As an ecommerce seller, getting orders shipped out quickly and reliably is a top priority. USPS Priority Mail‘s promise of speedy 1-3 day delivery for a reasonable price makes it a popular choice. But how fast is Priority Mail in reality? Is it the best shipping option for your business? Let‘s take a closer look at the facts.
Examining Priority Mail Delivery Times
According to USPS, Priority Mail packages and envelopes will arrive in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where your package originates and where it‘s headed. Packages going to nearby states often arrive overnight, while coast-to-coast packages usually take the full 3 days.
However, these delivery timeframes are estimates, not guarantees. USPS does not offer refunds for late Priority Mail deliveries like they do with Priority Mail Express. So how often does Priority Mail actually arrive within the anticipated 1-3 day window?
Based on data from shipping software company ShipStation, the vast majority of Priority Mail does arrive on time. They found that:
- 97.5% of Priority Mail packages were delivered within 3 days
- 54.2% arrived in 2 days
- 31.8% arrived in 1 day
So while not perfect, you can generally count on your Priority Mail package arriving within 1-3 days with a high degree of reliability. Anecdotally as an experienced online seller myself, this matches up with what I‘ve seen. The majority of my Priority Mail orders do arrive on time. But I always advise customers to allow a few extra days cushion time just in case, especially during peak shipping times like the holidays.
How Priority Mail Stacks Up to the Competition
In terms of speed, Priority Mail tends to be faster than comparable ground shipping services but slower than premium overnight ones. Here‘s a quick comparison of estimated delivery times for expedited services from major carriers:
| Carrier | Service | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Priority Mail | 1-3 days |
| USPS | Priority Mail Express | 1-2 days (guaranteed) |
| FedEx | Express Saver | 3 business days |
| FedEx | 2Day | 2 business days |
| FedEx | Standard Overnight | Next business day |
| UPS | 3 Day Select | 3 business days |
| UPS | 2nd Day Air | 2 business days |
| UPS | Next Day Air Saver | Next business day |
Price-wise, Priority Mail usually offers significant savings compared to expedited services from FedEx and UPS, especially for residential deliveries. For example:
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Shipping a 2 lb package from New York to California costs $10.40 via Priority Mail compared to $32.28 for UPS 3 Day Select and $50.67 for FedEx Express Saver according to FitSmallBusiness.com
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Shipping a 10 lb package in a medium Flat Rate box from Miami to Seattle costs $15.05 with Priority Mail vs $87.91 for FedEx 2Day and $97.58 for UPS 2nd Day Air per ShipGooder.com
So if your goal is to balance speedy delivery with affordable pricing, Priority Mail is often going to be the best value. The main tradeoff is not having a guaranteed delivery date like you would with Priority Mail Express or expedited services from other carriers.
Factors That Can Impact Priority Mail Speed
While Priority Mail is typically quite consistent and reliable, there are a few key factors that can slow things down:
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Shipping volume: During busy times of year like the holidays or special sales events, the influx of packages in the postal system can cause some delays. USPS does its best to keep things moving, but a 1-day delivery might get pushed to 2 days or a 2-day to 3 days in some cases. Building in a little extra wiggle room if you‘re shipping in November or December is wise.
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Inclement weather: Mother nature can also impact mail delivery times if harsh weather prevents carriers from reaching certain areas or shuts down transportation hubs. For example, a blizzard in Chicago could mean packages passing through that area take an extra day or two. Winter storms, hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters are thankfully uncommon, but worth being aware of.
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Staffing shortages: When USPS hubs or local Post Offices are short-staffed due to things like widespread illness, employee strikes, or hiring challenges, mail processing can slow. While not extremely common, this has happened from time to time such as during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. Having a few extra days padding in your shipping estimates can help account for this.
Priority Mail Services & Add-Ons
In addition to the standard 1-3 day delivery, Priority Mail also offers a few other notable features and options:
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Flat Rate & Cubic Pricing: If you can fit your items into a USPS-provided Flat Rate envelope or box, you pay one flat shipping price regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs) or destination. This simplicity can makes it easier to build shipping costs into your product pricing. There‘s also cubic pricing available, where your price is based on the outer dimensions of the box rather than weight, which can save money on small but heavy items.
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Included Tracking & Insurance: Unlike First-Class Mail, all Priority Mail shipments come with USPS Tracking so you can check your package status anytime. You also get $100 of built-in insurance at no extra charge ($50 for Flat Rate envelopes).
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Free Packaging: You can order complimentary Priority Mail boxes and envelopes from USPS.com and have them delivered right to your door. Using these official USPS packages isn‘t required, but it can elevate your business‘s image while saving time and money.
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Upgraded Options: For about $3 more, you can upgrade to Priority Mail Regional Rate for packages up to 15 lbs going to nearby states. Delivery is usually 1-2 business days. Alternately, paying a few dollars to add USPS Tracking Plus gets you a little extra peace of mind with updates on the carrier‘s actual delivery attempt.
When to Use Priority Mail & When to Choose Other Options
So when does it make the most sense to opt for Priority Mail over other USPS services or competitors? Based on my experience as an online seller, I recommend Priority Mail when:
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Speed matters but overnight delivery isn‘t essential. If your customer needs their order quickly but can wait 1-3 business days, Priority Mail offers a nice balance of promptness and price. But if guaranteed next-day delivery is non-negotiable, you‘re better off with Priority Mail Express or an expedited service from UPS or FedEx.
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Your items are under 70 lbs. The 70 lb max weight limit for Priority Mail is sufficient for most ecommerce shipments. But if you‘re mailing something especially hefty, Priority Mail is off the table. Instead, consider USPS Retail Ground for packages up to 70 lbs or FedEx/UPS Ground for even heavier freight.
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Keeping your costs down is important. As long as speed isn‘t absolutely critical, Priority Mail is usually going to be one of your most affordable shipping options. If you can fit your goods into a Flat Rate box or envelope, even better. You may also consider First-Class Package Service for shipments under 1 lb as an even cheaper (but slower) alternative.
There are of course always exceptions and unique situations. But in general, Priority Mail is my go-to recommendation for ecommerce businesses that want to offer customers fast delivery without cutting too much into their profit margins.
The Bottom Line
All in all, USPS Priority Mail is a reliable, cost-effective way to get orders to your customers‘ doorsteps in 1-3 business days. It delivers on its promised speed the vast majority of the time. And with included tracking, insurance and free packaging options, it offers a lot of value for the price compared to competitor services.
While no shipping method is absolutely perfect, I‘ve personally found Priority Mail to be the best all-around choice for ecommerce in most cases. Occasionally upgrades to Priority Mail Express or another carrier are warranted. But for your average ecommerce order, it‘s hard to go wrong with Priority Mail‘s combination of speed, affordability, and simplicity.
