Small Business Mailing Solutions
USPS Express Mail
If you are using the United States Postal Service to send packages, Express Mail is the fastest service for time-sensitive letters, documents or merchandise. When you send mail using Express Mail, you get guaranteed overnight delivery to most locations or your money back.
Many business owners are not aware that the United States Postal Service provides overnight mail and package delivery.
In some cases, it's much cheaper to ship packages overnight with USPS than with traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS.
The service is called Express Mail, and it provides overnight delivery to most destinations 365 days a year - even Sundays and holidays. In contrast to some overnight carriers, USPS has no Saturday delivery charges, no residential surcharges, and no fuel surcharges. Moreover, you get package tracking information that allows you to track the package to its final destination and make sure it is delivered.
Whereas many overnight delivery services will not deliver to mailboxes or P.O. boxes, USPS Express Mail can handle that, no problem.
Express Mail Prices
How much does USPS Express Mail cost? Well to give you an example, you can get an Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope for $18.30. It's the same price regardless of weight and distance, allowing you to affordably mail everything you can stuff into the 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope.
By some estimates, USPS is 30% cheaper than going with UPS or even FedEx. However, many assert that UPS and FedEx are more reliable.
Tracking Express Mail
To track Express Mail, all you need is the Label or Receipt Number. With that in hand, you can track an Express Mail package using the USPS Express Mail Tracking Service.
Reasons to Use USPS Express Mail
There are some who are willing to pay extra to send packages via UPS or FedEx because they feel that those brands convey a more elite status than sending packages overnight via USPS Express Mail. Small business owners, however, need to watch their pennies. For them, USPS Express Mail offers a reliable overnight shipping method that is more cost effective than the alternatives.
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Have you used USPS Express Mail to send packages overnight within the United States? How did it go? We welcome all comments, questions and advice regarding Express Mail.