easypost usps ground advantage Benefits and Pricing Explained

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The Easypost USPS Ground Advantage program offers significant benefits for online sellers and small businesses.

With Easypost, you can save up to 50% on shipping costs compared to traditional USPS pricing.

This program also provides access to real-time shipping rates and labels, making it easier to manage your shipping operations.

One of the key benefits of Easypost USPS Ground Advantage is the ability to automate shipping and reduce manual errors.

What Is EasyPost USPS Ground Advantage?

EasyPost USPS Ground Advantage is a shipping solution that offers discounted rates on USPS Ground shipping.

By using EasyPost's USPS Ground Advantage, you can save up to 50% on your USPS Ground shipping costs compared to the standard USPS rates.

This solution is ideal for businesses that ship a high volume of packages, as it provides a cost-effective way to send packages across the country.

The discounted rates are available for packages weighing up to 70 pounds and measuring up to 108 inches in length and girth combined.

Shipping Options and Rates

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USPS Ground Advantage delivers within 2 to 5 business days to the 48 contiguous states.

You can save on shipping costs with USPS Ground Advantage, especially for lightweight packages or packages containing hazardous materials. With EasyPost, you'll get access to special discounted rates on USPS Ground Advantage and other services.

USPS Ground Advantage pricing is determined by weight, dimensions, and distance, unlike some other shipping services. Your exact shipping costs will also depend on whether you've entered into a contract with USPS and negotiated customized rates.

Here are the Retail costs for lightweight packages weighing up to 15.999 ounces:

Shipping Time

USPS Ground Advantage delivers within 2 to 5 business days to the 48 contiguous states.

If you're shipping to or from Alaska or Hawaii, delivery may take longer than 5 days.

USPS Ground Advantage is slower than Priority Mail, taking 2 to 5 days to deliver, compared to Priority Mail's 1 to 3 days.

However, Ground Advantage is also more affordable, making it ideal for shipments that don't require rapid delivery.

Both Ground Advantage and Priority Mail include up to $100 of shipping insurance, so you can rest assured your package is protected.

What Are Rates?

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USPS Ground Advantage rates can be a bit tricky to understand, but don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you.

The rates are determined by weight, dimensions, and distance, so your exact shipping costs will depend on these factors.

If you're shipping small packages weighing up to 15.999 ounces, you'll be charged based on weight, rounded up in 4-ounce increments.

For packages weighing more than 15.999 ounces, you'll be charged by the pound, rounded up.

Large, lightweight packages may incur dimensional (DIM) weight pricing, which is calculated by multiplying the weight, length, and height of the package, then dividing by 166.

If your package is a non-standard shape or size, you may need to pay an additional fee.

Here are some key facts to keep in mind when it comes to USPS Ground Advantage rates:

  • Small package pricing: weight is rounded up in 4-ounce increments (e.g. 4.2-ounce package is charged the 8-ounce price)
  • Larger package pricing: charged by the pound, rounded up (e.g. 8.3-pound package is charged the 9-pound price)
  • Dimensional weight charges: calculated by multiplying weight, length, and height, then dividing by 166
  • Non-standard shapes and sizes: additional fee may apply
  • Cubic pricing: supported for items less than 20 pounds and up to 1 cubic foot in volume

Streamline Your Shipping

If you're a small or large business, shipping can be a hassle, but EasyPost makes it simple. You can sign up for a free account and automatically get access to USPS, as well as other carriers in their extensive library.

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With EasyPost, you'll get built-in cost savings, address verification, and automatic label generation. This means you can focus on running your business while EasyPost handles the shipping details.

EasyPost integrates with USPS and other carriers, allowing you to print shipping labels for any carrier you choose. This saves you time and effort, and you'll even get access to Merchant Discount Pricing, which is better than Retail and Commercial Pricing.

To give you an idea of the costs, here's a breakdown of the Retail costs for Zone 1 for packages up to 15.999 ounces:

USPS Ground Advantage is a cost-effective way to ship packages up to 70 pounds, but keep in mind that there are nonstandard package fees for larger shipments. With EasyPost, you'll get access to these discounted rates and more.

First Class Package Service and Parcel Select Services Update

USPS has retired the Retail Ground, Parcel Select Ground, and First-Class Package services.

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These services are no longer available for use, so you'll need to explore alternative options for your shipping needs.

The Ground Return and First-Class Package Return services have also been retired.

This change affects both senders and recipients, so it's essential to adjust your shipping strategies accordingly.

USPS has likely made these changes to streamline their services and improve efficiency.

Benefits and Discounts

USPS Ground Advantage offers a range of benefits, including fast and affordable shipping with delivery times as short as two days.

Each shipment comes with up to $100 of insurance coverage, free of cost, and you can purchase additional coverage up to $5,000 worth for more valuable packages.

Free pickups are also available, making it convenient to ship packages from your home or office.

USPS Ground Advantage ships anywhere in the United States, including rural areas, military bases, and U.S. territories.

You can also ship hazmat materials safely and legally with USPS Ground Advantage.

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To save even more, consider partnering with a shipping platform like EasyPost, which can provide discounts lower than retail and commercial pricing.

Here are some estimated costs for USPS Ground Advantage shipping:

Note that costs vary across shipping zones and can be affected by the shipping platform you use.

Benefits of

USPS Ground Advantage offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive shipping option.

One of the standout benefits is its fast and affordable delivery, with packages arriving in as little as two days.

Free pickups are also included, making it easy to send packages from your home or office without incurring extra costs.

USPS Ground Advantage provides included insurance coverage of up to $100, free of charge, which is a great safety net for valuable packages.

If you need to ship hazardous materials, USPS Ground Advantage is a safe and legal option, allowing you to transport these items without breaking the law.

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Tracking and other services, such as forwarding, undeliverable as addressed, and return to sender, are also included in the label cost.

Here are some key benefits of USPS Ground Advantage at a glance:

  • Fast and affordable delivery
  • Included insurance coverage of up to $100
  • Free pickups
  • Wide coverage across the US, including rural areas and military bases
  • Acceptance of hazmat shipments
  • Tracking and other services included

Discounts

Discounts on USPS Ground Advantage can be a game-changer for your business. You can get discounts on USPS Ground Advantage by partnering with a shipping platform like EasyPost, which can provide rates lower than retail and commercial pricing.

One way to save is by using a shipping platform like EasyPost, which can offer discounts on USPS Ground Advantage and other services from a variety of carriers. EasyPost automatically integrates with USPS and other carriers, allowing you to print shipping labels for any carrier you choose.

USPS Ground Advantage rates are based on weight and distance, making it a better value for lightweight goods at closer distances. With EasyPost, you can access Merchant Discount Pricing, which is better than both Retail and Commercial Pricing.

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To give you a better idea of the costs, here are some examples of discounted rates on USPS Ground Advantage:

Keep in mind that prices vary across shipping zones, so be sure to check the rates for your specific area. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can save even more on your USPS Ground Advantage shipping costs.

Special Cases and Restrictions

USPS has a list of restricted items that can't be shipped at all, including ammunition, explosives, and liquid mercury. These items are too hazardous to handle properly.

Other items, such as alcohol, firearms, and lithium batteries, are restricted and can be shipped, but only if you follow specific packaging guidelines and use the right shipping service.

If you're shipping a package that's too big or nonstandard, you'll face extra fees. Packages that are over 108 inches in combined weight and girth are considered oversized and will cost more to ship, with prices ranging from $93.95 to $246.60 depending on the distance.

Here are the extra fees for nonstandard packages:

Oversized and Nonstandard Freight

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Oversized and Nonstandard Freight can be a real challenge when shipping packages. Packages that exceed 108 inches in combined weight and girth are considered oversized and will cost more to ship, with prices ranging from $93.95 to $246.60, depending on the distance.

The extra fees for oversized packages can add up quickly. If your package is over 22 inches long but less than 30 inches, you'll need to add $4.00 to the shipping cost.

If your package is over 30 inches long, the extra fee is $8.40. And if it's more than 2 cubic feet in size, you'll be charged an additional $18.00.

Here's a breakdown of the extra fees for nonstandard package sizes:

Restricted Items

Restricted items are a crucial consideration when shipping packages, and USPS has a clear list of what's off-limits.

USPS prohibits shipping items like ammunition, explosives, and liquid mercury, as they can cause injuries or damage if not handled properly.

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These items are too hazardous to be shipped by plane, so USPS Ground Advantage is a safer option.

Other items, like alcohol, firearms, and lithium batteries, are restricted but can be shipped if you follow the right packaging guidelines and use the correct shipping service.

To avoid any issues, make sure to check the USPS guidelines for these items before sending them.

Deliver on Weekends?

Weekends can be a challenge for deliveries, but some services have got you covered. USPS Ground Advantage offers Saturday delivery at no extra cost.

If you need something delivered on a weekend, you'll want to plan ahead. Unfortunately, USPS Ground Advantage does not offer Sunday delivery.

In some cases, a little extra planning can go a long way. You can still get your package delivered on a Saturday, which is a big plus.

Migrating

Migrating to USPS Ground Advantage is a relatively smooth process, thanks to SKULabs' automatic mapping feature. Until July 2024, your retired services will be automatically re-mapped to Ground Advantage.

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You don't need to do anything, but if you'd like to change your shipping preferences before then, follow these steps. If you're not already using EasyPost, use their link to sign up for a free account and receive exclusive offers as a SKULabs partner.

By signing up for EasyPost, you can meet or beat your existing USPS rates with significant discounts and no contractual volume requirements. You'll also receive the best offers made exclusively available through SKULabs as an official USPS Connect eCommerce partner.

To switch to Ground Advantage, follow the guide on switching primary carriers and ensure your shipping preferences are enabled for this new program.

Domestic Shipping

Domestic Shipping is a breeze with EasyPost's integration with USPS. You can start shipping with USPS Ground Advantage by signing up for a free EasyPost account.

The maximum weight limit for USPS Ground Advantage is 70 pounds, which is perfect for shipping lightweight goods. This service is a cost-effective way to ship packages across the country.

Credit: youtube.com, When To Ship With USPS Ground Advantage

To give you a better idea of the costs involved, EasyPost provides access to Merchant Discount Pricing, which is better than Retail and Commercial Pricing. This means you can save money on your shipping costs.

Here's a brief overview of the domestic shipping services offered by USPS:

  • First-Class Mail: Letter, Large Envelope - Maximum weight 3.5 oz for letters and 13 oz for large envelopes.
  • Ground Advantage: Packages ground shipments - Maximum weight 70 lbs, and combined length and girth cannot exceed 130 inches.
  • Priority Mail: Parcel, Large Flat Rate Board Game Box, Small/Medium/Large Flat Rate Box, Flat Rate Legal Envelope, and more.
  • Priority Mail Express: Parcel, Flat Rate Legal Envelope, Flat Rate Padded Envelope, and more.
  • Media Mail: Parcel for educational materials.

USPS has introduced the new Ground Advantage services, replacing First-Class Package and Parcel Select Ground, so make sure to check the latest pricing and services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I drop off USPS ground advantage packages?

You can drop off USPS Ground Advantage packages at any USPS post office or drop off location. Find a convenient location near you to complete the shipping process.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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