Every day, over 460 million packages are shipped out across the US. Whether you're an individual, a small business sending out eCommerce products, or a large corporation it's important to streamline the way that you mail shipments.
Knowing the difference between Certified Mail® and Registered Mail® is the first step in choosing the best option when sending out your parcels. Read on to learn more about this distinction. As well as, how to choose the right shipping method for your needs.
The Basics of Certified Mail
People have been sending mail through the United States Postal Service (USPS) for hundreds of years. In 1955, Certified Mail became the norm in America, and it predated Registered Mail.
Certified Mail lets the sender put things through the first-class post. The main draw of Certified Mail is that the sender is provided with proof of receipt from the Post Office. Not only that, but senders get a mailing slip and electronic verification to show that the package was both shipped and delivered.
USPS also offers additional services that users can choose to customize their Certified Mail selection.
A popular addition is Certified Mail Restricted Delivery, which only lets the individual on the package sign for the mail piece. This is perfect for sensitive letters or private packages.
Another option is Return Receipt Electronic which is used to provide proof of letter delivery by providing the sender with a copy of the recipient’s signature. You also can send Certified Mail Adult Signature Required that a 21+-year-old person needs to sign in order to receive the mailing.
Pros and Cons to Certified Mail
There are many advantages to Certified Mail:
- You can get an online account to create shipping labels on your computer for convenience and time-saving
- Certified Mail Labels provides users with a complimentary data archive for 10 years (The USPS will only keep your Certified Mail records for 2 years)
- Automatic processing means that the package will arrive sooner
- You can get a return receipt for proof of delivery
- You'll still be able to track the location even if you don't see every manual step
There are also a few downsides:
- It can be stressful to send really expensive or precious objects in the mail
- You can only buy insurance up to $5,000
As you can see, there are way more pros than cons. However, some people do choose Registered Mail, because it offers a few unique advantages.
How Is Registered Mail Different?
Registered Mail is the most secure USPS mail service. Making it a bit more secure than Certified mail. Instead of just telling you when the package gets to its destination, you'll get location updates all throughout the shipping process.
Instead of going through automatic processing at each step, it's going to be processed completely manually. You'll get online updates as postal employees perform this processing. If you like, you can also set up text alerts on your smartphone to see when the parcel moves.
You can also pay for Registered Mail Restricted Delivery. This requires that the individual recipient whose name is on the parcel is the one to receive it. The delivery will require a signature for the item to be dropped off.
Are There Similarities with Certified Mail?
There are several ways that Registered and Certified Mail are alike. They are both secure ways of getting a package to its correct destination. Both offer tracking in some capacity.
You also can get insurance on both forms of shipping. You will need to declare the full value of the parcel when you add the insurance.
Note that you're going to need to pay a bit more than usual for insurance. Luckily, it's usually a worthwhile investment if you're sending out expensive items. This is especially true for businesses looking to inspire and keep customer loyalty.
Benefits and Downsides of Registered Mail
There are some benefits of Registered Mail:
- You'll always be aware of the package's location
- You can keep customers and other recipients informed at all times
- You can get insurance up to $50,000, rather than $5,000
There are also a few disadvantages:
- Manual processing means slow package delivery
- It's more expensive
- There aren't as many different types of Registered Mail/add-ons as Certified Mail can provide
The bottom line is that you'll need to consider what you're sending and how much it costs. Its value will likely be the determining factor behind your shipping method.
Certified Mail vs Registered Mail: Which Is Right for You?
Most people prefer Certified Mail. It is generally fine for most snail mail purposes. It's much faster, because of quick and automated processing.
The recipient will have it in their hands sooner. This is especially important for businesses, since speedy shipping increases customer satisfaction. It's also important to note that Certified Mail is less expensive, so you'll save money on shipping, too.
Especially when you send your Certified Mail pieces using Certified Mail Labels. Create USPS Certified Mail® labels, Priority Mail labels, and Express Mail labels with USPS Postage online from the comfort of your home or office. Skip the trip to the Post Office and save $2.45 on postage for each Certified Mail® green card receipt.
Start saving time and money with Certified Mail Labels today. Click here to learn more or get started now!
The main use for Registered Mail is sending expensive parcels. If something has an extremely high value, you're going to want more in-depth tracking. Real-time alerts during processing can help to give both you and the recipient peace of mind. You can also insure more expensive packages, so it's a win/win for shipping out costly items.
Get Started
Now that you know the difference between Certified Mail vs Registered Mail, it's time to start sending your parcels to recipients all across the US (and the world).
Certified Mail Labels is committed to helping you create Certified Mail shipping labels online, so you don't need to worry about Post Office lines, paperwork, and postage meters. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you or your small business.
