Established in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General, the United States Postal Service has delivered letters and packages nationwide for nearly 250 years. With more than 100 billion items delivered each year, the USPS is still one of the largest shipping organizations in the United States.
Since fulfillment costs account for 8.7% of the average ecommerce brand’s yearly expenses, finding affordable shipping solutions can have a significant impact on your company’s bottom line. Thankfully, the USPS offers various shipping services you can consider, including USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Priority Mail. Learn more about the differences between these mail service offerings to decide which option is best for your business.
4 USPS mail services
There are four primary USPS services to consider:
1. USPS Ground Advantage. Launched in 2023 to replace USPS Retail Ground and USPS Parcel Select, USPS Ground Advantage provides ground transportation for packages.
2. USPS Priority Mail. USPS Priority Mail primarily uses air transportation to deliver packages. Its delivery times are faster than Ground Advantage and First-Class package services.
3. USPS First-Class Mail. USPS First-Class Mail offers discounted shipping rates for envelopes, letters, and postcards.
4. USPS Media Mail. The United States Postal Service’s Media Mail service offers cheaper shipping prices for eligible educational materials like books, journals, CDs, and DVDs.
USPS Ground Advantage vs. Priority Mail: How do they compare?
USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Priority Mail both provide reliable delivery of packages across the United States. While Ground Advantage uses freight trucks and trains, Priority Mail uses a combination of air and ground transportation, resulting in quicker shipping timeframes. Here are the key differences between the two services:
| USPS shipping method | USPS Ground Advantage | USPS Priority Mail |
| Price | USPS Ground Advantage pricing depends on package weight and the shipping destination. For example, a four-ounce package with a destination that’s one zone away (within 50 miles of the sender’s ZIP code) costs $5.25, whereas a 70-pound package that will go from coast to coast in the United States (a zone eight shipment) would cost $172.05. | USPS Priority Mail uses a flat-rate pricing model, meaning distance doesn’t impact rates, as long as the package is under 70 pounds. Unlike other shipping methods, you must use USPS-specific packaging, ranging $8.75 for an envelope to $9.30 for a small box to $23.95 for a large box. |
| Delivery time | The USPS Ground Advantage service has a delivery timeframe of two to five business days. | USPS Priority Mail boasts a quicker delivery speed than USPS Ground Advantage, with packages typically arriving at their destination within one to three business days (including Saturdays). For even more urgent shipments, USPS Priority Mail Express offers next-day to two-day delivery by 6 p.m. with a money-back guarantee for late deliveries. |
| Weight range | USPS Ground Advantage packages can range in weight from one ounce up to 70 pounds, with a maximum size of 130 inches in combined length and circumference. | USPS Priority Mail offers flat-rate envelopes and boxes that range in weight and size, from 12.5 inches for the smallest envelope to over 24 by 11 inches for a larger box. Like USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail packages can weigh up to 70 pounds. |
| Destination | USPS Ground Advantage is a domestic shipping service that operates in all 50 states, territories, possessions, Freely Associated States, and US military bases. | Since USPS Priority Mail uses ground and air transportation, it offers delivery services for domestic shipments as well as international shipments to over 180 countries, including Canada, India, and Australia. |
| Insurance and tracking | USPS Ground Advantage includes up to $100 of insurance coverage and USPS tracking with real-time updates on the status of deliveries. | USPS Priority Mail offers $50 in coverage for retail packages and $100 for commercial packages. It uses the same USPS shipping software to track deliveries as USPS Ground Advantage. |
| Returns | The United States Postal Service offers USPS Ground Advantage Return, a program that allows companies to print return labels for $1.55 per label and cover the cost of returns for customers. USPS Ground Advantage Return typically delivers packages within two to five business days with rates starting at $3.91 for commercial shipping. | USPS Priority Mail Return allows merchants to pay for return labels and ship returns within one to three days. Along with a $1.55 fee per printed label, USPS Priority Mail Return commercial rates begin at $7.99. |
Advantages of Ground Advantage
USPS Ground Advantage is a good option for ecommerce merchants shipping lighter-weight items, especially if they are shipping to nearby areas.
Package size range
The USPS Ground Advantage service allows shippers to send packages as small and light as one ounce. Ecommerce merchants selling extra small products like handmade crafts can ship their items in a small envelope or poly mailer at a lower cost than a small flat-rate envelope or box from USPS Priority Mail.
Additionally, USPS Ground Advantage allows large packages up to 130 inches in combined length and girth, whereas USPS Priority Mail only allows a maximum package size of 108 inches in combined length and circumference.
Insurance
Since the USPS Ground Advantage shipping program automatically includes $100 of coverage for all sent packages, it can offer ecommerce merchants a reliable method for shipping products. In the rare case of loss or damage, you can file a claim up to 60 days from the mailing date. For additional insurance, USPS Ground Advantage offers shippers the option to purchase additional insurance coverage up to $5,000 in coverage against loss or damage.
Dangerous goods
USPS Ground Advantage is the United States Postal Service’s primary shipping option for some dangerous goods and hazardous materials (HAZMAT)—such as lithium batteries, paint thinners, and fragrances—since those materials cannot travel by air. There are specific ways you must pack dangerous goods to ensure your packages abide by any and all of the USPS’s shipping restrictions.
Advantages of Priority Mail
USPS Priority Mail comes with its own set of benefits for ecommerce merchants to consider:
Fast delivery
Customer expectations about delivery timelines continue to increase, with one 2023 survey reporting that most online customers expect to receive their orders within two days. Since USPS Priority Mail service processes packages quickly and uses a combination of air and ground transportation, it offers ecommerce merchants a reliable method for prompt product delivery.
Flat-rate pricing
Although USPS Priority Mail generally involves higher shipping costs than USPS Ground Advantage, it does include a simple flat-rate fee structure that can make it easy to calculate costs based on the number of packages you plan to send. Additionally, if you’re sending heavier packages to customers over thousands of miles, the flat-rate pricing model can potentially save you money, since USPS Priority Mail prices do not increase based on delivery destination or weight—as long as you’re using a USPS flat-rate envelope or box weighing 70 pounds or less.
Free supplies
The USPS Priority Mail program provides shippers with free supplies (like envelopes, boxes, and labels) for no additional cost outside of the flat-rate price. The USPS offers a range of specific supply options, including padded envelopes, tube boxes, and large board game boxes. If you’re starting a new business, USPS Priority Mail can make the shipping process slightly easier by taking care of the supplies, which you can pick up at a post office on an as-needed basis during business hours.
USPS Ground Advantage vs. Priority Mail FAQ
Is Ground Advantage or Priority Mail better?
It depends on your goals—USPS Priority Mail is a faster shipping option, while USPS Ground Advantage is typically more cost-effective.
How long do USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail take to deliver?
USPS Ground Advantage typically takes between two to five business days, while Priority Mail typically takes between one to three business days.
Can I use my own box for USPS Ground Advantage?
Yes, you can use your own box for USPS Ground Advantage.
