Overview
1.0 Prices and Fees
2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Priority Mail Express
3.0 Content Standards for Priority Mail Express
4.0 Service Features of Priority Mail Express
Except for Flat Rate Packaging (see 1.3), Priority Mail Express postage is charged for each addressed piece according to its weight and zone. The 0.5-pound price is charged for items up to 0.5 pound and items over 0.50 pound are rounded up to the next whole pound. For example, if a piece weighs 0.25 pound, the weight (postage) increment is 0.50 pound. Express all weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places.
See Notice 123—Price List for applicable Priority Mail Express retail prices.
Postage for parcels addressed for delivery to Zones 1-9 and exceeding 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), whichever is greater.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular parcel:
- Measure the length, width, and height in inches. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a nonrectangular parcel:
- Measure the length, width, and height in inches at their extreme dimensions. Round off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch.
- Multiply the length by the width by the height.
- Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
- If the final result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide the result by 166 and round up (see 604.7.0) to the next whole number to determine the dimensional weight in pounds.
- If the dimensional weight exceeds 70 pounds, the customer pays the 70-pound price.
Only USPS-produced Flat Rate Envelopes are eligible for the Flat Rate price and are charged a flat rate, regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) of the mailpiece or domestic destination. Customers must only use USPS-produced Flat Rate Envelopes at the applicable Flat Rate Envelope price. USPS-produced packaging, including Flat Rate containers, is not eligible for shipping live animals.
Delivery guaranteed for a Sunday or holiday is charged a premium fee (see Notice 123—Price List), unless paying via a Priority Mail Express Manifesting Agreement. Customers not desiring delivery on a Sunday or a holiday may avoid the premium by opting for guaranteed delivery on the subsequent delivery day.
1.6 [1-9-22] Nonstandard Fees (Effective April 3, 2022)
The following provisions apply:
- A Priority Mail Express piece is subject to a nonstandard fee (see Notice 123—Price List) if it measures:
- More than 22 inches up to 30 inches long;
- More that measures more than 30 inches long; or
- More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches).
- Cube dimensions are determined based on the following:
- Rectangular pieces: Determined by measuring the length, width, and height in inches, rounding off (see 604.7.0) each measurement to the nearest whole inch, and multiplying the length by the width by the height.
- Nonrectangular pieces: Calculated the same as above and the result multiplied by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
- If either calculation above exceeds 3,456 cubic inches, the piece is subject to the nonstandard fee.
- A piece may be subject to both a length and a cube nonstandard fee.
Priority Mail Express is an expedited service for shipping any mailable matter, with a money-back guarantee, subject to the standards below. Refunds standards for domestic Priority Mail Express are provided in 604.9.5. Priority Mail Express International is available between the United States and most foreign countries (see the International Mail Manual).
Priority Mail Express matter is closed against postal inspection.
All mailable matter may be sent via Priority Mail Express, except matter prohibited by standards (e.g., certain hazardous materials). Items mailed containing cremated remains in their original form (ashes) and any other form (e.g., keepsakes and jewelry) must be sent via Priority Mail Express. (See Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, section 451.22.)
A mailing receipt showing the time and date of mailing must be provided to the mailer on acceptance of Priority Mail Express by the USPS. This receipt is a copy of the multipart Priority Mail Express label affixed to the mailpiece and serves as evidence of mailing. A delivery record, including the addressee’s signature (see 115.2.2 and 115.2.3), will be provided upon request. Customers may access proof of delivery information for Priority Mail Express as follows:
- Individual requests by article number can be retrieved at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-222-1811 and providing the article number. A proof of delivery letter (signature data) is provided electronically via email or signature extract file as provided in 4.1b.
- Bulk proof of delivery (503.1.8b.) is available to mailers using Priority Mail Express Manifesting.
Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery is available at designated USPS facilities for overnight service to designated 3-digit or 5-digit destination ZIP Code delivery areas. A Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery directory, showing detailed local information about Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery, is available at Post Offices. For an additional option, see 4.2.4.
Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the local Post Office acceptance time. Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery items mailed after the local Post Office acceptance time are scheduled for delivery on the second day after mailing, subject to the standards for this service.
Items are delivered by 6 p.m. on the next delivery day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified. A reminder notice is left on the third day after the attempted delivery. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request.
Except for Priority Mail Express mailpieces containing cremated remains, under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.2 are available for pickup by the addressee at the destination facility by 6 p.m. of the next day that the destination office is open for retail business.
Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery is available to any destination not listed in the Priority Mail Express 1-Day Delivery directory mentioned in 4.2.1. For an additional option, see 4.3.4.
Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery items must be presented no later than the local Post Office acceptance time. Priority Mail Express 2-Day Delivery items mailed after the local Post Office acceptance time are scheduled for delivery on the third day after mailing, subject to the standards for this service.
Items are delivered by 6 p.m. on the second delivery day. If delivery is not made, the addressee is notified. A reminder notice is left on the third day after the attempted delivery. A second delivery is attempted only upon customer request.
Except for Priority Mail Express mailpieces containing cremated remains, under Hold for Pickup service, items presented under 4.3 are available for pickup by the addressee at the destination facility by 6 p.m. of the second delivery day that the destination office is open for retail business.
Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) is available between the United States and designated APO/FPO and DPOs to provide Department of Defense personnel stationed overseas, and others entitled to APO/FPO and DPO mailing privileges, an expedited delivery service to or from the United States. For PMEMS standards see 703.2.0.
