) mailpiece.

    ➢ Price paid on a per ounce basis

    • Maximum Weight: 3.5 ounces – Additional ounces above one ounce have a separate per ounce price

    ➢ Size Requirements for Machinable First-Class Mail Letters:

    • Minimum Size: 3½ inches by 5 inches
    • Maximum Size: 6⅛ inches by 11½ inches
    • Thickness: 0.007 inch to ¼ inch

    First-Class Mail Metered Mail

    ➢ A price category for First-Class Mail letters that applies when metered postage (such as PC Postage) is affixed. This does not include regular stamps, such as postage purchased through a self-service kiosk. In addition:

    • Retail Metered Mail must also be single-piece.

    ➢ Commercial Metered Mail (for commercial mailers):

    • Prices would apply to residual pieces from automation or presorted FCM letter mailings, presented in letter trays.
    • Does not have a minimum volume (except for the minimum 200 pieces needed for permit imprint).

    ➢ When you are depositing Commercial Metered Mail, you do not need a minimum number of pieces for the nonpresorted portion when those residual pieces:

    • Are part of a permit imprint mailing for an automation or presorted mailing, and
    • Are claimed on the same postage statement as the primary mailing.

    First-Class Mail Flats (Large Envelopes) ​​​

    ➢ Price paid on a per ounce basis – based on the price of a First-Class Mail stamp

    • Maximum weight: 13 ounces – Additional ounces above one ounce have a separate per ounce price
    • Flats that are for the round-trip mailings of a disc and that weigh up to 2 ounces can be mailed at the postage price of a 1 ounce Flat. Round-trip mailing of a disc is mailing, under specific criteria, from a mailer who expects to receive the disc back from a subscriber.
    • Large Envelopes (Flats) that exceed 13 ounces are mailed at the Priority Mail® rate
    • Minimum Size: 6⅛ inches by 11½ inches
    • Maximum Size: 12 inches by 15 inches
    • Thickness: ¼ inch to ¾ inch

    ➢ Pieces that exceed any of the maximum dimensions or are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick are charged and shipped as USPS Ground Advantage parcels.

    ➢ Price paid on a per ounce basis

    • Maximum weight: 13 ounces – Additional ounces above one ounce have a separate per ounce price
    • Minimum Size: 6⅛ inches by 11½ inches
    • Maximum Size: 12 inches by 15 inches
    • Thickness: ¼ inch to ¾ inch