USPS Express Mail
What is Express Mail?
USPS Express Mail is a guaranteed way to send documents and packages to a destination overnight or in one to two days on any day of the year, including Sundays and holidays. If the US Postal Service doesn't deliver your package on time, they will refund the full delivery cost to you. Items under 70 pounds can be sent through Express Mail to any address in the United States. Express Mail comes with up to $100 in insurance and delivery tracking for free.
USPS is the only overnight shipping carrier that is allowed to deliver packages to a P.O. Box address. Other carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, are not able to deliver packages to mailboxes in the Post Office.
USPS uses zone-based pricing for Express Mail. There are 8 zones in the United States. Prices are based on the distance from the original package location to the delivery destination. Prices start at $13.05 through USPS and $12.40 for Stamps.com customers. Additional fees apply for packages that must arrive on Sundays or holidays.
Preparing Packages for Express Mail
Express Mail must be marked with pre-printed stickers or boxes from USPS to ensure that they arrive at their final destination quickly. USPS offers free Express Mail Flat Rate envelopes and boxes which bear the Express Mail symbols, which you can order for free through the Stamps.com Store. You also can order free Express Mail stickers, which you can place on your own packaging.
If using your own packaging, the USPS requires you to fill out Form 11-B, which is an Express Mail carbon-copy address form. After you fill it out, stick it to the center of the top side of your package. The postage label should be placed in the upper right corner of that side.
You can legally send small envelopes through Express Mail, but it's not recommended because the required form is often larger than the envelope and can become separated during delivery. Instead, drop the little letter into a larger pre-printed Express Mail envelope to ensure that your item arrives safely.
Example of free Express Mail Envelope Available from USPS
Additionally, you can add other USPS services such as COD service and Return Receipt for your Express Mail parcel.
Stamps.com Shipping Discounts – Get 5% Off Express Mail Retail Rates.
5% Off Express Mail Rates: Stamps.com customer can enjoy great discounted rates on Express Mail that are not available at the Post Office or through a postage meter. As a Stamps.com customer, you'll get a 5 percent discount off retail rates for Express Mail shipping.
Free Package Pick-up: If you don't feel like going to the Post Office, you can set up a free package pickup at your home or office by a USPS carrier through Stamps.com. The software makes it easy for you to schedule a free carrier pick-up of your Express Mail package with just a few clicks.
Easy Zone-Based Pricing: With the USPS utilizing zone-based pricing for Express Mail, determining what zone your delivery location is located in and what shipping price to pay can be complex. The Stamps.com software automatically determines the correct zone-based pricing for your package by instantly accessing the USPS database, preventing you from ever overpaying or underpaying the shipping fee.
Every new customer account starts with:
- $5 in free postage to use in trial period
- Free 5lb digital scale*
- Free Supplies Kit including postage labels
- Additional $10 postage coupons to use after trial
- $25 in postage
- Free digital scale ($50 value)*
- $5 supplies kit
- 4-week trial
* Just pay S&H
Savings Calculator
Whether you go to the Post Office or use a Postage meter, Stamps.com will save you money. Find out how much.
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