Can I Mail Candy?

If you’re thinking of sending some candy through the mail, think again. The US Postal Service won’t let you mail candy, per se…but you can definitely ship it using one of their shipping services!

Shipping Candy vs. Mailing Candy: What’s the Difference?

If you’re tripped up between the terms “mailing” and “shipping,” you’re not alone! A lot of beginners mix up these terms when hearing them thrown around, but the truth is, mailing and shipping couldn’t be more different from one another. We’ll break it down for you here:

Mailing refers to sending letters, documents, and postcards. When sending mail, you’ll need to pay for First-Class Mail postage, aka “Forever” Stamps. These currently cost 58 cents per stamp, which is the standard rate for sending a letter through the US Postal Service.

Shipping, on the other hand, is an altogether different story. Shipping refers to sending parcels containing items and products, and generally, packages over 3 ounces that are wider (and bulkier) than your standard envelope. Basically, anything other than letters and documents needs to be shipped instead of mailed, and USPS offers specific services for these situations. Two of the more well-known shipping services that USPS offers are First Class Package and Priority Mail.

Since candy doesn’t fall into the category of letters, documents, or postcards, you guessed it—you have to ship it!

USPS First Class Package is the Cheapest Way to Ship Candy

By far, the cheapest way to ship candy is with USPS First Class Package Service. First Class Package is the most affordable shipping service that USPS offers, and applies to shipments below 16 ounces (aka 1 pound). In most cases, rates for First Class Package run anywhere between $3 to $5 per package, so you simply can’t beat the prices!

One thing to keep in mind: USPS doesn’t allow you to use any of their free packaging when shipping First Class Package, so you’ll need to provide your own box or mailer for your candy shipment. If you’re on the hunt for some boxes or poly mailers, you can order some on the ULINE website.

For Shipments Over 1 Pound, Use Priority Mail or Priority Mail Cubic

For candy shipments weighing 1 pound or more, you won’t be able to qualify for First Class Package Rates. As a result, your next-best option is to either use weight-based Priority Mail, or the specially-discounted sub-service Priority Mail Cubic.

If you’ve never heard of Priority Mail Cubic, don’t beat yourself up. Priority Mail Cubic—or “Cubic,” for short—is one of the shipping industry’s best-kept secrets, where rates are based on your package’s outer dimensions, and not its total weight. As long as your box or envelope is less than 0.5 feet in cubic volume, you can load it up with up to 20 pounds of candy, and the price to ship with Priority Mail Cubic won’t change at all!

Due to this special pricing structure, Cubic is one of the most sought-after services by individuals and small business shippers. Unfortunately, you’ll never find Cubic at your local Post Office…but you can take advantage of these specially-discounted rates with online shipping software. Before you Google “shipping software,” though, don’t worry…we’re about to go over that next.

Save Money on Candy Shipments by Using Shipping Software to Buy Discounted Labels Online

Now that you know which services to use for your candy shipments, it’s time to save yourself some money on your labels! Here’s something to keep in mind: never, ever, ever go to the Post Office! Instead, use shipping software to buy discounted postage online.

When you use online shipping software to buy labels, you’ll give yourself the ability to skip the long lines at the Post Office, and you can print your postage right from home. Plus, you’ll get access to special services and discounts that USPS and other carriers typically reserve for huge commercial shippers who send more than 50,000 packages per year…just like Priority Mail Cubic, which we mentioned above. In some cases, these special discounts and services can save you up to 89% off of what you’d pay to ship the same box of candy at the Post Office. Talk about a sweet deal!

Pro Tip: There are a ton of different shipping software options out there, and when it’s time to pick one, you should do the proper research to find out which one best fits your needs. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out our Reviews page!