What class of mail should I choose?

POST BY CHRISTINA IANDOLO When you are scheduling your mailing you are presented with a choice of several classes of mail. Here is a brief look at the pros and cons of each.

First-Class Mail

Choose First-Class for time-sensitive mail that you need to have delivered between 2 and 4 days after it is presented to the Post Office. (USPS delivery times are not guaranteed but First-Class Mail typically is delivered in 1 to 4 days of acceptance at a Post Office.)

First-Class Mail is required for bills, statements of account or invoices, personal correspondence, personalized business correspondence, and all matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.

Standard Mail & Nonprofit Mail

Choose Standard Mail for printed matter that you can allow 9 to 12 days to be delivered. Generally speaking, Standard Mail covers anything that is mailable, but which is not required to be mailed as First-Class--flyers, circulars, advertising, newsletters, bulletins, catalogs and so on. (USPS delivery times are not guaranteed but Standard Mail is typically delivered within 9 to 12 days of acceptance at a Post Office.)

Nonprofit mail is also Standard Mail, but at a special rate. You must be registered as a nonprofit organization to use this option. For more information see How do I qualify for nonprofit mailing?

International Mail

All mail to International addresses is automatically sent by USPS International Priority Mail. You are charged a per-piece First Class International postage rate that is based on the weight of your mail piece.

Certified Mail

Certified Mail provides a number for tracking delivery and an online record of the delivery status. All Certified Mail is posted at First-Class Mail rates and includes a Certified Mail fee. When you do not require a Return Receipt for documents use a Certified Mail Letter, a Certified Mail Flat or a Certified Mail Self-Mailer.

Certified Mail provides you with a tracking number to track the delivery of your mail to your recipient(s), and access to an online record of the delivery status of your mail. When Certified Mail is delivered by USPS, your Click2Mail account will display a delivered status for each article delivered.

For an additional charge, you can request a Certified Mail Return Receipt. The Return Receipt is a green postcard that is attached to your letter, signed by the recipient upon delivery, and returned to you as proof of delivery of your article.

For an additional charge over the Return Receipt option, Certified Mail also offers a Restricted Delivery option. Restricted Delivery allows you to restrict delivery of your mail piece to a specific person--or to an agent of that person, who is authorized in writing to sign for your intended recipient.

For more information see What is Certified Mail, and how does it work?

Christina Iandolo is a Click2Mail Customer Service Representative who recently completed a course of study to become a USPS Certified Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC) Specialist. Contact