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How Much Will It Cost to Send Certified Mail®?

January 29, 2021
Author: Demetri Smith
 

This year the USPS announced new Certified Mail rates for 2021. Fees and rates increased this year but there are best practices and tech that can help businesses offset the costs—and improve the entire process!

As of January 24, 2021, it can cost $7.00 to send just one First-Class Mail letter as Certified Mail with a hard-copy Return Receipt from the Post Office. This breaks down to $0.55 for the postage, $3.60 for the Certified Mail fee, and $2.85 for a hard copy Return Receipt, also known as a “green card.” If your business sends Certified Mail regularly, there are several ways to reduce these costs.

 

2021 USPS Rates for Certified Mail® and Return Receipt 

Effective January 24, 2021

2021-certified-mail-rates

 

Best Practices: Three Ways to Reduce the Cost of Certified Mail®

#1 Use a Postage Meter

 usps-certified-mail-tracking
Use a postage meter as the first step to bring down the costs of Certified Mail.

You can reduce the cost of Certified Mail just by using a postage meter. When you use a postage meter the USPS gives you a 7% discount on the First-Class postage. Under the new 2021 USPS rates, it will cost $.55 cents to send a First-Class letter but only $0.51 cents when you use a postage meter. If you’re sending Certified Mail every day or every week, this will start to add up quickly. Use a postage meter as the first step to bring down the costs of Certified Mail.

 

#2 Switch to Electronic Return Receipt
 

usps-certified-mail-tracking
Reduce the cost of Certified Mail by using electronic Return Receipts.

The fastest and easiest way to cut down on the cost of Certified Mail is to use electronic Return Receipts. Return Receipt is your proof of delivery that an important mail piece was delivered. It also includes the signature of the recipient. The Return Receipt can be returned to you in the form of a traditional, hard-copy green postcard in the mail or electronically through email. Using an Electronic return receipt benefits your business because the proof of delivery is sent immediately to your company’s inbox as a PDF, which can be saved digitally. But most importantly, using Electronic Return Receipt saves you a lot of money. It only costs $1.75 to send the proof of delivery electronically, compared to $2.85 when you use the traditional hard-copy method. That’s a $1.10 savings on every mail piece you send using Electronic Return Receipt. Wow, the savings are adding up!

 

#3 Send Certified Mail® Online
 

usps-certified-mail-online
Save 38% on Certified Mail with ConnectSuite e-Certify.

Let’s face it: whenever you automate a manual process you save money. In fact, you can save up to 38% on Certified Mail costs when you use an online solution, like ConnectSuite e-Certify, for all your Certified Mail. No more paying more than you need to, visiting the Post Office or spending time filling out hard-copy green cards. e-Certify is an affordable online program that makes sending Certified Mail easy.

  • Save money
  • Centralize tracking and archiving
  • Reduce errors
  • Increase productivity
 

Interested in sending Certified Mail using ConnectSuite e-Certify?


Schedule a demo with a Mail Expert and see how Connectsuite e-Certify can help you reduce Certified Mail costs while transforming the entire process. Learn more about ConnectSuite e-Certify and start preparing Certified Mail electronically.  

Get Demo

Comments

October 31, 2019 at 9:57 am
Diana Gibbons
When are these rates going in effect? In the paragraph above it has January 6, 2020. Under "Certified Mail and Return Receipt Rates" it shows "Effective January 26, 2022".
October 31, 2019 at 10:13 am
Caroline
Hi Diana, Apologies for the confusion, the 2020 rates go into effect January 26, 2020. Thank you,
October 31, 2019 at 8:37 am
Beth
What will restricted delivery cost?
October 31, 2019 at 9:00 am
Caroline
Hi Beth, Certified Mail Restricted Delivery is going up from $8.80 to $9.00. Thank you
October 31, 2019 at 7:57 am
Kay
How much is a Certified Mail Restricted Delivery that was $8.80 going to be?
October 31, 2019 at 8:58 am
Caroline
Hi Kay, Certified Mail Restricted Delivery is going up from $8.80 to $9.00. Thank you
July 8, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Dionne Johnson
How so I apply postage to a certified letter? My model is a IS 280.
July 24, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Caroline
Hi Dionne, This is a question we get a lot! You just add the postage as you normally would, there is no difference for Certified Mail. The cost of Certified Mail is added on top of the cost you already pay for postage. Thank you, Caroline
Comments are closed for this article.
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