How to Save on USPS Certified Mail Costs
Everyone wants to make the process of sending Certified Mail easier, quicker, and…cheaper. This is possible and simpler than you think!
Certified Mail is a type of mail delivery service offered by the USPS that adds security to a letter, large envelope, or even a package and lets you know when it gets to the intended recipient. If you send Certified Mail often enough, this extra service can add up, and not just in fees and postage costs. Think about the valuable employee time spent submitting, tracking and archiving paper Certified Mail receipts.
These are a few ways you can minimize your Certified Mail costs and improve your Certified Mail process.
1. Certified Mail Costs
Certified Mail provides you with verification that a mail piece or package was delivered. The service fee is $4.40, whether you send a small letter or a large box. However, if you automate your process you can reduce postage costs for Certified Mail with Return Receipt™ by using online Certified Mail software. This way, you save yourself a trip to the post office by entering the recipient’s address and printing the Certified Mail label right from your office. The streamlined online process also has address correction feature to prevent mail from being returned mail that you have to resend. Online Certified Mail also gives you tracking and visibility to the mail piece so that you aren’t left worrying and waiting.
2. Return Receipt Costs
Return Receipt is proof of delivery that the item you mailed was received. Written confirmation that something was delivered and received is often needed when delivering important tax forms, medical documents, legal documents, and more. Return Receipt can either be a hard copy, which costs an additional $3.65 , or an electronic confirmation, which costs only $2.32. By using electronic Return Receipt you save up to 36% and improve how you save and archive Certified Mail. By sending Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipts, you can easily organize, centralize, and archive Certified Mail receipts in one easy-to-use portal.
3. Postage Costs
As an extra service, Certified Mail is in addition to the postage you already have to pay to mail or send your item. If you are sending a letter, that can cost $.68. A typical package can cost anywhere from $2.00 to $200, depending on the size and weight.
To keep your postage costs down, adhere to two simple best practices:
#1 Use a postage meter
#2 Use flat-rate shipping whenever possible.
When using a postage meter you save over 5% on every letter you mail, so the postage costs go from $.68 to only $.64. When using Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express flat rate shipping, pay one flat rate when you send using Certified Mail, regardless of how much the packages weigh. Watch our video to learn more:
To recap:
As of Jan. 2024, the postage meter rate to send a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail® letter with a Return Receipt (old-fashioned Green Card) is $8.73 (4.40+3.65+.68)
However, if you use Online Certified Mail with an Electronic Delivery Confirmation, you can reduce your total cost by over 15% to $7.36. (4.40+2.32+.64)
Not only will you reduce the cost of your return receipt by 36%, but you will also eliminate the hassle of storing and archiving traditional green cards.
In our modern age, integrating efficient mailing solutions like ConnectSuite e-Certify can greatly enhance your Certified Mail process, making it more streamlined and cost-effective.
Improve Your Certified Mail® Process and save over 15% per mail piece when you use e-Certify with a postage meter.
Reduce costs
Print labels right from your desktop
Stay up to date with rates
Store signatures digitally
To speak to a specialist and explore other ways to improve your mail process, contact a Mail Expert today!
