Mailing Essentials
Have you noticed that your mailing and shipping costs change even when you’re sending the same package to the same place? One key reason for these fluctuations is something called demand surcharges.
Demand surcharges are extra fees that shipping carriers add during busy times when demand for shipping is high. These surcharges help carriers manage increased volume, labor shortages, and other challenges that come with handling more packages than usual. This is a standard practice that helps carriers deliver your packages on time, even during the busiest seasons.
Carriers impose demand surcharges for several reasons. During peak seasons like Christmas or Black Friday, the volume of packages increases significantly. To manage this volume, carriers often add surcharges to help cover the extra costs associated with handling more shipments.
Another factor is fuel prices. When fuel costs rise, carriers face higher operating costs, which typically results in fuel surcharges on rates.
Packages that require extra resources for delivery due to their weight, unusual shape, or special packaging will receive an Additional Handling surcharge. Specifically, packages with oversized dimensions will incur a Large Package Surcharge to offset the additional resources needed for their delivery. You also have to be careful that your packages do not exceed a carrier’s maximum weight or size limits or they will receive an Over Maximum Limit surcharge to cover the extra costs and resources required for delivery.
Additionally, busy shipping areas can lead to delays, prompting carriers to apply congestion surcharges. Finally, deliveries to remote locations can incur additional costs, leading to remote area surcharges.
By staying informed about these factors, you can better anticipate mailing and shipping costs during busy periods.
Demand surcharges are temporary fees that arise during peak demand periods, such as the holidays, and usually last only until the demand decreases. As we enter the holiday season, it’s essential to monitor postage costs and any potential surcharges from carriers during these busy times. Staying informed about how these temporary surcharges can impact your postage rates is important, and that’s where we can help you.
Additionally, carriers often impose shipping deadlines to ensure timely delivery by the holidays. To ensure your shipments arrive on time and at the best possible price, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest pricing trends and shipping deadlines.
We’re committed to keeping you updated on the constantly evolving carrier landscape, including demand surcharges, dynamic pricing, and shipping deadlines. We recognize that navigating this complex industry can be difficult, which is why we focus on providing you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed.
Here’s how we help:
By using our tools and resources, you can optimize your mailing and shipping costs and ensure that your packages arrive on time, every time.
We’re here to support you in navigating these changes, so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.
Yes. Our reports show you you activity and total spend by carrier, mail class, shipping service -- so you always know how much you send. You can customize your reports by date and, if you are on our multi-location plan, you can also view activity and spend per location and user.
No. Our negotiated carrier discounts ensure you pay less for First Class Mail® stamps and get up 88% off shipping services from USPS, UPS, and other top carriers. These are discounts you will not find at the Post Office as they are reserved for high volume enterprises. Check stamps.com/carriers for latest on carriers and rates.
Our rate advisor feature helps you calculate exact postage or shipping rate for anything you send. All you need is your item's weight and dimensions -- we do all the math for you and recommend cheapest, fastest, and best rates across all carriers.
Delivery is made by the country's postal service in 3 - 5 business days, depending on the destination.
Generally, it takes Priority Mail International six to ten business days. USPS hands off shipments at the border of the destination country before the local postal service completes the delivery.
While price varies depending on weight and destination, rates for this service begin at $17 dollars.
USPS Priority Mail generally delivers in 2-3 business days. First-Class Mail, while more economical, typically takes 1-5 business days for delivery.
NetStamps are USPS-approved blank labels on which you can print your own stamps. Simply buy postage on Stamps.com, use any printer to print on a NetStamps sheet or roll, and stick the NetStamp to an envelope, postcard, or other First Class Mail.
Nonmachinable envelopes might be non-rectangular, rigid, unevenly thick, or have non-paper closures, meaning they cannot be processed efficiently by USPS's automated sorting equipment, and require special handling, resulting in a surcharge in addition to the standard postage.
Regular, Legal, and Padded
Packages up to 15.999 ounces are priced in 4-ounce increments, while heavier packages are charged by the pound, rounded up. The further the distance, the higher the cost. Additional fees apply to oversized packages. Easily calculate discounted rates anytime at Stamps.com.
USPS Priority Mail typically takes one to three business days, depending on destination, to deliver. You can easily check for a delivery time estimate on USPS’s Priority Mail Delivery Map.
Educational materials like books, music, or videos that never include any products or advertising.
With USPS, Stamps.com customers have access to Commercial Base, Commercial Plus, Cubic Pricing, and Negotiated Service Agreements. Savings include:
With UPS, Stamps.com customers get up to 73% off UPS 2nd Day Air® and up to 77% off UPS® Ground Daily Rates.* Plus, many common surcharges are waived, including the residential surcharge for UPS Ground shipments.
*UPS rates are limited to shipping from the continental U.S. only. These rates and discounts exclude shipment origins from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. These rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.
First-Class Mail International®
Flat Rate Envelopes are ideal for documents or small, dense items weighing 4 lbs or less, as they offer a single price based on the destination country. For items between 4 lbs and 70 lbs, or those that don't fit into the Flat Rate Envelopes, you'll need to ship by weight using your own packaging. It’s more affordable to use Flat Rate boxes if your item is under 20 lbs.
