Tag: fedex mail

How Fast Is Certified Mail? Is There a Better Alternative?

Is There a Certified Mail Alternative That’s Faster Than USPS? Yes, it’s FedEx 2Day, and we offer it here at LetterStream. Keep reading to learn more.

Certified Mail Is Great—Until Time’s Not on Your Side

Certified Mail has its place. It’s reliable. It’s trackable. It’s legally recognized.
But if you’ve ever waited days—sometimes a week or more—for a Certified Mail letter to land, you’ve probably asked:

“Is there something faster?”

Because when a deadline is staring you down or a document needs to be in hand yesterday, even USPS can feel slow.

That’s where FedEx 2Day® through LetterStream comes in.

FedEx 2Day: The Certified Mail Alternative You Didn’t Know You Needed

Here’s the thing—there’s no exact replica of USPS Certified Mail.
But there is a smarter, faster option when speed and accountability matter:

FedEx 2Day through LetterStream offers:

  • Full delivery tracking
  • Delivery confirmation with timestamps
  • Fast, guaranteed arrival—typically in 2 business days
  • Legally sound for many business and legal applications

It’s ideal when you want the Certified Mail concept but can’t wait around for USPS to take its time.

When Should You Choose FedEx 2Day Instead of Certified Mail?

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:
If proof matters and timing matters more—go FedEx 2Day.

Use it for:

  • Urgent legal documents
  • Time-sensitive board communications
  • Final notices or account escalations
  • Executive correspondence
  • Government-related paperwork with deadlines
  • HOA hearing notices that require a fast turnaround

And yes—it’s fully trackable, timestamped, and delivery-confirmed, just like Certified Mail.

Explore FedEx 2Day with LetterStream and see how fast business mail can really move.

Side-by-Side: Certified Mail vs. FedEx 2Day

FeatureUSPS Certified MailFedEx 2Day via LetterStream
Delivery Speed3–7 business days (but can take weeks)Typically 2 business days
USPS Tracking✅✅ (FedEx tracking)
Proof of Delivery✅ (Electronic Return Receipt optional)✅ (Timestamped FedEx confirmation)
Accepted for Legal Use✅✅ (Varies by case)
Mailing PrepOnline via LetterStreamOnline via LetterStream
Post Office Trip RequiredNoNo

What Makes FedEx 2Day Work So Well with LetterStream?

It’s not just about speed—it’s about ease.

When you use LetterStream, you get:

  • A fast, intuitive upload process
  • FedEx 2Day as a mailing option
  • No label printing or drop-off
  • Tracking and delivery confirmation, stored in your dashboard
  • Support if anything goes sideways

Basically, it’s FedEx power without FedEx headaches.

But Wait—What If I Still Need Certified Mail?

We’ve got that too.

You can still send USPS Certified Mail online through LetterStream anytime. It’s perfect for:

  • Compliance-required documents
  • HOA violations
  • Court filings that mandate USPS
  • Any scenario where USPS postmarks and tracking are required

Learn more about Certified Mail online and when it makes sense to use it.

Fast, Proof-Based Mail—Now You’ve Got Options

It used to be one-size-fits-all. If you needed delivery proof, Certified Mail was your only option.

Not anymore.

With FedEx 2Day through LetterStream, you can get:

  • Speed
  • Tracking
  • Peace of mind

So the next time a deadline looms, don’t default to “slow but safe” —choose fast and accountable.

LetterStream makes printing and mailing a breeze! Sign up for a free account here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so, here.

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FedEx Holiday Surcharge—Here’s What You Need to Know

The holidays are almost here, and if you’re planning your end-of-year mailings, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: FedEx is rolling out a FedEx holiday surcharge. However, it’s not a flat fee this year—there are a few twists and turns this time around. Starting October 28th, FedEx will be adding a $1 surcharge on letters and envelopes, and it’ll change a couple of times before going away in late January.

Let’s break it down and chat a little bit about how LetterStream is handling it, so you’re not caught off guard during the busy season.

So, What’s the Deal with the Holiday FedEx Surcharges 2024?

From October 28th to January 19th, FedEx is adding a temporary surcharge to letters and envelopes. But it won’t be the same rate the whole time—here’s the timeline:

  • Starting October 28th: FedEx adds a $1 surcharge per letter or envelope.
  • On November 25th: That jumps to $2 during the holiday peak.
  • On December 30th: It drops back down to $1.
  • After January 19th: The surcharge ends.

If you’re sending out bulk letters or documents, especially around big shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you’ll want to keep these dates in mind. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but nothing we can’t handle together when it comes to FedEx online printing and mailing.

Here’s How LetterStream Is Handling It

We get that surcharges can be frustrating, especially when managing a lot of mail. That’s why we’re keeping things as straightforward as possible. As FedEx adjusts its rates, we’ll match those changes within our services. Just to be clear. We are not raising our prices on FedEx, only adding on a fee for the purchase during this holiday season. That means when you send mail online through us you’ll see the surcharge added as $1 starting October 28th, going up to $2 on November 25th, back to $1 on December 30th, and gone after January 19, 2025.

To keep everything transparent, you’ll see the FedEx holiday surcharge as a line item before paying and on your invoice as: FedEx Surcharge / Mandated FedEx Holiday Fee. This way, you’ll always know what to expect when it comes to the added surcharge fee.

Why This Matters for Your Mailings

If you’re in charge of bulk mailings—whether it’s invoices, HOA notices, legal documents, or some festive holiday mail—you’ve probably got enough on your plate already. Adding a fluctuating surcharge into the mix can feel like another thing to juggle.

By matching FedEx’s peak season surcharge exactly, we’re helping you avoid any surprises when it comes to checking out. You’ll know in advance what your mailing costs will be, so it’s easier to plan and budget without any last-minute curveballs.

Planning Ahead for the Holiday Rush

The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on us all, and mailing deadlines definitely don’t help. If you haven’t started planning your end-of-year mailings, now’s the time to get things in motion. While the $1 surcharge starts on October 28th, it’s that jump to $2 on November 25th that’s going to matter most if you’re sending out a lot of FedEx online mail during the holiday crunch. The earlier you can get your mailings out the better. You’ll save on costs and avoid the holiday rush altogether.

Wrapping It Up (No Pun Intended!)

The FedEx holiday surcharge might be a bit more complicated this year, but that doesn’t mean your mailing process has to be. We’re keeping things simple, transparent, and easy to navigate over here at LetterStream. As you prepare for your holiday mailings—whether it’s important documents or some holiday cheer—you can count on clear pricing with no hidden fees when you send snail mail online through us.

Here’s to a stress-free holiday season! Let’s get those letters where they need to go, no matter what FedEx has in store.

LetterStream is a printing and mailing company, offering bulk online printing and mailing services for businesses of all sizes from those with small business mailing needs to Fortune 500 companies that want to send mail online.