USPS Ground Advantage Service: What You Need to Know
The United States Postal Service launched a new shipping service, USPS Ground Advantage, on July 9, 2023. Here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this ground service for light and heavy packages weighing up to 70 lbs.
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USPS Combines First Class Package and Retail/Package Select Ground into Ground Advantage
The main thing to note about USPS Ground Advantage is that the Postal Service combines two of its previous shipping services: First Class Package and Retail/Parcel Select Ground. Merging the two services into one is part of the Postal Service’s 10-year plan to turn itself around under Louis DeJoy.
First Class Packages is an air service, and the USPS relies on commercial aircraft to transport these packages. Air shipping is more expensive than ground shipping, and the continuation of First Class Package Service for lightweight shipments has resulted in USPS no longer being able to justify its costs.
With USPS Ground Advantage, USPS will reduce operating costs by funneling more packages into its ground network and away from air transport. Beginning July 9, 2023, any package weighing less than 15.99 ounces (previously defaulted to First Class packages) will now default to USPS Ground Advantage. With these changes, the USPS and Its customers can expect to save even more money on light and heavy-duty packaging.
Delivery time is 2-5 working days
USPS Ground Advantage delivery times range from 2-5 business days (but remember, these are estimates, not guarantees; the only money-back guarantee service offered by USPS is Priority Mail Express). USPS provides Ground Advantage service to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. It can also be delivered to U.S. territories and to U.S. military bases overseas.
Learn more about how to ship to military addresses.
USPS Ground Advantage comes with built-in insurance
Neither the First Class Package nor the Retail/Parcel Select Ground comes with any USPS insurance. However, USPS Ground Advantage does include built-in USPS insurance for each label. Each Ground Advantage tag comes with $100 of insurance, whether you purchase the tags at retail or commercial pricing. With this coverage, shippers will be able to claim up to $100 in declared value if their Ground Advantage package is lost in transit or if its contents are damaged upon reaching its final destination.
Packages may have non-standard fees
ground advantage has a 70 lbs max per email.Each package can also have a biggest size Length + girth add up to 130 inches. As with other USPS services, Ground Advantage packages are subject to USPS surcharges (called “non-standard charges”) if
Below is a list of non-standard package charges you may incur when shipping Ground Advantage:
- $4 If any length of your package exceeds 22 inches but is less than or equal to 30 inches
- $7 If any length of your package exceeds 30 inches
- 15 dollars For packages larger than 2 cubic feet
- $1.50 For missing or incorrect dimensions resulting in any of the above surcharges
Get Cheaper USPS Ground Advantage Rates Using Online Shipping Software
As with other USPS shipping services, you can save on label fees by using online shipping software to take advantage of the best discounts USPS has to offer.
When you buy postage online with shipping software, you can take advantage of the highest level of discounts offered by the USPS, known as business pricing.In some cases, commercial pricing rates will Save you up to 86% off The cost of sending the same package at the post office with USPS Ground Advantage!
You’ll never find these discounts at the post office, and USPS reserves them for commercial shippers who send 50,000 or more packages a year.Some shipping software companies allow you to pay a small monthly fee to access these rates…but the best shipping software companies Pass those savings on to you for free.
In addition to giving you the biggest USPS discount possible, most shipping software also gives you the option to schedule a free pickup on Ground Advantage shipments. You can arrange for a postman to pick up your package at your home, office, or any other designated shipping address. This way, you can skip the long lines at the post office entirely.
Looking for the shipping software that’s right for you?
to visit Best Discounts on All USPS Servicescheck out our guide:
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