For single boxes, USPS is often the cheapest option. For large light boxes, USPS Priority Mail will be cheapest. For heavy large boxes or shipments of multiple boxes, consolidated freight is one of the most cost-effective shipping methods.
Pieces going to a domestic location may not measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined. USPS Retail Ground® mailpieces are an exception; they may not measure more than 130 inches in length and girth combined.
The USPS charges extra for Oversized Packages. If you are shipping a package using Parcel Select and the Length (longest side) + 2 * Width + 2 * Height is greater than 108″, Select Oversized Package in the Mailpiece dropdown menu to ensure correct postage is calculated.
Parcel Select (wt. not over) | Zones 1 & 2 | Zone 6 |
---|---|---|
12 lb | $12.40 | $33.54 |
13 lb | $13.07 | $35.55 |
14 lb | $13.77 | $37.60 |
15 lb | $14.32 | $39.40 |
Box size | Flat rate price |
---|---|
Medium box (13 ⅝” x 11 ⅞” x 11” or 11” x 8 ½” x 5 ½”) | $15.05 |
Large box (23 11/16” x 11 ¾” x 12” or 12” x 12” x 5 ½”) | $21.10 |
UPS and FedEx package shipping costs are about the same, but UPS flat rate pricing is slightly cheaper than FedEx. For variable pricing, FedEx generally starts out slightly cheaper but can be more expensive for larger, heavier shipments or for packages that will travel a longer distance.
Free Supplies8 | Shipping Price |
---|---|
Medium Flat Rate Box — 2 (side-loading) | $13.75 Commercial Base $15.50 at Post Office & Online |
Large Flat Rate Box | $19.30 Commercial Base $21.90 at Post Office & Online |
APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Box | $17.80 Commercial Base $20.40 at Post Office & Online |
The U.S. Postal Service provides free package pickup from your home or office at a time and place that’s convenient for you. And follow the prompts. It’s free, regardless of the number of packages you’re sending. Your letter carrier will pick up your package when your regular mail is delivered.
USPS. A 50 lb box can be shipped via USPS using either flat rate or variably priced services. The best option depends on how fast you need your package to arrive. With delivery in 1-3 business days, USPS Priority Mail Flat rate shipping is typically the cheapest way to ship a 50 lb box.
Weight Tiers | FedEx Ground | FedEx Standard Overnight |
---|---|---|
71-80 lbs | $46 | $260 |
81-90 lbs | $49 | $280 |
91-100 lbs | $52 | $315 |
101-110 lbs | $55 | $350 |
Priority Mail Express: overnight
Packages under 70 pounds ship starting at $22.50, but that’s the price for the flat rate shipping envelope, so it only goes up from there. If your item is heavy and can be squeezed into the flat rate envelope, this will be the cheapest option for you.
Weight | Priority | First |
---|---|---|
1 lb. / 15.999 oz | $7.16 | — |
2 lb. | $7.79 | — |
3 lb. | $8.00 | — |
4 lb. | $8.10 | — |
Carrier/Shipment Type | Price |
---|---|
10 lb. package | |
UPS Ground | $28.52 |
Flat-rate shipping (UPS Simple Rate) | |
UPS Ground |
UPS is often more expensive than USPS due to fees and surcharges, especially when it comes to shipping smaller packages. Generally, USPS offers much better rates when shipping smaller packages less than two lbs., though UPS typically is a better choice when shipping larger, heavier packages by offering superior value.
– $13.40 per each package in a UPS Hundredweight Service shipment for UPS Next Day Air®, UPS Next Day Air Saver®, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.®, UPS 2nd Day Air®, UPS 3 Day Select® and UPS® Ground shipment. Maximum of $91.00 per shipment.
With the exception of UPS Ground with Freight Pricing packages, Large Packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 90 pounds (40 kgs). An Additional Handling charge will not be assessed when a Large Package Surcharge is applied.
If we compare FedEx and UPS Ground services, UPS is typically faster than FedEx. One of the possible reasons for this is that UPS has a larger fleet of trucks in the USA and, therefore, is able to process and reach several locations faster than FedEx.
Delivery commitment5 | 3rd day by 4:30 p.m.6 | Next day by 3 p.m.6 |
---|---|---|
FedEx® Small Box | $9.95 | $36.30 |
FedEx® Medium Box | $12.95 | $40.05 |
FedEx® Large Box | $20.00 | $47.45 |
FedEx® Extra Large Box | $32.35 | $53.85 |
Because there are enough customers willing to pay for it. Almost all of FedEx’s customers are businesses where the person using it is not paying for the service out of their own pocket. FedEx has the best record on overnight delivery because it costs so much.
The maximum size for most mailpieces is 108 inches in combined length and girth. USPS Retail Ground pieces may measure up to 130 inches in combined length and girth (but will be charged oversized prices). Regardless of the size of the mailpiece, the maximum mailable weight of any mailpiece is 70 pounds.
While Medium and Large Flat Rate boxes may be free, using your own packaging is often CHEAPER than shipping Priority Mail Flat rate, thanks to a “secret” USPS mail class called Priority Mail Cubic.
Can You Use Any Box To Ship USPS First Class? You can use any box to ship USPS First Class, provided your item meets the 15.999-ounce weight limit. First Class package shipping is really only for small, light boxes – if you want to send something heavier/bigger, you’ll have to choose a different shipping service.
The quickest way is to drop the letter in the post office branch which hosts the carrier route for your landlord. They might have a drop box for ‘your ZIP only’. If not, ask. The letter will get hand cancelled (or manually machined) and go straight to the carrier’s section.
If you know they are scheduled to pick up the package, you can leave it out for them with a note that says something like “UPS return” on it. (But only if you feel it is safe to leave it there and not get stolen.)
Should You Send Outgoing Mail from Your Mailbox? Briefly, no. If you are sending checks, bill payments, or anything with sensitive information that can be used for identity theft, we always recommend bringing it to a blue USPS collection mailbox or directly to the post office.
How much does USPS shipping cost per pound? USPS packages cost about $2.74 if less than one pound; if one pound or more, most packages start at $7. USPS rates for packages heavier than one pound typically increase by 10 to 25 cents for each pound added.
Packages can be up to 150 lbs. Packages can be up to 108 inches long. Packages above certain size and weight combinations may require freight shipping services.
Postage price of the item is based on the actual weight or the calculated dimensional weight, whichever is greater. Dimensional weight may apply to: USPS Retail Ground (excluding Limited Overland Routes parcels)
Just weigh the package and use a shipping cost calculator to get a shipping price. If the parcel is small but heavy, get a shipping cost based on dimensional volume which might be cheaper. Remember that when calculating postage by weight, use the total weight of the package and not the weight of the product itself.
For packages over 150 lbs, you’ll need FedEx Express Freight or FedEx Freight. 3 day, 2 day, 1 day, and overnight delivery is available with FedEx Freight services.
Which is cheaper: UPS, USPS, or FedEx? Out of the three major carriers, USPS is typically the cheapest option. After that, UPS comes in at a close second, and FedEx ranks as the most expensive (yet arguably most reliable) carrier.
Both companies offer similar, time-sensitive services at very similar rates. However, FedEx’s rates are cheaper than UPS for domestic city-to-city shipping.
USPS shipping costs are calculated based on weight and distance traveled. Packages weighing less than one pound start at $2.74 via USPS First Class Package Service. If your package weighs one pound, you’ll want to use USPS Priority Mail which starts at $7.02 with Shippo’s special Cubic pricing.
Rank 2019 | Company | Revenue (000) |
---|---|---|
Rank 2019 1 | UPS Inc. | 58,035,000 |
2019 2 | FedEx Corp. | 57,428,000 |
2019 3 | Purolator | 1,078,043 |
2019 4 | OnTrac Inc. | 562,000 est |
For shipping packages less than two lbs., USPS is usually cheaper than FedEx. When it comes to shipping parcels greater than two lbs., FedEx can be more cost-effective than USPS, offering cheaper rates. However, if you can fit your item into a small, medium or large flat rate shipping box, USPS is cheaper than FedEx.
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