What's the Difference Between First Class Mail and Standard Mail?

Whether you're planning a mailing campaign for your business or looking to do some direct mail surveys, it's important to understand what's the difference between first class mail and standard (or marketing) mail. Both options can get your message in front of your target audience, but each has different advantages and costs.



First Class Mail

Also known as regular or bulk mail, first class is a convenient and affordable way to send envelopes and light packages of correspondence. It offers priority processing, which ensures your letters and parcels arrive locally within one to three days and nationally in four. The speed of first class mail is also great for sending time-sensitive promotions, such as event announcements or coupons with two-week redemption deadlines.


However, first class does not offer the same options for forwarding or returning nondeliverable letters as other mail services. The only exception is an ancillary service endorsement at an additional cost, which allows the USPS to forward undelivered pieces to a new address or return them to the sender with an explanation of why they weren't delivered.


Standard mail (or marketing mail), on the other hand, offers an economical option for small businesses that don't need to reach a large volume of customers or are willing to wait a bit longer for delivery. This option provides a discount on postage if your mailing is presorted and you pass the NCOA and CASS checks. It's a good choice for advertisements, flyers and newsletters, merchandise and small packages, as long as they don't exceed 13 ounces in weight.


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