USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the US federal government and one of the world's largest postal organisations, delivering to approximately 166 million addresses across the United States six days a week (and seven for parcels). USPS traces its origins to 1775, when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General of the Continental Congress — making it one of the oldest federal institutions and an organisation embedded deeply in American daily life.

USPS handles more parcel volume than any other carrier in the United States, delivering over 7 billion packages annually. Its universal service obligation — the legal requirement to deliver to every address in the country, regardless of location or profitability — gives USPS unique reach that private carriers like UPS and FedEx do not match, particularly in rural and remote areas.

USPS for e-commerce

For e-commerce businesses, USPS offers a range of shipping products relevant to different needs. Priority Mail Express provides overnight delivery to most US addresses. Priority Mail offers 1-3 day delivery. Ground Advantage handles slower, lower-cost shipping. USPS Connect provides local and regional delivery solutions for businesses with same-day or next-day requirements in specific metro areas.

USPS's cost structure makes it particularly competitive for small, lightweight packages — a segment where its Flat Rate packaging is heavily used by small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. The USPS Click-N-Ship online tool simplifies label generation and scheduling for businesses of all sizes, making USPS accessible and practical for both high-volume shippers and occasional senders alike.