---
title: "How much is USPS insurance? Fees by declared value"
description: "USPS insurance is $2.80 for up to $50 of coverage, $4.50 to $200 and $75.05 at the $5,000 limit. The full fee table, a calculator and the $100 rule."
canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/insurance-cost/
last_updated: 2026-10-19
publisher: "The Reseller Index"
---

# How much does USPS shipping insurance cost?

USPS insurance costs $2.80 for up to $50 of coverage, $3.50 up to $100 and $4.50 up to $200, rising to $9.05 at $600 and then $1.50 for each further $100, up to the $5,000 maximum ($75.05). These fees have applied since Jul 12, 2026, are added to postage, and buy coverage for the full declared value, replacing the $100 included with Priority Mail and Ground Advantage.

Fees from [USPS Notice 123](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm) effective Oct 4, 2026 (the same since Jul 12, 2026); rules quoted from the Domestic Mail Manual, usps.com and the PRC's Mail Classification Schedule, each with its section. USPS decides every claim and refund; this is a guide to its published rules.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

- **Up to $50**
  $2.80
- **Up to $200**
  $4.50
- **Up to $600**
  $9.05
- **$5,000 maximum**
  $75.05

## USPS insurance fees

*Insurance fee by coverage (declared value), on top of postage. [Notice 123](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm) effective Oct 4, 2026 (same since Jul 12, 2026); before: the Apr 26, 2026 edition.*

| Coverage | Fee now | Before Jul 12, 2026 |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| $0.01 to $50.00 | **$2.80** | $2.70 |
| $50.01 to $100.00 | **$3.50** | $3.40 |
| $100.01 to $200.00 | **$4.50** | $4.40 |
| $200.01 to $300.00 | **$4.55** | $4.45 |
| $300.01 to $400.00 | **$6.05** | $5.95 |
| $400.01 to $500.00 | **$7.55** | $7.45 |
| $500.01 to $600.00 | **$9.05** | $8.95 |
| $600.01 to $5,000.00 | **$9.05 plus $1.50 per $100 or fraction over $600.00** | $8.95 plus $1.50 |

Notice 123 prints one insurance table, priced by the coverage you ask for, with no separate online price. Over $600 the fee is $9.05 plus $1.50 for each $100 or fraction of $100 above $600.

## The fee for your declared value

*Computed from the Notice 123 table above.*

| Declared value | Insurance fee |
| --- | --- |
| $75 | $3.50 |
| $150 | $4.50 |
| $250 | $4.55 |
| $450 | $7.55 |
| $750 | $12.05 |
| $1,000 | $15.05 |
| $1,500 | $22.55 |
| $2,500 | $37.55 |
| $5,000 | $75.05 |

## If the label already includes $100

> “When additional insurance is purchased, it replaces the included insurance.”
>
> — [USPS Priority Mail page](https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm), checked Oct 19, 2026

So for a $150 item on Priority Mail you buy $150 of coverage ($4.50), not $50; under that rule, buying $50 of coverage on a $150 item would leave it covered for $50. DMM 503.4.2 treats Priority Mail and Ground Advantage the same way, though only USPS's Priority Mail page states the replacement rule. The conditions for the included $100 (a USPS tracking barcode, retail or commercial prices) are on [what the included $100 covers](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/included-insurance/).

> “Note: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage include $100.00 of insurance coverage; see 503.4.0.”
>
> — [DMM 503 Exhibit 1.4.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), checked Oct 19, 2026

*Included coverage by service: DMM 503 (Exhibit 1.4.1, 4.1, 4.2 and Exhibit 1.4.3), checked Oct 19, 2026.*

| Service | Included insurance | Can you buy more? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Priority Mail Express | $100 (merchandise) | Yes, to $5,000 |
| Priority Mail | $100 | Yes, to $5,000 |
| Ground Advantage, retail and commercial | $100 | Yes, to $5,000 |
| Priority Mail Return, Ground Advantage Return | $100 | Yes |
| Media Mail, Library Mail, Bound Printed Matter | None | Yes, from $2.80 |
| First-Class Mail | None | Yes |

USPS's extra services page adds that Priority Mail's included insurance doesn't apply when bought with certain extra services, without listing them: “Priority Mail insurance is not included when you purchase it along with certain extra services.” ([USPS extra services page](https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm)) If you add extra services to a valuable package, buy coverage for its full value.

## Worked example: a $350 lens

*Worked example: A $350 lens, 2 lb, Priority Mail online label to Zone 5*

| Postage (USPS commercial price now, holiday prices included) | $14.02 |
| --- | ---: |
| Coverage with nothing added | $100, included |
| Insurance for the full $350 | $6.05 |
| **Total** | **$20.07** |

Buying only $250 of coverage ($4.55) would leave the lens covered for $250, not $350, because bought insurance replaces the included $100. If it's lost, USPS also adds the postage you paid (DMM 609.5.4).

## Media Mail: insure it, or ship Ground Advantage?

Media Mail includes tracking but no insurance, so a $60 book sent by Media Mail is covered only if you buy coverage. Ground Advantage includes $100, so on short trips an online Ground Advantage label can cost less than Media Mail plus $3.50 for the same coverage; the last column shows where at USPS's current prices.

*Media Mail: Notice 123 (same since Jul 12, 2026). Ground Advantage: USPS commercial (online) prices in Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026, which include temporary holiday prices until Jan 17, 2027, and $100 of coverage.*

| Weight | Media Mail | Media Mail + $3.50 for $100 of coverage | Ground Advantage online, Zone 1 | Ground Advantage online, Zone 4 | Ground Advantage online, Zone 8 | Where Ground Advantage online costs less |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
| 1 lb | $4.39 | **$7.89** | $8.01 | $8.55 | $11.22 | None |
| 2 lb | $5.13 | **$8.63** | $8.39 | $8.91 | $13.42 | Zones 1-2 |
| 3 lb | $5.86 | **$9.36** | $9.04 | $10.07 | $16.30 | Zones 1-2 |
| 5 lb | $7.34 | **$10.84** | $10.35 | $11.67 | $20.24 | Zones 1-3 |

Ground Advantage is also faster: USPS's services page gives 2-8 days for Media Mail and 2-5 days for Ground Advantage. Whether Media Mail includes tracking and what else it can carry: [Media Mail tracking and insurance](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/insurance-and-tracking/).

## Over $500: a signature at delivery

> “An item insured for more than $500.00 receives a delivery scan ... and USPS provides a signature as the delivery record to the mailer electronically”
>
> — [DMM 503.4.3.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm), checked Oct 19, 2026

Over $500 you can also add Insurance Restricted Delivery ($8.80) to limit delivery to the named addressee ([Restricted Delivery](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/restricted-delivery/)), or a paper return receipt ($4.65). USPS's extra services page says the recipient may have to show ID before delivery. Signature Confirmation can only be combined with insurance of $500 or less (DMM 503 Exhibit 1.4.1).

## Rules that affect what you can insure

- One source only: “Postal insurance may be purchased at only one source for each mailpiece; combining postal insurance from multiple sources is not permitted.” ([DMM 503.4.3.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm))
- No insurance on merchandise sent to people who didn't order it: “Parcels containing matter offered for sale, addressed to prospective purchasers who have not ordered or authorized their sending.” ([DMM 503.4.3.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm))
- Bought at a Post Office, through Click-N-Ship or a USPS-approved PC Postage provider, insurance covers up to $5,000 (DMM 503.4.3.1). For more, see [Registered Mail](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/registered-mail/).
- Insurance fees aren't refunded once USPS accepts the package, even if it's withdrawn (DMM 604.9.2.4).
- USPS encourages handing insured packages to a retail associate (DMM 503.4.3.1).
- Only at mailing: “Insurance may be obtained only at the time of mailing” ([PRC Mail Classification Schedule 1505.9.1](https://www.prc.gov/sites/default/files/mcs/MCS%20Through%2007122026.docx)).
- A scan or a receipt: “In order to be eligible for insurance indemnity, a mailpiece must have received at least one USPS processing scan or the customer must provide proof of insurance” ([DMM 503.4.3.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)).
- Priority Mail's included $100 without a label file: “Priority Mail pieces meeting the requirements under 4.2 ... but not supported by a Shipping Services file must have a full acceptance scan in order to qualify for automatic insurance coverage.” ([DMM 503.4.2](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm))
- Not on Priority Mail Open and Distribute or Premium Forwarding Service, which get no included coverage (DMM 503.4.2; USPS's Priority Mail page).
- Priority Mail Express with the signature waived: “When “signature required” service is not requested or when “waiver of signature” is requested, additional insurance is not available.” ([DMM 503.4.1.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm))
- Cash and negotiable items: “Except for Registered Mail, the maximum indemnity for negotiable items (defined as instruments that can be converted to cash without resort to forgery), currency, or bullion, is $15.00.” ([DMM 609.4.1](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm))
- The $0.80-a-piece bulk insurance discount in Notice 123 is for authorized bulk mailers who meet DMM 503.4.4, including at least 10,000 insured articles a year, and isn't available for insurance bought online (DMM 503.4.3.1).
- Delivery records: “For Insurance articles insured for $500.00 or less, the Postal Service maintains delivery information (not including a signature) for six months.” ([PRC Mail Classification Schedule 1505.9.1](https://www.prc.gov/sites/default/files/mcs/MCS%20Through%2007122026.docx)) Over $500: “For articles insured for more than $500.00, the Postal Service maintains a delivery record (which includes the recipient’s signature) for two years” ([PRC Mail Classification Schedule 1505.9.1](https://www.prc.gov/sites/default/files/mcs/MCS%20Through%2007122026.docx)) ([how long USPS keeps signatures](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/proof-of-delivery/)).

## What insurance cost before

*Insurance fee by coverage band in each Notice 123 edition, read by USPS price code from the Postal Explorer copies.*

| Fee | [Jul 13, 2025](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20250713/Notice123.htm) | [Jan 18, 2026](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260118/Notice123.htm) | [Apr 26, 2026](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260406/Notice123.htm) | [Jul 12, 2026](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260712/Notice123.htm) | [Oct 4, 2026](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm) |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Insurance, $0.01 - $50.00 | $2.70 | $2.70 | $2.70 | $2.80 | $2.80 |
| Insurance, $50.01 - $100.00 | $3.40 | $3.40 | $3.40 | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| Insurance, $100.01 - $200.00 | $4.40 | $4.40 | $4.40 | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| Insurance, $200.01 - $300.00 | $4.45 | $4.45 | $4.45 | $4.55 | $4.55 |
| Insurance, $300.01 - $400.00 | $5.95 | $5.95 | $5.95 | $6.05 | $6.05 |
| Insurance, $400.01 - $500.00 | $7.45 | $7.45 | $7.45 | $7.55 | $7.55 |
| Insurance, $500.01 - $600.00 | $8.95 | $8.95 | $8.95 | $9.05 | $9.05 |
| Insurance, $600.01 - $5,000.00: per $100.00 or fraction thereof over $600 | $1.50 | $1.50 | $1.50 | $1.50 | $1.50 |

## Questions

### How much is USPS insurance for $100?

$3.50 for $50.01 to $100 of coverage. Priority Mail and Ground Advantage labels already include $100.

### How much does it cost to insure a $500 package?

$7.55 for $400.01 to $500 of coverage.

### How much does it cost to insure $1,000?

$15.05: $9.05 for the first $600 plus four steps of $1.50.

### What's the most USPS will insure?

$5,000 with insurance ($75.05). Registered Mail covers up to $50,000 ([Registered Mail](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/registered-mail/)).

### Is the insurance fee refundable?

Not after USPS accepts the package (DMM 604.9.2.4).

### Does buying insurance add to the $100 that comes with Priority Mail?

No. USPS's Priority Mail page says purchased insurance replaces the included insurance, so insure the item's full value.

### Is Media Mail plus insurance cheaper than Ground Advantage?

It depends on weight and zone. Ground Advantage includes $100 of coverage, so compare its online price with Media Mail plus $3.50; the table above shows where each is cheaper.

### Can I add insurance after the package ships?

No. Insurance is bought at the time of mailing (PRC Mail Classification Schedule 1505.9.1; DMM 503.1.4.1). If the label only has the included $100, that is the coverage.

## Related questions

- [What proof of value does USPS accept for an item I sold online?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/proof-of-value/)

  The sale record USPS accepts, and what it pays: value when mailed, depreciation, postage.

- [When should I ship with USPS Registered Mail instead of insurance?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/registered-mail/)

  Up to $50,000 of coverage, and cheaper than insurance on high values, but counter-only.

- [Why was my USPS claim denied, and how do I appeal?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/claim-denied/)

  The DMM 609 denial reasons that catch resellers, and the two 30-day appeals.

- [What is USPS Restricted Delivery, and how much does it cost?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/restricted-delivery/)

  Delivery only to a named person: which services it needs, and every fee.

- [How do I file a USPS insurance claim for a lost or damaged package?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/file-a-claim/)

  Online at usps.com or on PS Form 1000: the window, the evidence and what happens after.

All 20 questions: [USPS claims, refunds and extra services](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/) · [What the included $100 covers](https://resellerindex.com/usps/rules/included-insurance/) · [Does Media Mail include tracking and insurance?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/insurance-and-tracking/) · [Media Mail rates](https://resellerindex.com/rates/media-mail/)

## How we checked this

Fees come from [Notice 123](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm) effective Oct 4, 2026, read on Oct 19, 2026 by USPS's own price code for each fee and matched to the [USPS price file](https://pe.usps.com/resources/PriceChange/Time-Limited%20OCT%202026%20Price%20Change%20-%20Notice%20123%20-%20Final.zip); earlier fees come from the same codes in the Postal Explorer archive editions back to Jul 13, 2025. Every fee on these pages is the same in the Jul 12, 2026 and Oct 4, 2026 editions: the Oct 4 holiday edition changed package postage, not extra-service fees. Rules are quoted word for word from the Domestic Mail Manual sections and usps.com pages listed below, and from the Postal Regulatory Commission's Mail Classification Schedule, fetched on Oct 19, 2026. Package postage in examples is USPS's own price; selling platforms and label services can charge their own.

## Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

- [USPS Notice 123, Price List (effective Oct 4, 2026): Domestic Extra Services and Fees, Other Services](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS price file for that Notice 123 (CSV, final)](https://pe.usps.com/resources/PriceChange/Time-Limited%20OCT%202026%20Price%20Change%20-%20Notice%20123%20-%20Final.zip)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: Extra Services](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)
- [USPS: Priority Mail (included insurance and delivery-date notes)](https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm)
- [USPS: Insurance & Extra Services](https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 604: Postage Payment Methods and Refunds](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm)
- [USPS: Mail & Shipping Services (delivery days by service)](https://www.usps.com/ship/mail-shipping-services.htm)
- [Postal Regulatory Commission: Mail Classification Schedule (revisions through Jul 12, 2026)](https://www.prc.gov/sites/default/files/mcs/MCS%20Through%2007122026.docx)
- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 609: Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/609.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123 effective Jul 13, 2025 (Postal Explorer archive)](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20250713/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123 effective Jan 18, 2026 (Postal Explorer archive)](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260118/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123 effective Apr 26, 2026 (Postal Explorer archive)](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260406/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123 effective Jul 12, 2026 (Postal Explorer archive)](https://pe.usps.com/Archive/NHTML/DMMArchive20260712/Notice123.htm)

Subscribe: https://resellerindex.com/subscribe/

Pricing postage into every listing? The Profit Toolkit, $29 once (our own product)

One Excel workbook you own: the fee calculators for 7 platforms (not TikTok Shop), USPS Media Mail and Ground Advantage tables, a minimum-price builder, a profit log and a monthly P&L. Instant download; refund within 30 days if it doesn't help.

[Buy the Toolkit: $29](https://buy.stripe.com/fZudR97YV8ZB3YL05ogjC03) [See what's inside](https://resellerindex.com/toolkit/)

---

The Reseller Index

Researched and drafted with AI assistance from each platform's and carrier's own published pages. A full-time reseller runs The Reseller Index and will edit every newsletter issue once the newsletter starts. Every number links to its source and carries the date we checked it. Spot an error? [Tell us](https://resellerindex.com/corrections/) and we'll fix it in the public corrections log.

General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by eBay, Amazon, Mercari, Poshmark, Depop, Whatnot, Etsy, TikTok Shop, USPS, the IRS or the software companies whose prices we track; their names belong to them.

Each page shows the date its own rates were last checked. Sponsored placements are always labeled "Sponsored".

© 2026 The Reseller Index. No trackers, no ad cookies.