What Is USPS Retail Ground in 2024? The Complete Guide
If you‘ve ever waited nearly a week for an online purchase to arrive, chances are it was shipped via USPS Retail Ground. As an affordable but slower ground delivery service, Retail Ground works well for heavy or bulky packages that don‘t require urgent delivery.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Retail Ground:
Table of Contents
Overview of USPS Retail Ground
USPS Retail Ground offers economical ground shipping for packages over 1 pound traveling to zones 5-9. Pricing starts at $9.80 and varies based on weight, distance, and packaging dimensions.
Key Features:
- 2-8 day delivery time
- Zone-based pricing
- Pickup & drop off at Post Offices
- Free package tracking
- Affordable shipping for heavier items
With ground transportation and extensive USPS infrastructure, Retail Ground provides reliable delivery typically faster than its 8 day maximum. And it easily handles heavier and irregularly shaped objects that wouldn‘t ship as cost effectively with faster options.
Retail Ground vs. Priority Mail
Retail Ground and Priority Mail are the two most popular USPS shipping choices for many online sellers and ecommerce stores. The table below shows a quick comparison on speed, cost and other factors.
| Retail Ground | Priority Mail | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Time | 2-8 business days | 1-3 business days |
| Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Zones Available | Zones 5-9 | All Zones |
| Insurance Included? | No, purchase separate | Yes, up to $100 |
With ground transport and more flexibility on delivery times, Retail Ground costs significantly less than Priority Mail. However, Prioity Mail is faster with 1-3 day quoted time in transit and includes basic insurance.
How Much Does Retail Ground Cost?
As a zone-based service, Retail Ground‘s price depends on:
- Weight – Up to 70 lbs
- Distance – Based on origin and destination zones
- Dimensions – Length + width + height
Here are sample Retail Ground rates for a medium size 10 lb package to zones 5, 7 and 9:
| Zone 5 | Zone 7 | Zone 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb box | $19.00 | $25.75 | $38.95 |
And a larger 30 lb package:
| Zone 5 | Zone 7 | Zone 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 lb box | $36.65 | $51.60 | $81.25 |
For complete pricing details, please check the USPS Retail Ground price list.
Dimensional Weight Pricing
Oversized items are charged based on dimensional weight, which accounts for volume as well as weight. Learn more in our guide to what is dimensional weight.
Retail Ground Zone Map and Transit Times
Zone 5 covers destinations 651-1,400 miles from origin
Zone 7 covers 1,401-1,800 miles
Zone 9 covers over 1,801+ miles
The average days in transit tend to be:
- Zone 5: 3-5 days
- Zone 7: 4-6 days
- Zone 9: 6-8 days
However, USPS does provide an 8 day maximum delivery time guarantee on Retail Ground shipments.
All Retail Ground packages also include free tracking so you can follow your package‘s movement from acceptance to delivery.
Packaging Tips
Retail Ground allows the use of any new or reused box in sound condition. Some tips:
- Choose sturdy boxes with adequate padding
- Seal with 2-3" wide packing tape
- Reinforce seams with tape for heavy contents
- Include accurate delivery and return addresses
Sturdy packaging helps ensure timely delivery. USPS also recommends package orientation arrows to prevent mishandling.
Special Services
Retail Ground supports several extra services when shipping:
- Insurance – Up to $5000
- COD – Collect on Delivery
- Signature Confirmation – Check who signed at delivery
Insurance coverage provides financial protection if items are lost or damaged. COD lets recipients pay upon delivery.
Recommendations
USPS Retail Ground is ideal for heavy or large packages where delivery time is flexible. It‘s affordable for oversized items that would be prohibitively costly to ship faster.
We recommend Retail Ground for:
- Ecommerce orders from online stores
- Items 1 pound or greater
- Saving money over faster options
- Irregularly shaped objects
- Zones 5-9 destinations
Just be sure to add insurance when shipping expensive or fragile goods!
The Bottom Line
With economical pricing and cross-country reach, Retail Ground cost-effectively delivers heavier packages in 2-8 days without the urgency of express shipping. It‘s a reliable choice trusted by top ecommerce retailers and saves significantly over pricier options.
For any questions on USPS Retail Ground, visit your local Post Office location or contact USPS support.
