Mailing

Classes of Mail and Postage Rates

Mailing Services sends all domestic letter-size pieces and flat-size pieces under 11 oz. as First Class mail. If a different class of mail is needed, indicate the class above the delivery address or fill out a Mailing Instruction Form.

All domestic flat-size pieces over 11 oz. must be marked by the sender with the class of mail desired. The class of mail will be indicated above the delivery address, on the UW mailing label, or on a Mailing Instruction Form.

First Class/Priority Mail

Personal correspendence is always sent as first-class mail. This includes:

• Handwritten material
• Typed material
• Bills
• Statements of account
• Carbons

You can also send any other mailable matter First-Class if you wish.

Estimated delivery times for First-Class mail:
Letter-size pieces - overnight locally, within 2 days regionally, within 3 days nationally.
Flat-size pieces or parcels - a day or two additional time for delivery.

Priority Mail: Priority mail is First-Class mail weighing more than 11 oz and up to 70 lbs, or lighter pieces requested by the mailer to be sent as Priority mail. To improve visibility and handling of Priority mail, use the free USPS Priority mail envelopes and stickers available through Mailing Services. Delivery is generally within 2 day between major cities. First-Class and Priority mail items are closed against postal inspection by the USPS. The minimum postage for Priority Mail is $3.20.

Second Class

A specific USPS Second-Class mailing permit is required. Types of material usual sent Second-Class are:

• newspapers
• magazines
• other periodicals (published at stated intervals of at least 4 times a year and used for the transmission of informations, not advertising.)

Mailing Services coordinates all University applications and mailings for USPS Second-Class mail permits.

Third Class

Printed material or other mailable matter that weighs less than 16 oz. that is not required to be sent First-Class or does not qualify to be sent Second-Class can be sent as Third-Class mail. Examples:

• circulars
• pamphlets
• newsletters
• catalogs

Sometimes called advertising mail, Third-Class mail can be used for individual pieces but is most often used for bulk mailings of 200 or more identical mail pieces. Mailing Services maintains the University's Third-Class bulk mailing permit. Permission must be obtained from Mailing Services for each use of this permit. USPS delivery service for Third-Class mail generally ranges from three to seven days locally, and one to two weeks nation-wide.

Fourth Class

Printed material or other mailable matter that generally weighs 16 oz or more that is not required to be sent First-Class and does not qualify to be sent Second-Class can be sent as Fourth-Class mail.

For more information about classes of mail and rates, visit the United States Postal Services website.

Contact Us:

Mailing Contacts