First-Class Mail International

May 17, 2023

First-Class Mail International

Is USPS First-Class Mail International an Effective Shipping Option?

USPS offers many shipping services, like Global Express Guaranteed (CXG), First-Class Mail International, and Priority Mail International!

The goal?

It aims to enable individuals and businesses to use postal services to communicate with others globally. Though FedEx, UPS, and other options are available, USPS offers better rates and features.

But which international mailing option is the best? Why do most senders use First-Class Mail International?

Another concern is finding efficient solutions to create and print items for mailing!

Companies can partner with a direct mail service provider that ships their items via post. It lets them save time, effort, and investment and boost offline communications.

Let us discover whether USPS First-Class Mail International is your best option for sending items abroad. We will also discuss how to use this service, its rates, and more!

What Is First-Class Mail International and Why Should You Use It?

The First-Class International Mail option is the cheapest way to send large envelopes and letters to nearly 180 countries. You can send a letter or postcard weighing up to 1 oz anywhere with a single Global Forever stamp.

These stamps never expire, and their prices stay the same. Hence, you can hoard them in advance and use them whenever needed!

Shipping your items via First-Class Mail International has other benefits, like

Based on weight and destination, we offer low prices.
Optional mail tracking.
Optional signature on delivery.

The weight limit for flats or large envelopes is 15.994 oz. Thus, if you want to send packages or heavier and broader letters, you must use other services. One such option is the First-Class Package International service, which allows you to send parcels weighing up to 64 oz or 4 lbs.

There is a common misconception that First-Class Mail International is the same as Express Mail. But they are two different services.

Express Mail represents the Priority Mail International option, which is costlier, faster, and offers more features.

Hence, consider other USPS services if you want to send time-critical mail. But First-Class Mail International is the most effective choice if you are not in a hurry and want to reduce postal expenses.

Does First-Class International Shipping Come With USPS Tracking?

No! The International First-Class Mail service does not offer tracking or other benefits to keep prices low. It does not provide USPS tracking. Hence, staying informed about your mail’s delivery status can be challenging. Also, the Post Office won’t send you a slip with the recipient’s signature as proof of delivery.

But you can change that by buying add-ons for your First-Class Mail International items.

Imagine you want to send compliance-based documentation to clients overseas. You need evidence that you shipped the items and addressed recipients received them.

How can you ensure it?

An excellent solution is to buy Certified or Registered Mail.

These options guarantee mailing security and efficiency. What’s more?

They also offer USPS tracking and signature on delivery to ensure your items reach the correct destinations and you can stay updated.

PostGrid’s direct mail API lets you prepare, print, and ship First-Class Mail International items from your current workflows.

You can add Certified, Registered, or Express Mail by clicking a button. We handle everything on your behalf, from production and variable data printing to presorting and shipping! Drop an email at sales@postgrid.com to learn more!

What Are the USPS First-Class Mail International Prices?

One Global Forever Stamp costs $1.45. It is valid for a 1 oz mail piece only.

As your item’s weight increases, you may need to use two, three, or more stamps.

2-oz letters and postcards can cost up to $2.71, based on the destination country.
The prices to send 3-oz First-Class Mail International items fall between $2.05 and $3.96.
4-oz mailers cost $2.65 to $5.22.

If you use PostGrid’s automated direct mail solutions, you need not worry about the expenses. We offer the lowest rates possible, covering design, printing, and shipping.

Let us give you an example of how we assisted a client who wanted to send First-Class Mail International letters to customers in France.

They planned on opening an office in Marseille. But first, they wanted to expand their network by regularly communicating with existing customers.

The First-Class International Mail service was their best option since they didn’t send urgent mailings.

They integrated our direct mail API into their CRM to process correspondence items. Their first campaign focused on sending 2,000 letters to relevant prospects and existing customers.

PostGrid’s pre-built templates helped them design and customize their artwork within minutes. Then, they uploaded their contacts and launched the mailing program after making a few selections. They had many shipping options but chose the USPS First-Class Mail International service.

Their recipients received the letters within five to eight business days. What seemed to be a complicated and expensive process was completed hassle-free!

Which Address Format to Use When Sending Something Via First-Class Mail International?

You must use the international address formats based on the destination country to send something globally.

The US postal address format is similar to that of other countries. But even minor differences can lead to delivery delays, mail returns, and lost items.

Hence, ensure your First-Class international shipping items carry standardized and formatted addresses. It lets the Post Office process your mail faster and without trouble.

Here are some tips:

Always write the recipient’s name on the first line.
The company’s name should be on the second line. You may avoid mentioning it if needed.
Your First-Class International Mail items must have the house number and street address, irrespective of the destination country.
You may write the PO box number instead of the street address (if applicable).
The upcoming line should comprise the city, state, and ZIP code (or postal codes).
Mention the country’s name on the last line. You can write abbreviations, like the UK or UAE. But include the full name whenever possible.

These essential tips let you send First-Class International Mail to the correct addresses without misinterpretation.

Find the examples below:

HALSEY PERRY

74 WELLINGTON ST

OTTAWA ON K1Y 3B7

CANADA

ARMIE SAUNDERS

2 GLEBE POINT RD

SYDNEY NSW 4420

AUSTRALIA

You can learn and use the address formats for a few countries.

Also, you can prepare some mail pieces with the correct addresses and send them via the First-Class international shipping service.

But what happens when your mailing volume increases from a few items to hundreds or tens of thousands?

Preparing and addressing every item can also be daunting and time-consuming. The USPS First-Class Mail International service can only take your mail pieces from the origin to the destination. Hence, you can use PostGrid’s direct mail services to complete the remaining jobs, like

Mail design
List compilation
Address verification
Printing and stuffing envelopes
Labeling
Assembling
Posting and tracking

Improve Your First-Class Mail International Mailings With PostGrid

Our all-inclusive solutions let you send compliance, transactional, sales, and marketing items online. Clients use our API integrations and dashboard to mail a broad range of collaterals, like

Postcards
Letters
Newsletters
Checks
Invoices
Statements, and more!

PostGrid allows businesses to reduce their workload and cut unnecessary expenses. They can ship USPS First-Class Mail International and other items online, helping their staff focus on other activities.

Also, we offer secure HIPAA-compliant solutions to protect your data privacy and confidentiality. You can always rest assured that we print and mail your items using the best equipment, tools, partners, and years of expertise.

Ready to Get Started?

Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid

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