CALCURATES BLOG

Calcurates Guide on Shipping With USPS for Ecommerce

Feb 2021
Image of a man USPS shipping
Image of Nikolay Pasholok
Nikolay Pasholok
Product Owner, Calcurates

What are the USPS Domestic Shipping Options?

USPS offers many domestic shipping options for mail and package deliveries. The great advantage is that you can use the USPS Click-N-Ship® to print a shipping label at home, and even schedule USPS pick-up from home or office.

Currently, USPS is offering these domestic shipping services:
  • priority mail express
  • priority mail
  • USPS retail ground
  • media mail
  • first-class mail
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USPS First Class vs Priority Mail

When analyzing usps first class vs priority mail, it’s clear that USPS First Class Mail is used for shipping letters, envelopes, and lightweight packages, while USPS Priority Mail is for top priority shipments that need to be shipped quickly. The services are not comparable, as First Class focuses on shipping and Priority Mail on faster delivery.

Priority Mail is quicker and the weight limit is 70 lbs. Thus it is also more expensive. Packages under 16 oz should be shipped via First Class Mail, anything over 16 oz should be shipped with Priority Mail.
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What is Click-N-Ship®?

Click-N-Ship is the USPS shipping service, and understanding proper USPS click-n-ship setup allows you to ship directly from home using Priority Mail® or Priority Mail Express® supplies for convenient and fast delivery management.
How does Click-N-Ship work?
Order Click-N-Ship, print shipping labels, and schedule package pickup online. To USPS schedule pickup, all you need to do is to fill out the pickup address.

What are the USPS International Shipping Options?

USPS offers a wide range of international shipping services depending on postage prices, delivery times, shipping destination, tracking service, and more.

The main USPS international shipping services are global express guaranteed, priority mail express international, priority mail international, first-class mail international, first-class package international service, airmail M-bags.
Check out how to track a USPS package with and without a tracking number, directly at the post office and through the website.
Calcurates Related Features

What are USPS Delivery Options?

Informed delivery
The USPS informed delivery tool is a free home delivery service that lets you digitally manage your upcoming mail and packages, making organization and tracking more efficient. Informed Delivery purely informs customers about their scheduled delivery. To track packages, create an account, and verify your identity.

Hold for Pickup
The USPS hold for pickup service is a delivery option that allows a receiver to pick up the package directly at the Post Office or another convenient location when needed. You can use the USPS post office locator to search for available pick-up locations.

Premium Forwarding Service Residential®
A great option for anyone planning a long-term vacation or relocating abroad. Forward Mail service forwards your mail from your home address to your new temporary address. For a weekly fee, mail can be sent to you starting from a period of at least 2 weeks up to 1 whole year.
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How Long Do Deliveries With USPS Take?

USPS domestic delivery service takes anywhere from 1 to 8 days. Domestic shipping services cost from $3 to $27.

USPS international deliveries take on average from 1 to 10 days, and knowing detailed USPS international delivery times helps plan accurate shipping costs and schedules, as the starting price is $1.20 and can be up to $61.70.

Does USPS Deliver on Weekends?

Yes, USPS delivers on weekends, and according to usps weekend shipping availability data, only a limited number of services are available for weekend delivery, including First Class and Priority Mail Express. First Class Mail delivers on Saturdays only. Priority Mail Express delivers both on Saturday and Sunday.

What Are the USPS Small Business Solutions?

USPS offers tools and services tailored to the needs of small businesses; by joining the usps loyalty program for small business, owners can benefit from Click-N-Ship®, marketing and advertising support, and even free shipping supplies. For more info visit USPS small business official site.

How Does USPS Compare to FedEx and UPS?

When you compare USPS vs FedEx vs UPS, each carrier has its own advantages and disadvantages, though USPS is generally regarded as the most affordable option with many drop-off points and reliable coverage. USPS is reporting an unprecedented increase in volume due to the impact of pandemics. To see the advantages and disadvantages of USPS vs USP vs FedEx have a look here.

How to Integrate USPS on Magento 2 & WooCommerce With Calcurates?

  1. Request USPS carrier in your Calcurates account
  2. Complete the USPS integration with Magento 2 by connecting USPS with Calcurates using your USPS account credentials for seamless synchronization of rates and labels.
  3. Synchronize services and packages that are available for your USPS account
  4. Create a shipping option with a connected USPS carrier
  5. Enable certain USPS packages and services you want to display at checkout
  6. Start displaying real-time USPS shipping rates at checkout for selected USPS services to provide accurate cost estimates and improve the customer checkout experience.
  7. Generate USPS shipping labels and get tracking numbers right in your Magento (this step is not applicable for WooCommerce e-commerces yet)

FAQ

USPS offers versatile shipping methods like First-Class Mail for lightweight items and Priority Mail for faster deliveries up to 70 lbs. E-commerce stores benefit from affordable pricing, wide delivery coverage, and convenient tools like Click-N-Ship®.
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