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Cheap USPS Labels: How to Get the Best Postal Rates in 2024

Learn how to get the cheapest USPS shipping labels. Compare Commercial Base vs Retail pricing and discover insider tips for maximum postal savings.

November 18, 20232 min read
Cheap USPS Labels: How to Get the Best Postal Rates in 2024

Getting Cheap USPS Labels: The Complete Guide

If you're shipping products online, USPS is often the most affordable option for lightweight packages. But are you getting the best rates? Plenty of small businesses pay the counter price when a cheaper option was available for the very same package.

Understanding USPS Pricing Tiers

USPS offers different pricing tiers based on volume and how you access their services:

Retail Pricing (Most Expensive)

  • Prices at the Post Office counter
  • No discounts
  • Limited service options
Commercial Pricing
  • Runs below retail on every USPS service
  • Available through shipping software
  • No volume requirements
Commercial Plus Pricing (CPP)
  • No longer a separate tier
  • USPS merged it into Commercial Pricing
  • There is no higher tier left to qualify for

How to Access Cheap USPS Labels

The easiest way to get discounted USPS rates is through shipping software like Atoship. Commercial pricing runs below retail on each of these services, so here is the counter price you are measuring the discount against:

ServiceUSPS Retail, Zone 1USPS Retail, Zone 8
Ground Advantage (4 oz)$7.90$9.45
Priority Mail (1 lb)$11.00$16.95
Priority Mail Express (1 lb)$35.90$62.80
Ground Advantage and Priority Mail both include USPS Tracking and up to $100 of insurance at no extra cost.

Tips for Maximizing USPS Savings

  • Use Cubic Pricing - Small, heavy items ship cheaper with cubic rates
  • Don't go looking for Regional Rate Boxes - USPS discontinued Box A and Box B in 2023; for zone-based pricing use Ground Advantage, and for free USPS-supplied boxes use Flat Rate
  • Print Labels Online - Always cheaper than counter rates
  • Use Flat Rate When It Makes Sense - Best for heavy items going long distances
  • Compare Before You Ship

    Always compare USPS rates with UPS and FedEx. Sometimes UPS Ground beats USPS Priority Mail, especially for heavier packages going shorter distances.

    Start Getting Cheap USPS Labels Today

    Sign up for free at Atoship and immediately access commercial pricing on all USPS services. No contracts, no minimum volumes.

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