Everything You Need to Know About USPS Ground Advantage

On July 9, 2023, the United States Postal Service (USPS) combined its USPS Retail Ground, First-Class-Package, and Parcel Select Ground into one new service: USPS Ground Advantage. Keep on reading to learn more about what USPS Ground Advantage entails, how it works, how Ground Advantage will affect eBay sellers, and more!

What is USPS Ground Advantage?

How does USPS Ground Advantage work?

USPS Ground Advantage ensures a swift and seamless delivery service by merging USPS Parcel Select Ground, USPS First-Class Package Service, and USPS Retail Ground service. The new service also helps you plan ahead thanks to its delivery service standard of two to five business days. When it comes to pricing, USPS Ground Advantage is promising to offer competitive rates based on weight and zone.

To get an idea of the proposed prices for Ground Advantage, check out their Postal Explorer.

USPS Ground Advantage rates depend on a few simple factors: your package’s weight, size, shape, and how far it’s traveling. Packages from 1 oz. up to a hefty 70 lbs. are fair game, but keep in mind that anything headed to Alaska, Hawaii, offshore destinations, or containing hazardous materials or live animals may take a bit longer to arrive. For those, think more “island time” than “continental hustle.”

For pricing, USPS uses tiers based on weight:

• Tier 1: Up to 4 oz.
• Tier 2: Up to 8 oz.
• Tier 3: Up to 12 oz.
• Tier 4: Up to 15.999 oz.
  
  

Once you tip past 15.999 oz., you’re in pound-rate territory. And if your package is a bit on the ... voluminous side (over one cubic foot), USPS calculates postage based on either actual weight or dimensional weight (that’s the height × width × length × girth — think geometry class, but with more cardboard). Sometimes, dimensional weight can actually save you a few bucks compared to the scale.

Delivery for USPS Ground Advantage usually takes between 2–5 business days, but those outlying destinations or special shipments might need a little extra time.

Want to take the guesswork out of postage? The handy USPS Price Calculator Tool lets you plug in your package’s details — weight, shape, size — and get a quick quote. And if you need extra peace of mind, exploring options like USPS Certified Mail can provide added security and proof of delivery for important documents and parcels.

How does USPS Ground Advantage compare to other shipping options like Priority Mail and First-Class Mail?

When weighing your shipping options, it’s helpful to consider how USPS Ground Advantage stacks up against tried-and-true services like Priority Mail and First-Class Mail.

USPS Ground Advantage shines when you need an affordable, straightforward solution for packages weighing up to 70 pounds that don’t require lightning-fast delivery. Its two-to-five business day window offers dependable timing for most shipping situations while keeping costs in check. This makes it a solid pick for everyday parcels and e-commerce orders.

On the other hand, if speed is your top priority, Priority Mail is still your go-to choice, providing typically faster delivery — often in one to three business days — with the added benefit of built-in insurance and tracking. First-Class Mail (not to be confused with First-Class Package) remains the gold standard for letters and lightweight documents, getting your correspondence across the finish line quickly and economically.

In short:

• USPS Ground Advantage is ideal for general packages where reliability, transparency in pricing, and affordability matter most.
• Priority Mail leads for those urgent shipments requiring quicker turnaround.
• First-Class Mail continues to serve as the best option for lightweight letters and documents.
  
  

What are commercial rates and how can businesses qualify for discounted USPS Ground Advantage pricing?

If you’re shipping a high volume of packages, USPS offers commercial rates — a way for businesses and organizations to save compared to standard retail pricing. To access these discounted rates, you’ll need to obtain a mailing permit and pay an annual mailing fee through USPS.

Curious about next steps? You can find everything you need to know about eligibility and how to set up commercial pricing by visiting the USPS website. Taking these steps can add up to significant savings for your business, especially if you’re regularly sending out shipments with Ground Advantage.

Can business customers expect benefits when using Ground Advantage?

Yes! There are specific USPS Ground Advantage benefits that will benefit business owners, including:

• Convenient return service: Allows customers to send items back hassle-free
  
  
• $100 insurance coverage: For both outbound and return shipments $100 insurance will be included (there will also be an option to purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage against loss or damage)   

How will USPS Ground Advantage affect sellers on eBay?

Ground Advantage is affecting how eBay sellers will ship their merchandise and is requiring sellers to update their current listings. eBay is providing some support for its sellers with this delivery service change by making some automatic updates to labels and listings. Updates include:

Printing labels

As an eBay seller, if you had a sale with Parcel Select Ground or First-Class Package, the label will print and display as USPS Ground Advantage automatically.

Updating listings

eBay will be automatically updating listings with Parcel Select Ground to reflect USPS Ground Advantage. 

What updates do eBay sellers need to make for USPS Ground Advantage?

Though eBay is helping update listings with Parcel Select Ground to USPS Ground Advantage, there are still updates that sellers will have to make manually. 

Manual updates that eBay sellers will have to make to their listings are: 

• If you ship via First-Class package, you must update listings to USPS Ground Advantage over the next 30 days.
  
  
• You will also need to update Business Policies to reflect the new service.
  
  
• Any listings with Retail Ground will also need to be updated to USPS Ground Advantage.

What is the point of USPS Ground Advantage & why was it launched?

USPS is in the midst of its 10-year plan to increase service, on-time delivery, and revenue generation. Ground Advantage is the next initiative to help their plan progress. Previous USPS initiatives that were part of their 10-year plan (Delivering for America) have included the Direct Mail Postage increase last year, as well as last year's holiday price hike. 

Finally - 
How can I be sure to get the best USPS pricing out there?

For the best USPS pricing and seamless shipping management, look no further than Zenventory. With Zenventory's powerful platform, you can streamline your shipping processes, access discounted USPS rates, and optimize your inventory management. 

Take your shipping experience to the next level and visit Zenventory today!