USPS Ground Advantage™ service is a simple, affordable way to ship documents and items. It represents the amalgamation of 3 USPS services: USPS Retail Ground®, USPS Parcel Select Ground®, and USPS First-Class Package®.

With USPS Ground Advantage service, your business has a cost-efficient, reliable way to ship packages to all 50 states, US military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.

Delivery time

Delivery time for USPS Ground Advantage is between 2–5 business days. If you’re sending a package to Alaska, Hawaii, somewhere offshore, or if the package contains hazardous materials or live animals, delivery may take longer.

Weight limits

Packages from 1 oz. up to 70 lbs. can be shipped using USPS Ground Advantage service.

The cost of shipping a package with USPS Ground Advantage is determined by the item's weight, size, shape, and the distance it will be delivered.

There are various price tiers based on the size of your package. They break down like this:

• Tier 1: packages up to 4 oz.
• Tier 2: packages up to 8 oz.
• Tier 3: packages up to 12 oz.
• Tier 4: packages up to 15.999 oz.

If your package weighs over 15.999 oz., you’ll pay a pound-rate price for postage.

If your package exceeds one cubic foot in volume, you can pay for the postage based on its weight or dimensional weight.

What is dimensional weight? It’s when the weight of a package is determined by measuring the box's height, width, length, and girth.

Sometimes, the cost of mailing a package based on dimensional weight will be less than if you were to base the postage on the package's actual weight.

You can use the USPS® Price Calculator Tool to calculate the postage cost for USPS Ground Advantage service. All you need to know is your package’s weight, shape, and size measurements.

If your business or organization will be sending out a lot of packages using USPS Ground Advantage service, you can pay less than the retail price by becoming a commercial customer with USPS. You must get a mailing permit and pay an annual fee to qualify. Visit the USPS website for all the details on qualifying for commercial rates.

There are a few ways USPS Ground Advantage service provides convenience for business customers.

• Postage can be paid with stamps, at a self-service kiosk, Click-N-Ship® service, or at a USPS post office.
• USPS will pick-up your package from your home or office for free.
• Real-time, online tracking is included so that you can check on the delivery progress of your package at any time.
• If it turns out your package is undeliverable as addressed and is returned to the sender, there is no additional charge.

When you send your package via USPS Ground Advantage service, $100 in insurance coverage is included. This protects the contents of your package in case it is damaged, lost, or stolen during delivery. If you require insurance of a larger amount, USPS offers up to $5,000 in coverage for an additional charge.

Some hazardous materials (HAZMAT) can be shipped using USPS Ground Advantage service. To do so, you must follow all the necessary rules and regulations. To review these and what hazardous materials are permitted to be shipped by USPS Ground Advantage service, visit the Domestic Shipping Prohibitions, Restrictions, & HAZMAT page on the USPS website.

Packaging is not included with USPS Ground Advantage service. You can use a box that you have in your home or office or purchase one from USPS, a stationery store, or an online retailer.

Here is a simplified summary of the steps you must follow to ship your item using the USPS Ground Advantage service.

Step 1: Pick your packaging, i.e., a padded envelope, box, or tube.

Step 2: Place your item in the package. If your item can move inside the package, add some packing material, like bubble wrap or crumpled paper, to take up the space and provide protection.

Step 3: Include the “TO” and “FROM” information on a card inside the box. This is in case the label falls off while your package is in transit.

Step 4: Use packing tape to seal the package along the folds and edges.

Step 5: Write the “TO” name and address on the long side of the package.

Step 6: On the long side of the package, above and to the left of the “TO” name and address, write the “FROM” name and address.

Step 7: Weigh your package on a household scale or measure your package (the height, width, length, and girth of the box). Write the measurements down. Enter the measurement(s) into the online USPS Postage Calculator to determine how much it will cost to ship your package.

Step 8: Purchase your postage.

Step 9: Place the correct postage in the top right-hand corner of your package above the “TO” information.

Step 10: Ship your package. You can do this 1 of 3 ways:

• Place the parcel in your mailbox.
• Take it to the post office.
• Request a free pickup.

USPS Ground Advantage provides businesses and organizations a reliable, cost-effective, and convenient shipping solution. With delivery between 2-5 business days, transparent pricing, and a simple shipping process, it’s tailor-made for a wide variety of everyday shipping scenarios.