Postage will depend on how far your package is going and the service you’re using. It also depends on the package’s size and weight, unless you’re using a flat rate option for Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail service.
Make sure you’re not underpaying on postage. When a package is sent without enough postage, it may be returned to you or the person receiving it may need to pay the difference.
The USPS Price Calculator wizard will show you how to measure your package and calculate your domestic postage costs for you.
Calculate a Price
How to Pay for Postage
You can pay for postage a few ways:
At the Post Office Counter: A retail associate will weigh your package, help you choose a shipping method, and tell you how much postage will cost. After you pay, they’ll print the postage and put it on your package.
At a Self-Service Kiosk: The kiosk machine will walk you through the steps of weighing your package, paying for postage (using a credit, debit, or EBT card), printing the postage and attaching it to your package, and placing it in the drop-off bin.
Using stamps: You can use any combination of stamps or printed postage that adds up to your total postage price. (You might need a lot of stamps, unless you’re using higher-value stamps.) You can buy stamps at a Post Office Counter or Approved Postal Providers like grocery and drug stores. You can also shop online for all stamps at The Postal Store®.
Use Click-N-Ship service: You can pay online for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express postage (and when you use enhanced Click-N-Ship service, you can buy Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and USPS Ground Advantage postage at lower Commercial Rates); then, you can:
Print your shipping label on your own printer. (You don’t need special label sticker paper; you can use regular printer paper—just tape the printed label to your package with clear packing tape.)
Or, you can use the Label Broker® feature, where you’ll get a QR code that you can take (with your package) to participating Post Office locations. The retail associate at the counter will accept your package, print the label, and send it on its way.
Or, when you use enhanced Click-N-Ship service, for $1.25 per label, we’ll print the mailing label and deliver it to you.
Additional Fees:
If your package is bigger than 1 cubic foot (12”x12”x12”, or 1,728 cubic inches) in volume, “dimensional weight” (DIM weight) may apply. If you’re required to pay the DIM weight rate and you don’t, you’ll be charged an additional fee.
If your package exceeds certain measurements, you’ll also pay an extra, nonstandard size fee.
Additional Package Fees
Add-On Services
If you want insurance, proof of delivery, signature services, or other optional services, you’ll have to pay extra.
Certified Mail®: Get proof that you shipped your item and that the recipient signed for it.
Registered Mail®: USPS’s most secure shipping service—items are processed by hand, handled separately and securely, and signed for along every step of its journey. This takes longer, and you won’t get tracking updates. The recipient must sign for the package to confirm delivery (or attempted delivery).
Return Receipt: You’ll get a printed or emailed delivery record showing the recipient’s signature. You can combine Return Receipt with other services, including Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Priority Mail Express® service, and more.
Adult Signature Required: Only an adult (age 21+) can sign for the item after showing a showing a valid government ID.
I am a JOIN LENON BLUR - world-leading expert, and I am the admin of Antiqueworld with many years of experience researching antiques and postal publications. I hope to provide the audience with the most accurate and informative information.