How to save on USPS® Certified Mail™ costs

Three ways you can reduce costs with an electronic verification solution

Tuesday, Jan 30th 2024
Save on certify mail

Everyone wants to make the process of sending Certified Mail easier, quicker, and…cheaper. This is possible and simpler than you think! In this article 

Certified Mail is a type of mail delivery service offered by the USPS that adds security and provides proof of mailing for a letter, large envelope, or even a package. It provides with mailing receipt that lets you know when it got to its intended recipient.

USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Service can be helpful tool for many businesses such as law firms and collection agencies that need to show proof of delivery. Perhaps you have made several delivery attempts and a customer still won't acknowledge the receipt of bills, invoices or other important notices. Or you need to ensure a person receives certain legal documents. USPS Certified Mail provides evidence of mailing as well proof of receipt.  If the person is not present at the address then the postal carrier will not deliver it and return the mail piece to the post-office with a notice to the person to collect the item. Once the item is picked up by the intended recipient then will you receive a return receipt with their signature acknowledging the piece of mail was delivered. 

If you send Certified Mail often enough, this extra First-Class Mail service can add up, and not just in fees and the cost of postage. Think about the valuable employee time spent submitting, tracking and archiving paper Certified Mail receipts.

These are a few ways you can minimize your costs and improve your Certified Mail process.

Certified Mail Costs

Certified Mail provides you with verification that a mail piece or package was delivered to the correct recipient. The service fee is $4.40, whether you send a small envelope or a large box. However, if you automate your process you can reduce postage costs for Certified Mail with Return Receipt™ by using online Certified Mail software. This way, you save yourself a trip to the post office by entering the recipient's  address and printing the Certified Mail label right from your place of business. The streamlined online process also has an address correction feature to prevent mail from being returned. Online Certified Mail also gives you tracking and visibility to the mail piece so that you aren’t left worrying and waiting.

2. Return Receipt Costs

Return Receipt is proof of delivery that the item you mailed was received. Written confirmation that something was delivered and received is often needed when delivering important tax forms, medical documents, government  documents, and more. Return Receipt can either be a hard copy, which costs an additional $3.65 , or an electronic confirmation, which costs only $2.32. By using electronic Return Receipt you save up to 36% and improve how you save and archive Certified Mail. By sending Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipts, you can easily organize, centralize, and archive Certified Mail receipts in one easy-to-use portal.

3. Postage Costs

As an extra First-Class Mail service, Certified Mail is in addition to the postage you already have to pay to mail or send your item. If you are sending a letter, that can cost $.68. A typical package can cost anywhere from $2.00 to $200, depending on the size and weight.

To keep your postage costs down, adhere to two simple best practices:

#1 Use a postage meter

#2 Use flat-rate shipping whenever possible.

When using a postage meter you save over 5% on every letter you mail, so the postage costs go from $.68 to only $.64. When using Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express flat rate shipping, pay one flat rate when you send using Certified Mail, regardless of how much the packages weigh. Watch our video to learn more:

To recap:

As of Jan. 2024, the postage meter rate to send a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail® letter with a Return Receipt (old-fashioned Green Card) is $8.73  (4.40+3.65+.68). However, if you use online Certified Mail with an Electronic Delivery Confirmation, you can reduce your total cost by over 15% to $7.36. (4.40+2.32+.64) 

Not only will you reduce the cost of your return receipt by 36% by using an electronic verification, but you will also eliminate the hassle of storing and archiving traditional green cards.

In our modern age, integrating efficient mailing solutions like ConnectSuite e-Certify can greatly enhance your Certified Mail process, making it more streamlined and cost-effective.

Improve Your Certified Mail® Process and save over 15% per mail piece ​when you use e-Certify with a postage meter

  • Reduce costs​

  • Print labels right from your desktop​

  • Stay up to date with rates​

  • Store signatures digitally

To speak to a specialist and explore other ways to improve your mail process, contact a Mail Expert today!

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