First Class Post to USA: A Comprehensive Guide

Sending first class post to the USA can be a bit of a process, but with the right information, you'll be on your way to getting your items delivered in no time.

The first step is to ensure you're using the correct postage. The cost of sending a first class letter to the USA is $1.20 for a standard letter, according to the US Postal Service.

You'll also want to make sure you're using the correct form of postage, which can be purchased at your local post office or online.

The US Postal Service recommends using a trackable service, such as Priority Mail, for packages over 1 pound.

First Class Post is a common and cost-effective option for sending mail, particularly for small-scale and new businesses. It's used for sending envelopes containing bills, invoices, tax forms, correspondence, and more, as well as lightweight packages.

First Class Mail is not the most prioritized mail option, it's given less priority than Priority Express and Priority Mail, but it's prioritized over second, third, and fourth-class mail options. It's also known as regular mail, and all mail items sent between individuals are considered First Class Mail.

You can send postcards, letters, and lightweight packages via First Class Mail, but not circulars, bulletins, flyers, and newsletters which are considered Standard or Bulk Mail.

First-Class Post is used to send envelopes containing bills, invoices, tax forms, correspondence, and more, as well as lightweight packages.

It's a popular option for small-scale and new businesses because it's cost-effective and doesn't require a minimum mailing volume or presorting.

You can send personal or business mail through First-Class as long as the envelopes weigh nothing more than 3.5 oz and your parcels are below 13 oz.

First-Class Mail includes automatic mail forwarding and returns to sender options, which come for free.

All important documentation such as legal notices and forms are supposed to be sent via First-Class Mail.

First-Class Mail is prioritized over second, third, and fourth-class mail options, but it's not the top priority, as it's given less priority than Priority Express and Priority Mail.

First-Class Mail includes postcards, letters, and lightweight packages, whereas Standard or Bulk Mail includes circulars, bulletins, flyers, and newsletters.

Letters are a staple of first-class post, and understanding their specifics can help you navigate the world of mail with ease. First-class mail letters have a maximum weight limit of 3.5 oz.

The minimum size of letters is the same as that of postcards: 3.5″ x 5″. However, the maximum first-class mail envelope size is 6.125″ x 11.5″. The thickness should be within 0.009″ to 0.25″.

Letters that don't meet these specified dimensions and shape requirements are non-machinable and might be charged a non-machinable surcharge. If a letter exceeds the dimensions, it is considered a flat (large envelope).

The price for first-class mail letters depends on the weight, and the maximum weight limit is 3.5 oz. You can expect to pay at least $0.73 for a standard-sized, rectangular envelope stamp. If your envelope is square, oversized, or unusually shaped, the price starts at $1.19. Large envelopes (flats) start at $1.50.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you with the costs:

Sending to the USA can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

First-class mail to the USA typically takes around 1 to 3 days, with most local mail items arriving in just one day. However, the delivery time can vary depending on the distance between the post office and the destination.

If you're sending mail to a nearby state, it'll arrive much sooner than if you're sending it across the country. The USPS doesn't guarantee the delivery time explicitly, but you can check their first-class mail time map to get an idea of the delivery time.

When calculating postage from the UK to the USA, the cost varies depending on the type of mail, size, and weight. You can use Royal Mail's calculator to find out the exact postage rate.

Royal Mail offers reasonable rates for sending letters and parcels to all parts of the US, whether you're sending to a large city like Los Angeles or a small town in Arkansas.

In the US, you can track your first-class mail package service, but not other types of first-class mail like postcards, letters, and flats.

USPS tracking is free for first-class mail package service, both retail and commercial.

You can get some tracking information with extra services that offer barcodes, but it's not the same as a full tracking number.

USA Delivery Time can be a bit tricky to predict, but here's what you need to know: the estimated first class mail time is around 1 to 3 days.

For local mail items, delivery is often much faster, taking just one day to arrive.

The distance between the post office and the destination plays a big role in determining delivery time.

Items delivered within the same state tend to arrive sooner than those going across the country.

Tracking packages can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown.

USPS tracking is available for first-class mail package service, both retail and commercial, and it's free.

You can track your first-class mail packages with ease, but not your postcards, letters, or flats, unfortunately.

However, if you're sending international packages, you can get tracking information for parcels.

First-class mail international tracking is available for parcels, so you can rest assured your package will arrive safely.

Flats are a type of mail item that can be sent as first-class mail to the USA.

The weight limit for first-class mail flats is 13 oz, after which they are sent as priority mail.

For a mail item to be considered a flat, it must have minimum dimensions of 6.125″ x 11.5″.

The maximum dimensions for flats are 12″ x 15″.

The thickness of a flat can range between 0.25″ and 0.75″.

Mail items that exceed these dimensions or are non-rectangular or rigid are considered packages.

You can be the reason for delivery delays with a single wrong digit in your ZIP code. This is because postal workers need to be able to understand the address.

Write in legible handwriting so that postal workers can easily read the address. This is crucial because the USPS address reading machines depend on your inputs to process and sort mail correctly.

If you don't have clear and legible handwriting, it's better to print address labels and stick them to your mail items.

The costs and services for first-class post to the USA can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown. The USPS offers a First-Class Package Service that's economical for parcels weighing up to 13 oz, but if you use the commercial option, you can send packages weighing up to 15.99 oz.

The cost of sending a 1-ounce letter via First-Class Mail is increasing to $0.78 as of July 2025, up from $0.73. This is the same rate for metered mail, which costs $0.73 as of now but will also increase to $0.78.

For international mail, the cost of sending a letter or postcard from the UK to the USA varies depending on the type of mail, size, and weight. However, you can calculate your exact postage using Royal Mail's online tool.

Here are the proposed rates for First-Class Mail as of July 2025:

First-class mail costs can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got you covered. The cost of sending first-class mail depends on the type of mail, size, weight, and more. First-class mail Forever stamps cost $0.55, which is currently the rate for 1 oz.

For packages that weigh up to 13 oz, first-class package service is your most economical choice. However, if you use the first-class package service commercial option, you can send packages weighing up to 15.99 oz. Commercial pricing is obviously cheaper than retail pricing.

If you're sending a postcard, it costs $0.36, but oversized postcards are treated as letters and cost at least $0.55. Letters that are rectangular-shaped and of standard size cost $0.55, but you need to pay an additional $0.20 for every additional ounce.

The cost to send large envelopes or flats starts at $1.00, and you need to pay $0.20 for each additional ounce. For small packages, the price starts at $4 for retail and $3.01 for commercial for the first 4 oz.

Here's a breakdown of the costs for first-class mail:

Remember, the prices for first-class mail can vary depending on the weight, type of mailing, size, shape, method to pay postage, non-machinable surcharge, and more.

First-class mail costs start at $0.55 for a 1 oz letter, which is the rate for Forever stamps.

The cost to send first-class mail increases by $0.20 for each additional ounce.

Postcards that fit within the specified dimensions cost $0.36 each, while oversized postcards are treated as letters and cost at least $0.55.

First-class mail Forever stamps cost $0.55, which is the current rate for 1 oz.

Large envelopes or flats start at $1.00, and you need to pay $0.20 for each additional ounce.

Businesses can get postal discounts on their first-class mail stamp costs by using print and mail APIs like PostGrid.

The USPS first-class mail rates for packages that weigh up to 13 oz start at $4.

The first-class mail postage rates to send out small packages start at $4 for retail, and $3.01 for commercial, for the first 4 oz.

First-class mail costs depend on the weight, type of mailing, size, shape, method to pay postage, non-machinable surcharge, and more.

The prices for other services remain the same irrespective of the destination.

The non-machinable surcharge can increase the US postal rates of first class mail dramatically.

Presorted first-class mail can help reduce first-class postage rates, especially for businesses mailing 500 or more items.

As of July 13, 2025, mailers will see price increases to USPS mailing products.

First-Class letters will see a 5¢ increase for both retail stamps and metered mail, but online postage and meter users will still save 4¢ per letter.

The additional ounce rate for letters is increasing from 28¢ to 29¢.

First-Class Flats, or Large Envelopes, are increasing by 11¢, and the additional ounce rate for Flats is increasing to 30¢, depending on the weight of the envelope.

Expect delays during holidays due to increased demand at post offices and sorting facilities.

The USPS first-class mail delivery time can be significantly longer than usual during holidays.

Holidays really challenge the USPS first-class mail delivery time.

The USPS will complete deliveries as and when it can, especially during times of high demand like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many people opted to shop online instead of going out and regularly sent mail to their close ones to stay in touch during the pandemic.

The USPS first-class mail calculator can help you determine the approximate mailing time approximately.

You should still expect delays even if you mail a few days in advance.

It is recommended that you mail a few days in advance, but it's not a guarantee against delays.

As of July 13, 2025, mailers will see price increases to USPS mailing products.

First-Class letters will see a 5¢ price increase, whether you're using retail stamps or metered mail.

The good news is that online postage and meter users will still save 4¢ per letter.

The additional ounce rate for letters will only increase from 28¢ to 29¢.

First-Class Flats, or Large Envelopes, will see a significant 11¢ price increase.

The additional ounce rate for Flats will increase from 27¢ to 30¢, depending on the weight of the envelope.