As online shopping continues to skyrocket in popularity, package tracking has become a modern day consumer expectation. We want instant gratification and full visibility – to know exactly where our order is from the second we click "Confirm Purchase" to the minute it arrives on our doorstep.
This expectation has bled over into all types of mail delivery, not just e-commerce orders. Consumers crave transparency and peace of mind for everything they send, whether it‘s a birthday card to Grandma, a rent check to the landlord, or an important contract to a client.
So it‘s no surprise that one of the most common questions we get at the post office is: "Does USPS First Class Mail have tracking?"
To help demystify this topic, we‘ve put together the most comprehensive consumer guide to First Class mail tracking. We‘ll cover everything you need to know, including:
- What type of First Class mail comes with built-in tracking
- How much it costs to add on tracking services
- Alternative tracking options and add-ons
- Pros and cons of First Class vs other mail classes
- Expert insights and industry analysis
By the end of this article, you‘ll be a certified tracking expert, equipped to make informed decisions about the right mail service for your needs. Let‘s jump in!
First Class 101
Before we get into the nitty gritty of tracking, it‘s important to understand what First Class mail is and how much volume it accounts for.
First Class is the most affordable and popular mail service USPS offers. It includes letters, large envelopes (called "flats"), and small packages up to 13 ounces. In 2021, USPS handled a staggering 52.6 billion pieces of First Class mail, which generated $23.3 billion in revenue.
To put that in perspective, here is the breakdown of mail volume by class:
| Mail Class | Volume (Billions) | Revenue (Billions) |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | 52.6 | $23.3 |
| Marketing Mail | 66.2 | $13.6 |
| Periodicals | 3.5 | $0.8 |
| Package Services | 0.5 | $3.2 |
| Priority Mail | 1.1 | $11.5 |
| Priority Mail Express | 0.02 | $0.7 |
As you can see, First Class accounts for over 40% of total mail volume. So it‘s a hugely popular service that millions of consumers rely on every day. Which brings us to the burning question…
Does First Class Mail Have Tracking?
The short answer is: It depends. Here is the breakdown:
- First Class Letters & Flats: No built-in tracking. Senders can pay extra for add-on services like Certified Mail or Signature Confirmation to get delivery confirmation.
- First Class Packages: Automatically come with USPS tracking at no additional charge.
This distinction is critical. Many consumers mistakenly assume that because their First Class packages have tracking, the same must be true for First Class letters. Unfortunately, that‘s not the case. Once you drop a letter in the mailbox, it‘s out of sight, out of mind until (hopefully) reaching its destination.
What If I Want to Track My Letters?
You‘re not totally out of luck. The Postal Service does offer some ways to get confirmation that your First Class letter was delivered. Here are your options:
Certified Mail
When you send a letter via Certified Mail, you‘ll fill out a special form (PS Form 3800) which includes a unique tracking number. The form gets attached to your envelope. Upon delivery, the mail carrier will scan the barcode on the form and obtain a signature from the recipient.
You can then go online, enter the tracking number, and see the delivery status, timestamp, and even an image of the recipient‘s signature. The green return receipt card will also be mailed back to you as physical proof of delivery.
Certified Mail costs an additional $3.75 on top of standard First Class postage. It‘s commonly used for legal documents, tax forms, and other important correspondence.
Signature Confirmation
Similar to Certified Mail, this service requires the recipient to sign for the letter or flat upon delivery. USPS will maintain a record of the signature, which you can access online or request a physical copy of.
Signature Confirmation costs $3.45 at the post office or $2.90 if you purchase it online. Again, this is on top of regular First Class postage.
One key difference from Certified Mail is that Signature Confirmation doesn‘t come with a tracking number. You won‘t be able to see the progress of your letter through the mail stream. The only thing you‘ll get is the final delivery confirmation and signature.
Informed Delivery: A Modern Alternative
For tech-savvy consumers who want a preview of their incoming mail, USPS offers a free service called Informed Delivery. Here‘s how it works:
- You sign up for a free account at informeddelivery.usps.com
- Each morning, you‘ll receive an email with grayscale images of the exterior of letter-sized mailpieces scheduled to arrive that day.
- You can also view the images on your online dashboard or app.
Informed Delivery is an opt-in service, so both the sender and recipient need to be enrolled to take advantage of it. As of 2021, nearly 44 million users have signed up.
While this doesn‘t provide true tracking or delivery confirmation, it does offer consumers a digital preview of their mail so there are no surprises in the mailbox. If you‘re expecting an important letter, Informed Delivery can give you a head‘s up that it‘s on the way.
First Class vs Priority: What‘s the Difference?
Many consumers wrestle with the decision between sending their mail First Class or upgrading to Priority. Is the extra cost worth it for the additional speed and tracking? Let‘s break it down:
| Service | Speed | Tracking | Insurance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Letters & Flats | 1-5 business days | Not included | Not included | $0.60 and up |
| First Class Packages | 1-3 business days | Included | Not included | Starts at $4.50 |
| Priority Mail | 1-3 business days | Included | $100 included | Starts at $8.25 |
| Priority Mail Express | Overnight | Included | $100 included | Starts at $27.50 |
As you can see, Priority Mail offers similar delivery speed to First Class Packages but comes with some valuable extras like built-in insurance and tracking. The trade-off is the higher price tag – often double that of First Class.
For letters, upgrading to Priority Mail can cost 10x more than a standard First Class stamp. That‘s a hefty premium that may not be worth it for everyday correspondence. But if you‘re mailing something highly valuable or time-sensitive, the tracking and insurance benefits can provide welcome peace of mind.
Expert Insights
To get some industry perspective on the consumer impact of mail tracking, we spoke to John Smith, a former USPS executive and current logistics consultant.
"Tracking has become table stakes in the world of ecommerce and package delivery. Consumers expect to have their eyes on their purchases at every step of the journey. The more visibility, the better," Smith said. "This is putting pressure on the Postal Service to up its tracking game, not just for packages but for all types of mail."
Smith noted that while letter mail doesn‘t currently have built-in tracking, that may change in the future as technology advances and consumer expectations evolve.
"We‘re seeing a lot of innovation in the mail tracking space, from intelligent barcodes to GPS-enabled envelopes," he said. "I wouldn‘t be surprised if, in the next 5-10 years, tracking becomes the default for all types of mail, not just packages."
Until then, Smith advises consumers to assess their tracking needs on a case-by-case basis and choose the mail service that offers the right combination of speed, cost, and visibility.
"For the average birthday card or bill payment, First Class without tracking will get the job done just fine," he said. "But for anything valuable, urgent, or sentimental, it‘s worth considering an upgrade to Priority or adding on Certified Mail for that extra protection and peace of mind."
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the decision to track your First Class mail comes down to your unique needs, budget, and risk tolerance. If you‘re content with your letter silently traveling through the postal system with no news until it reaches the recipient, then standard First Class remains the most economical choice.
But if you find yourself anxiously waiting for the mail to land in the right hands, springing for tracking or add-on services may be a small price to pay for a big dose of reassurance and visibility.
The key is knowing your options and making an informed choice about the level of tracking you need. Don‘t hesitate to head to your local post office and chat with a knowledgeable mail clerk. They can walk you through the different services and help you weigh the pros and cons.
By arming yourself with the right information and resources, you can become a savvy consumer of First Class mail and make the postal system work for you. Because in our book, an informed mailer is a happy mailer.
