With its numerous international shipping options, USPS offers eCommerce merchants the opportunity to send their products to customers all across the world. Each of these international shipping services - including USPS Priority Mail International, USPS Priority Mail Express International, and USPS First Class International - all come with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Understanding their unique features can help you better understand which one may work best for your company when shipping globally. Let’s jump right in and examine them in detail!
USPS International Shipping: Examining the Options
USPS offers three major international shipping options that cover Canada, Mexico, and over 190 other countries. These unique international shipping services come with a variety of features to suit every business. Let’s take our time to analyze them individually to help you decide which one is best suited for your own eCommerce business!
USPS Priority Mail International
USPS Priority Mail International is an affordable and reliable international shipping option that delivers goods to over 180 countries. Its unique features and specifics include:
Delivery Speed
Delivery of goods usually takes 6 to 10 business days.
Pricing
Although shipping prices are mostly based on the weight and destination of the goods, USPS Priority Mail International also offers flat-rate pricing, which means that with flat rate envelopes and boxes, you can pay a flat rate depending on the destination. Shipping rates start at $29.60.
Overall, USPS Priority Mail International is among the most affordable in terms of pricing when comparing USPS international shipping rates.
Insurance
This shipping service offers insurance coverage of up to $100 for non-negotiable document reconstruction. For loss or damages to merchandise, up to $200 insurance coverage is offered.
Tracking
This shipping option offers USPS international shipping tracking service, which, while not the most extensive of USPS international shipping options, still offers peace of mind for both online merchants and buyers alike.
Weight Restrictions
The maximum weight for this service is 70 lbs. For small flat rate boxes and flat rate envelopes, the maximum weight is four lbs. For medium and large flat rate boxes, the maximum weight restriction is 20 lbs. Country-specific weight restrictions may also apply.
Other unique features include free shipping supplies and the possibility of your goods qualifying for free package pickup, either from your home or office.
USPS Priority Mail Express International
With USPS Priority Mail Express International, you can also ship to over 180 countries worldwide at competitive shipping rates. This service also offers date-certain delivery services with a money-back guarantee to certain locations.
Delivery Speed
Delivery of goods usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
Pricing
Although shipping prices are mostly based on the weight and destination of the goods, USPS Priority Mail Express International also offers flat-rate pricing, which means that with the flat rate envelopes and boxes, you can pay a flat rate depending on the destination. Shipping rates start at $47.95.
Overall, pricing tends to run considerably higher compared to both USPS Priority Mail International and USPS First Class International, in exchange for improved tracking and support as well as faster delivery speed.
Related: 2021 USPS Shipping Rate Changes
Insurance
This USPS international shipping service offers insurance coverage of up to $100 for non-negotiable document reconstruction. For loss, missing contents, or damage to merchandise, USPS offers up to $200 insurance coverage.
Tracking
Tracking is available and is among the best of all USPS international shipping options.
Weight Restrictions
The maximum weight for this service is 70 lbs. For small flat rate boxes and flat rate envelopes, the maximum weight is four lbs. Country-specific weight restrictions might also apply.
Other unique features of this USPS international delivery service option include free shipping supplies and the possibility of your goods qualifying for free package pickup, either from your home or office.
USPS First Class International
USPS First Class International service is very affordable and reliable when it comes to sending letters, postcards, and flat envelopes to Canada and over 180 other countries.
Delivery Speed
Delivery of letters, postcards, and envelopes is determined by destination. There is no fixed delivery schedule. Generally speaking, delivery speed is slower compared to both USPS Priority Mail International and USPS Priority Mail Express International.
Pricing
Just like other services, the shipping prices for this service are mostly based on the weight and destination of the letters and envelopes. Envelopes that exceed the stipulated weight restrictions are charged as packages. Prices usually start at $1.15 for all countries.
As this service specializes in the delivery of envelopes and small packages, prices generally tend to be more affordable compared to USPS Priority Mail International and especially USPS Priority Mail Express International.
Insurance
This particular shipping service does not offer any insurance coverage currently.
Tracking
This service offers no USPS international mail tracking services.
Weight Restrictions
As this service is for envelopes and small packages, weight and volume restrictions are much more stringent compared to other USPS international shipping options.
This service's maximum weight and dimensions are four lbs., 38 cm. in length, and 91 cm. in volume. For small flat rate boxes and flat rate envelopes, the maximum weight is four lbs. Additional country-specific weight restrictions also apply.
Other unique features of this USPS international delivery service option include free shipping supplies.
Related Post: UPS Service Offerings
USPS International Shipping: Choose the Service Best for You
These three different international shipping options offered by USPS are designed to suit various businesses and their specific needs.
If you’re shipping items that need to be delivered within 6 to 10 business days, then USPS Priority Mail International is usually a great choice. For more urgent delivery, you can opt for the USPS Priority Mail Express International which delivers within 3 to 5 business days and, despite its higher costs, offers excellent tracking and support too. If you’re sending out letters, postcards, and flat envelopes cross-border, USPS First Class International is almost always going to be the most cost-effective option.
Fortunately, Easyship partners with USPS and offers access to all of these shipping solutions! Sign up today to take advantage of these USPS shipping options at discounted, pre-negotiated rates and start taking your business worldwide!
