Postal Service Practice Exam

Which mail class generally has the lowest cost?

1. First class mail

2. Media mail

3. Priority mail

4. Express mail

The correct answer is: Media mail

Media Mail is generally the mail class with the lowest cost because it is specifically designed for shipping educational materials and media such as books, brochures, and catalogs. This classification allows for substantial cost savings for senders who are mailing eligible items, as it is less expensive than First-Class, Priority, and Express mail. One of the key reasons Media Mail is more affordable is that it has specific weight and content restrictions, allowing postal services to streamline processing and transportation. This efficiency contributes to the lower pricing, making it an ideal choice for individuals and organizations sending large volumes of qualifying materials. The other mail classes, such as First-Class, Priority, and Express, provide faster delivery services and additional features, like tracking and insurance, but these convenience features come with a higher cost. Thus, when the primary concern is minimizing shipping expenses for qualified items, Media Mail becomes the obvious choice.