The United States Postal Service (USPS) gets more than 10 million visitors per day. As one of the largest institutions in the United States, people rely on USPS for business and personal shipments.
Budgeting, whether personally or professionally, is important. Especially in today’s economy. Mailing and the associated expenses are no exception. Considering the cost of your mailing allows you to plan and find the most efficient option for your needs.
While Certified Mail® is a numbered service of USPS, did you know that you aren’t limited to the Postal Service when sending Certified Mail? Create USPS Certified Mail® labels, Priority Mail labels, and Express Mail labels with USPS Postage online with Certified Mail Labels.
Creating labels with Certified Mail Labels allows you to save $2.75 on postage for each Certified Mail labels, while skipping the trip to the Post Office completely.
What Is Certified Mail?
First, let’s cover exactly what Certified Mail is and what it entails. Certified Mail is a type of USPS mail that provides the sender with a receipt record once the recipient receives the mail. The recipient is required to sign for the letter to confirm its receipt.
Each year, American’s send over 200 million pieces of Certified Mail. Benefits of Certified Mail include:
- More security with your mailing
- Peace of mind knowing that your mailing went from Point A to Point B
- Transparency when you're doing business
- The knowledge that your mail is in professional hands
- An excellent way to mail time-sensitive packages
There is an additional cost to send letters with USPS Certified Mail postage versus basic First-Class Mail®. However, the benefits greatly justify the cost. Especially, when you save $2.75 per label with Certified Mail Labels.
What Goes Into the USPS Certified Mail Cost?
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) periodically approves U.S. Postal Service rate increases. The last rate increase went into effect in January 2024. To view a full list of USPS service costs, click here.
The current USPS Certified Mail rate is $4.40. Up slightly from $4.35 prior to the latest rate increase. To send a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail letter with a Return Receipt (old-fashion Green Card) is $8.69. Comparatively, a Certified Mail Label with Electronic Delivery Confirmation through Certified Mail Labels is just $5.94. A savings of $2.75 for the same service.
These are the baseline fees for Certified Mail. Additional fees apply for Return Receipt Requested and Receipt Signature with Restricted Delivery.
Here are some key points to consider when pricing your mailings:
The Weight of Your Package
Make sure that you consider the weight of your package before sending it. USPS charges $8.69 for a 1-ounce certified mail letter.
The cost increases with each ounce. Here is what to expect for USPS postage rates based on the weight:
- 2-ounce cost $1.63, which is up from $1.59 from the previous year's rate
- 3-ounce cost $1.87, which is up from $1.83 from the previous year's rate
- 4-ounce cost $2.11, which is up from $2.07 from the previous year's rate
- 5-ounce cost $2.35, which is up from $2.31 from the previous year's rate
- 6-ounce cost $2.59, which is up from $2.55 from the previous year's rate
- 7-ounce cost $2.83, which is up from $2.79 from the previous year's rate
- 8-ounce cost $3.07, which is up from $3.03 from the previous year's rate
Unlike with other online mailing services, Certified Mail Labels does not require a postage meter, a scale, or other special equipment. There are no monthly fees, minimums, software, or contracts associated with Certified Mail Labels.
The Time of Travel
It is wise to consider the expected delivery time when choosing the shipping option that best fits your needs. When you choose Certified Mail, you can expect your shipment to arrive to its destination within 2 to 5 business days. The time of travel is dependent on the zip code and zone that you are sending from and the location of its destination.
Certified Mail Labels provides senders with proof of mailing and letter tracking with Electronic Delivery Confirmation. Users also have access to a 24/7-365, complimentary 10-year data archive for excellent record keeping.
If you need your shipment to get to its destination quicker, you might consider Priority Mail. A quicker delivery time costs more to mail. So, consider your budget and timeline when selecting your postage and mail method.
If your Certified Mail piece does not reach its destination in a reasonable time, you may be entitled to a full or partial refund through USPS.
Additional Services and Fees
Finally, make sure that you investigate the different types of fees associated with additional services outside of the Certified Mail baseline rate. For example, Return Receipt Requested and Receipt Signature with Restricted Delivery cost more as they are an added service. Pay attention to these fees any time the rates increase so that you have a clear idea of how much you will pay.
This is especially important if you are a business owner or work in an industry that requires Certified Mail for compliance purposes. Such industries include legal services, property management, towing, repossession, storage, certain government agencies, and many more.
Knowing you're shipping timeline, packaging your mail piece correctly, and properly addressing your Certified Mail will ensure prompt and correct delivery.
Send USPS Certified Mail
USPS Certified Mail is a safe and secure option and Certified Mail Labels is happy to help you with all your compliance mail needs.
For step-by-step instructions and details on how our services can save you time and money, click here or get started now! For specific questions or to learn more about our full-service mail options, contact our Florida based Customer Support Team today.
