How Much Will It Cost to Send Certified Mail^®?

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

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

#1 Use a Postage Meter

 
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
 

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
 

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.  

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