Classes of Mail

The Postal Service divides mail into different services, called "classes." Each class of mail has different features, service levels, postage prices, and presort requirements.

For most of your mailings, the content of the material and postage will determine the class of mail you select. To learn more about each class of mail—including what can be mailed, the minimum and maximum weights and sizes, and the number of pieces needed for commercial prices—just click on the name of the class of mail. Not sure which class of mail is right for your mailing? Look at the matrix below to determine what class of mail best matches your priorities.

If you are unsure about what class your mailpiece will—or should—be, contact your Business Mail Entry Unit for advice.

1. Priority Mail Express: Anything mailable, letters, merchandise.
2. Priority Mail:Anything mailable, bills, invoices, personal correspondence, merchandise.
3. First-Class Mail: Anything mailable, bills, invoices, personal correspondence, merchandise.
4. Periodicals: Newsletters, magazines; (formal authorization needed).
5. USPS Marketing Mail: Advertisements, circulars, newsletters, small parcels, merchandise.
6. Package Services and USPS Retail Ground: Merchandise, catalogs, printed material, computer media.

   Class of Mail	Speed	Low Cost	Free Forwarding and Return	Extra Services	Incentives
   Priority Mail Express	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
   Priority Mail	Yes	Some options, yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
   First-Class Mail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
   USPS Marketing Mail	No	Yes	No	Only for parcels	Yes
   Periodicals	Yes	Yes, for In-Country	Free Forwarding for 60 days	No	Yes
   Package Services/USPS Retail Ground	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

7. Price List - Notice 123
8. Business Calculator - Compute prices for all commercial mail.