Refer to the individual Domestic mail class for more information. Times
given below are estimates.
Domestic Classes of Mail Estimated Delivery Time
Class of Mail |
Estimated Delivery Time |
Trackable |
Guaranteed
(money back if not on time) |
| Express Mail service (PO to Addressee) |
Items are delivered to the addressee
(recipient) by noon or 3:00 p.m. the next day, or noon or 3:00 p.m. the second day. |
Yes |
Yes |
| Express Mail (PO to PO) |
Items are available for collection by the
recipient by 10:00 a.m. the next day or second day (or next day or second day that the
destination Post Office is open for retail business). |
Yes |
Yes |
| . |
| Priority Mail service / Priority Mail Flat Rate |
Typically two to three days to most
locations in the US (Specific delivery standards may be available when postage is calculated).
This is not a guaranteed service. |
No |
No |
| First-Class Mail |
Estimated delivery time is two to three
days. |
No |
No |
| . |
| Parcel Post |
Typically 2 - 9 days in the 48 contiguous
states for most origins / destinations. Specific time standards may be available when
postage is calculated. Estimated delivery time
between Alaska / Hawaii / US Territories and the contiguous 48 states is approximately 3
to 6 weeks (most surface mail travels by ship).
Estimated delivery time within Alaska / Hawaii / US
Territories addresses is approximately 4 to 14 days. |
No |
No |
| Bound Printed Matter / Media Mail |
For most origins / destinations, specific
time standards may be available when postage is calculated. Estimated delivery time between Alaska / Hawaii / US Territories and the
contiguous 48 states is approximately 3 to 6 weeks or more (most surface mail travels by
ship).
Estimated delivery time within Alaska / Hawaii / US
Territories addresses is approximately 4 to 14 days. |
No |
No |
| . |
| Periodicals |
The USPS does NOT guarantee delivery of
Periodicals within a specified time. |
No |
No |
| . |
| Standard Mail |
Estimated Time of Delivery: 2 to 9 days
(The USPS does NOT guarantee delivery of Standard Mail.) |
No |
No |
| |
Note: Typically military mail letters are delivered
between seven and 10 days depending on country of destination. Priority Mail parcels will
take 10 to 15 days. Parcel Post takes about 24 days, according to MPSA (Military Postal
Service Agency) officials.
Transit times will vary depending on operational conditions and the unit of the addressee.
Those in established bases should continue to receive regular service, while those in
forward areas or engaged in operations may experience longer arrival times due to
logistical constraints. During Desert Storm we equated this with the military postal
system having to forward mail to a population rivaling that of the city of Richmond, VA
that was moving through an area the size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi river.
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Domestic mail estimated delivery times