USPS First-Class Mail® service is the most cost-effective way for business owners and organizations to send envelopes and lightweight packages anywhere in the United States. It is the postal service most people are familiar with; in fact, some refer to it as "regular mail."

Most proprietors use USPS First-Class Mail to send personal or business correspondence, letters, invoices, standard postcards, flats, and lightweight packages. Hence why they think of it as "regular mail". If your mail item weighs 13 ounces or less, you can send it using USPS First-Class Mail.

Delivery time for this domestic mail postal service is usually between 1-5 business days. For smaller packages, the speed of delivery is 1-3 business days—note, however, that neither one of these First-Class Mail delivery times is guaranteed by USPS. For urgent shipments, consider Priority Mail®, which offers faster delivery options.

• USPS First-Class Mail is the most affordable option for sending documents and lightweight items within the United States. You can get the latest postage rates by visiting the USPS website or your local post office.
• Whether you’re sending your item across town or the country, the USPS First-Class Mail service costs the same.
• USPS First-Class Mail Forever® stamps can be purchased at post offices nationwide. These stamps never expire, even if the rate for First-Class Mail postage increases. In other words, your postage price remains fixed.
• For larger and non-urgent shipments, explore the benefits of USPS Ground Advantage™ for ground shipping options with competitive pricing.

There are two other types of First Class Mail services. Here are their uses and features.

USPS First-Class Mail International

USPS First-Class Mail International® postal service is the cost-effective solution for sending postcards and letters weighing up to 3.5 ounces and large envelopes (flats) with a maximum weight of up to 15.994 ounces from the United States to one of 180 international destinations.

You only need a single Global Forever stamp to send an international mail piece using USPS First Class Mail International. Best of all, these stamps never expire. They can be used anytime, even if the postal rates increase.

Mail delivery times for this service vary depending on the destination.

USPS First-Class Package International Service

This first-class package service provides affordable shipping for packages that weigh under 4 pounds and are valued at up to $400. USPS First Class Package International® service delivers to 180 countries.

The delivery speed for this first-class package service varies depending on the destination.

Enhancing Your Mailing Strategy with USPS Services

For businesses looking to expand their mailing strategy beyond the basics offered by First-Class Mail, there are several options:

• Priority Mail®: When your shipping needs demand quicker delivery, Priority Mail offers a speedy solution with a variety of service levels, including overnight delivery with Priority Mail Express®.
• USPS Ground Advantage™: This service is tailored for shippers looking for an economical ground shipping solution. It's perfect for less time-sensitive packages, providing a balance between cost and delivery time.
• USPS Marketing Mail®: For companies aiming to reach out to customers through advertising and promotional materials, USPS Marketing Mail offers an efficient way to conduct direct mail campaigns.
• USPS Periodicals Class Mail: Publishers and distributors of periodicals can benefit from specialized rates and conditions, making it easier to manage the distribution of magazines, newsletters, and similar publications.

One of the ways to ensure a business is profitable is to be as cost-efficient as possible without compromising the quality of managing your business and serving your customers. With First-Class Mail, First-Class Mail International, and First-Class Package International, USPS provides businesses with three dependable and economical options. Each one of these affordable solutions makes conducting everyday business tasks simple and cost-effective.