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Get the latest information on the mailing and shipping industry.

2024 USPS Rate and Service Changes

January 18th, 2024 Comments off

Welcome to our United States Postal Service Updates blog, your guide to the changing postal scene. Here, we’ll share the latest news and rate updates from the USPS. Dive in as we break down the 2024 updates. 

January 2024 Service Changes

Effective January 21st, the USPS is rolling out changes to its shipping rates, which will impact various services and package categories. Stamps remains committed to delivering top-notch service to its customers and is happy to announce that, through our partnership with USPS, customers can now enjoy enhanced discounts on Priority Mail® and Ground Advantage Rates™ compared to Commercial Plus rates.

Here’s an overview of the modifications and how they might impact your shipping and mailing strategies.

Ground Advantage™

  • Ground Advantage™ under 1 pound: Up to 6.6% off
  • Ground Advantage™ over 1 pound: Up to 25.1% off
  • Ground Advantage™ Cubic: Up to 21.2% off

As a reminder, Ground Advantage™ was introduced in July of 2023. This service combines USPS Retail Ground, USPS Parcel Select Ground, and USPS First Class Package Services. The January 21st changes will apply to all weights, zones, and cubic dimensions over 12 ounces using Ground Advantage™.

Priority Mail®

  • Priority Mail 6-10 pounds: Up to 12% off
  • Priority Mail Flat Rate: Up to 2.5% off
  • Priority Mail Cubic: Up to 15.8% off

So where will you see the biggest changes? The short answer: it depends. Exact rates will vary depending on the package details and how far it’s traveling. As always, we recommend comparing rates and services to find the best option for your business. 

Mailing Services

The cost of sending a 1 oz. First Class Mail letter will increase from 66 cents to 68 cents. However, if you use Stamps.com, the Metered Mail rate for the same letter will only go up from 63 cents to 64 cents, saving you $0.04 compared to the retail rate.

USPS Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Label Changes

While the primary focus of this rate adjustment is on shipping rates, it’s crucial to be aware of unrelated changes to HAZMAT labels. Starting January 21st, USPS is enhancing safety measures for handling dangerous goods shipments. The HAZMAT labels will now feature an oversized letter “H” in the corner, the addition of 2D barcodes, and the inclusion of the word “HAZMAT” after “USPS TRACKING #.” Shippers need not take any specific action other than selecting hazardous goods under special services when printing a label when a shipment contains hazardous materials. For more information check out our HAZMAT updates blogs.

Insurance Rate Updates

In addition to the rate adjustments, Stamps.com users should be aware of an increase in their insurance rates. However, depending on your service plan, you could enjoy discounts ranging from 10% to 40% compared to USPS insurance rates.

Enhance Your Efficiency

Despite these changes, Stamps.com continues to offer substantial savings on shipping costs, with discounts of up to 89% through its partnership with USPS and other carriers. We aim to streamline your shipping and mailing operations, providing discounted rates for a smooth sending process.

As the shipping landscape evolves, staying informed about rate changes and adjusting your strategy accordingly can contribute to a more efficient and cost-effective shipping experience. Keep these insights in mind as you navigate the 2024 USPS shipping rate adjustments. For more information check out our help center article.

Print Stamps And Labels On the Go With The Stamps.com Mobile App

November 3rd, 2023 Comments off

Getting through all of your tasks can be hectic, but the Stamps.com Mobile app adds flexibility to your day by making it easy to ship packages or mail letters from anywhere at any time. Our mobile app now allows you to conveniently print discounted USPS® stamps and USPS® and UPS® labels, enabling you to send letters and packages of any weight and any size. Learn how to efficiently manage all your shipping and mailing needs directly from your phone with the new and existing features included with the Stamps.com Mobile app. 

What’s new in the Stamps.com Mobile app?

With the Stamps.com Mobile app, you can now print USPS postage on NetStamps®, print stamps directly onto any envelope, or effortlessly generate shipping labels straight from your phone. This way you don’t have to put off your mailing and shipping tasks until you’re at home or the Post Office™. 

Stamps customers are always on the go. Over half of the traffic to Stamps comes from a mobile device, and now these visitors can mail and ship on their preferred device.

The benefits of the Stamps.com Mobile App

The Stamps.com Mobile app offers a wide range of advantages, making it an essential tool for all your mailing and shipping needs. Here’s why you’ll love using it:

Time-Saving Convenience: Say goodbye to the inconvenience of repeated trips to the Post Office™. With the Stamps.com Mobile app, you can handle all your mailing and shipping tasks from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go. No more wasted time or energy on unnecessary errands.

Significant Shipping Discounts: Take advantage of discounts on postage and savings up to 89% on labels. You’ll be able to compare carrier rates, ensuring you always get the best deal on your shipments.

Easy Printing: Printing stamps and labels for any type of mail or package has never been simpler. The app streamlines the process, eliminating the need for manual calculations and handwritten labels. 

Flexible Account Management: Managing your account is a breeze. You can easily add funds, keeping your account topped off for uninterrupted service. This is especially useful for business owners and individuals who rely on consistent mailing and shipping.

Mobile Accessibility: The app’s mobile accessibility lets you track and manage your mail and shipments on the go, at any time. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the move, you’re always in control of your mailing and shipping activities.

Enhanced Multitasking: We understand that multitasking can be a challenge. You can now focus on your tasks without the constant back-and-forth between your computer and supply area. 

In a nutshell, the Stamps.com Mobile app provides time-saving, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions to streamline your mailing and shipping processes. Say hello to simple and wave goodbye to the hassles of traditional mailing methods.

How the Stamps.com Mobile App works

With the latest enhancements to the Stamps.com Mobile app, the busiest mailers and shippers can take their first printing step while they’re on the move.

How does the Stamps.com Mobile app work? 

  • Go to Stamps.com to create your account.
  • Download the Stamps.com Mobile app for iPhone or Android.
  • Log into your account on the app.
  • Click [CREATE] to create NetStamps®, a shipping label, or an envelope.
  • Add sender and recipient information.
  • Enter the weight, size, and other basic information for your letter or package.
  • Check out rates and choose your preferred carrier and service.
  • Ready to print? Connect your phone to any wireless printer. 
  • Not ready to print? Download a PDF to print later. 
  • No printer? Generate a QR code and bring your item to the Post Office™ where a staff member will quickly scan it. 

Stamps.com is the simplest way to mail letters and ship packages from home, work, and now your phone. Download the app today and start sending.

Categories: Stamps.com Announcements Tags:

5 Tips For Handling Holiday Returns

December 8th, 2023 Comments off

Regardless of the products you sell, returns will always be part of your business. Sometimes, clothing doesn’t fit correctly, a customer accidentally bought the same gift as someone else, or the recipient would prefer a different product. While the reasons may vary, your return policy should be consistent because customers are taking note. 

Our recent study with Retail Economics found that 24% of customers stated inconvenient returns were their biggest concern during the holiday season globally. With almost 1 in 4 customers letting your return policy influence their purchasing decisions, your business can’t afford to ignore customer expectations. We’ve created 5 tips to help businesses of all sizes craft a successful return policy to boost holiday sales and customer satisfaction. 

1. Keep your return policy clear 

Read through your return policy from a customer’s perspective. Are any steps unclear? Would you be able to successfully return a product to your business? If any part of your return policy needs a couple of rereads to understand, rewrite it. Customers should be able to follow your return policy without hesitation; if you can’t follow your return policy, it’s likely your customers can’t either. It also may be worth adding an FAQ section and/or bullet points within your text, so it’s easier for customers to scan. 

On the other hand, too much text can prove to be confusing or difficult to read. Consider using graphics or illustrations to accompany your directions. For example, if you’re going to send customers a return label with their initial purchase, include a picture of a label so they know what to look for. You can even include illustrations or stock images of “customers” completing the return process to make your policy stand out from the competition. 

2. Ask customers for feedback 

Customer feedback is crucial for a business, especially during the holiday season. Asking customers the reason for their return can provide valuable insight for your business. For example, if customers are responding that a shirt doesn’t fit correctly, it may be time to adjust the sizing, description, and photo on your website.

Additionally, if you begin to see feedback around late delivery, you may need to offer different carrier services to better suit your customers’ needs. Our study found that 40% of customers are most concerned about late delivery or packages arriving when no one is home globally, so it’s worth keeping in mind. 

3. Consider offering exchanges 

Say a customer loves the skirt they purchased from your store, but they need a different size or would like a different style. Instead of only offering returns, why not offer exchanges? Not only do exchanges help your business recoup some of the marketing and fulfillment costs spent on promoting and packaging products, but it shows your customers you’re willing to go the extra mile. This leads to increased customer satisfaction, which leads to the increased possibility of repeat business. 

4. Reward quick returns 

Between holiday travel and inclement weather, circumstances outside of your customers’ control can lead to late returns. We recommend extending your return window during the holidays for this very reason. However, you can still reward customers who return products within a shorter timeframe. The longer a customer waits to return their product, the higher the chance a product will have to be discounted and/or can’t be resold. Rewarding customers who can return orders faster will encourage them to do so in the future. 

5. Provide customers with convenient drop-off options 

Life is full of errands, and the holiday season only adds more. Customers may also be visiting friends and family, so they aren’t sure where the closest carrier drop-off locations are. Providing your customers with resources to find carrier drop-off locations helps them to drop off returns more efficiently. This means orders can be returned faster, as customers aren’t having to search for drop-off locations themselves. Most carriers include locator links on their websites that are easy to include on your website as well. 

Ship and mail from anywhere this holiday season with the Stamps.com Mobile App.

Categories: Shipping Tags:

Best Practices for Shipping Toys and Holiday Gifts

December 14th, 2023 Comments off
A person pulls a red and green wrapped present out of a shipping box.

Say you need to ship gifts, like a stuffed animal, a new action figure, or a battery-operated toy car. Easy enough, right? Now, picture this. Your customers go to open their gifts, but the stuffed animal has a cracked eye, the action figure is broken, and the car arrived late because the batteries weren’t properly documented. 

While these are worst-case scenarios, shipping faux pas are possible. Shipping toys may seem straightforward, but there are several packaging requirements and recommendations to be aware of. That’s why we’re giving you the gift of the best practices for shipping holiday toys. Who knows? Santa might even learn a thing or two. 

Ship toys from anywhere at any time with the Stamps.com Mobile app.

How to ship stuffed animals

Stuffed animals are made to be hugged and squeezed. The downside is, that makes them more vulnerable to being squashed in transit. We recommend shipping stuffed animals in boxes as opposed to envelopes to avoid any tearing or other forms of destruction. This box should be big enough for the toy but shouldn’t be oversized. Any extra space should be filled with environmentally friendly cushioning materials. 

We also recommend wrapping your plush in bubble wrap. Some have glass or plastic eyes that could be cracked or scratched throughout their journey. The risk for damage doesn’t stop in transit though. When your package arrives, it may be opened with a box cutter or scissors. Including extra padding will prevent your stuffed animal from suffering any damage at the hands of sharp objects. Lastly, if you plan to use a sealed bag or shrink wrap, clearly mark it with a suffocation warning label for safety purposes. 

How to ship action figures and boxed collectibles

Action figures, Vinyls, and other collectibles come pre-packaged. However, we still recommend shipping them in boxes. Like with stuffed animals, the box should only be slightly larger than the item itself, and any spaces should be filled with cushioning material. 

If the products are breakable or have fragile parts, mark the shipment accordingly. Use orientation arrows to show carriers how the package should be handled, and label the shipment as fragile on the outer packaging. Some of these items only have a limited release or aren’t readily available, so it’s crucial to keep them in the best possible condition. 

Stock up on shipping supplies in the Stamps.com Store.

How to ship batteries 

Some of the most important gifts you can give this holiday season are batteries. They keep remote-control cars racing, robots walking, and dolls talking. However, there are some carrier requirements for shipping batteries to keep in mind. These guidelines and restrictions will vary by carrier, and there are different criteria between domestic and international shipping. We recommend reaching out to your carrier of choice directly with any questions you may have. 

International restrictions 

International shipping restrictions and guidelines may differ from domestic shipping restrictions. For example, NERF blasters can’t be shipped to the UK, and non-wooden toys can’t be shipped to Italy. Understanding these restrictions before shipping your package prevents lengthy delays, returned shipments, and potential fees. International shipping restrictions may differ from carrier to carrier, so contact your carrier before shipping any products. 

Shipping toys safely with Stamps.com 

Shipping deadlines are getting closer by the day, meaning there’s less time to guarantee packages will arrive for the holidays. Without the option to send a replacement gift, how can you ensure packages arrive safe and sound? Stamps.com customers can enable Ship Notification Emails, so recipients know when shipments are arriving. You can even customize Branded Ship Notification Emails to showcase your logo and highlight any holiday deals. Stamps.com shippers can also resend tracking information via email whenever needed/available. These emails help customers make arrangements if they’ll be away when packages arrive or can’t bring them inside upon delivery. 

While the holiday season does bring cheer and goodwill, it unfortunately also brings an increase in package theft. Tracking may help customers plan for delivery, but sometimes, there are circumstances outside of everyone’s control. That’s why it’s always better to plan ahead with shipping insurance. Some carrier services include coverage, but shipping through Stamps.com gives you the option to add more insurance with our partner, ParcelGuard™. ParcelGuard™ works with all of our offered carriers, and they’ll handle any claims, regardless of the carrier you used. 

Tips for shipping toys 

  • Enable notification emails and resend tracking information whenever needed.
  • Ship products in boxes that are slightly larger than the item but aren’t oversized.
  • Purchase additional insurance for high-cost or limited-edition items for more coverage.  
  • Fill any gaps between your toy and the box with cushioning materials to prevent movement. 
  • Reach out to your carrier about international shipping restrictions and battery guidelines before shipping. 
  • Mark fragile items as such and use orientation arrows to show carriers how the box should be placed. 

It may be the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean you should give yourself unnecessary shipping stressors. Action figures and stuffed animals may come with fragile or breakable parts. But, as long as you package them with additional cushioning and wrapping, they’re more likely to make it through transit unscathed. Batteries may require documentation, but carriers provide online resources and can answer any questions you may have. The same goes for international shipping. When it comes to shipping toys, action figures, and accessories like batteries, it may require a little extra effort. However, the joy these items bring is worth it, and your customers will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Give yourself the gift of a risk-free trial to Stamps.com.

Holiday Support and USPS Hours 2023

November 2nd, 2023 Comments off
Happy holidays from Stamps.com

Everyone at Stamps.com wishes you a happy holiday season! As you’re preparing for the holiday shipping season, we want to share our holiday support hours as well as information about USPS and UPS holiday closures and changes in services.

Thursday, November 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day)

Stamps.com Support: Open for normal business hours (6 AM – 6 PM PST) with limited support for basic troubleshooting and support needs.

USPS: Regular hours and operations

UPS: UPS Express Critical® is available.

Friday, November 24, 2023

Stamps.com Support: Normal business hours (6 AM – 6 PM PST) 

USPS: Regular hours and operations 

UPS: Regular hours and operations

Sunday, December 24, 2023 (Christmas Eve)

Stamps.com Support: Closed

USPS: 

  • Local Post Offices will be open. They may have extended, normal, or limited hours: Check your local Post Office location for specific hours.
  • Blue Collection Boxes: Mail may be picked up earlier than usual. Drop off your mail before noon (even if the final collection time posted on the box is later). If you need a later mail pickup, go to your local Post Office.
  • Regular mail will be delivered.

UPS: 

  • UPS® Domestic Ground, Air, and International are closed. 
  • The UPS Store® has limited locations open. Check with your store for hours of operation. 
  • UPS Express Critical® is available.

Monday, December 25, 2023 (Christmas Day)

Stamps.com Support: Open for normal business hours (6 AM – 6 PM PST) with limited support for basic troubleshooting and support needs

USPS: 

  • Local Post Office locations will be closed.
  • Blue Collection Boxes: Mail will not be picked up.
  • Regular mail will not be delivered.
  • Priority Mail Express® mail will be delivered.* 

*Note: This applies to limited locations. For more information, visit USPS’s website.

UPS: 

  • UPS® Domestic Ground, Air, and International are closed. 
  • The UPS Store® locations are closed. 
  • UPS Express Critical® is available.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 (New Year’s Eve)

Stamps.com Support: Closed

USPS

  • Local Post Offices will be open. They may have extended, normal, or limited hours: Check your local Post Office location for specific hours.
  • Blue Collection Boxes: Mail may be picked up earlier than usual. Drop off your mail before noon (even if the final collection time posted on the box is later). If you need a later mail pickup, go to your local Post Office.
  • Regular mail will be delivered.

UPS: 

  • UPS® Domestic Ground, Air, and International are closed. 
  • The UPS Store® has limited locations open. Check with your store for hours of operation. 
  • UPS Express Critical® is available.

Monday, January 1, 2024 (New Year’s Day)

Stamps.com Support: Open for normal business hours (6 AM – 6 PM PST) with limited support for basic troubleshooting and support needs

USPS: 

  • Local Post Office locations will be closed.
  • Blue Collection Boxes: Mail will not be picked up.
  • Regular mail will not be delivered.
  • Priority Mail Express® mail will be delivered.

UPS: 

  • UPS® Domestic Ground, Air, and International are closed. 
  • The UPS Store® locations are closed. 
  • UPS Express Critical® is available.

Ship and mail from anywhere at any time with the help of the Stamps.com mobile app.

Categories: Customer Support Tags:

Shipping for Holiday Success

December 6th, 2023 Comments off
Shipping For Holiday Success

The holiday season is once again upon us, which means an increase in orders is right around the corner. The busier you become, the easier it is to make mistakes like taking incorrect measurements or leaving old labels on the packaging. These mistakes can lead to costly adjustments and/or returned packages. With shipping deadlines in place and increased shipping volumes for carriers, you don’t have time to waste reshipping orders. That’s why Stamps.com and UPS are here with some reminders to help you avoid additional fees. 

Note: These surcharges can be applied year-round, not just during the holiday season.

Check your packaging before reusing 

If your packaging seems unstable or flimsy, it’s okay to retire and recycle it. USPS and UPS each offer some free shipping supplies on their websites that can be ordered directly to your home or business. You can also order certain USPS shipping supplies directly from your Stamps.com account. 

If your packaging is sturdy enough to be reused, look for any old labels and/or other special markings (hazardous material stickers, perishable content warnings, etc…). Remove anything that doesn’t apply to your new shipment to avoid getting any extra fees for incorrect packaging or additional handling your package didn’t actually need. Your orders will get to their destinations without additional delays, and your shipping budget won’t suffer. 

Use the correct packaging for your orders 

During the holiday season, orders range from breakables like coffee mugs to treats like chocolates. One is obviously more fragile than the other, but both items can handle their journey with some extra support. Wrap your items and surround any gaps between your items and the outer packaging with Kraft paper or other recyclable materials. We recommend using pressure-sensitive plastic or nylon-reinforced tape that’s at least 2 inches/5.08 centimeters wide. This way, your package is well-sealed, and there’s less of a chance that someone will open a broken gift on Christmas morning. 

Keep your holiday shipping merry and bright with a risk-free trial to Stamps.com.

Confirm your shipment’s dimensions

We can’t stress this enough: double-check all of your shipment’s dimensions before entering them — Santa even checks his list twice. Measure the length, width, and height of your package multiple times, and round up the weight of your shipment to the nearest pound when needed, so you can better avoid charge corrections for your shipments. If/when your shipment isn’t a traditional shape, take a picture of its dimensions, just in case you need them later. We’ve included information about some of the commonly issued additional fees below. 

  • Additional Handling – Non-standard packages require extra care when moving through UPS Operations and are subject to additional surcharges. Such examples include, but are not limited to:
    • Any article that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container
    • Any package with an outer shipping container covered in shrink wrap or stretch wrap
    • Cylindrical tubes/packages
    • Packages bound by metal/plastic/cloth
    • Packages < 1 inch in a single dimension
    • Packages with the longest side exceeding 48 inches or its second-longest side exceeding 30 inches
  • Large Package – Large packages require special care and are subject to additional surcharges when the package meets the specifications below. An Additional Handling Charge will not be assessed when a Large Package Surcharge is applied.
    • Packages can be up to 90 pounds
    • Packages can be up to 130 inches in length and girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined
    • Packages can be up to 96 inches in length
  • Over Maximum Size – Over Max shipments are packages that are not compatible with the UPS system and should be shipped via another shipping method. Confirm your packages follow the guidelines below to avoid having a shipment returned as well as an additional surcharge applied:
    • Packages can be up to 150 pounds
    • Packages can be up to 165 inches in length and girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined
    • Packages can be up to 108 inches in length

As a reminder, to support SMBs, UPS will not apply Demand Surcharges to merchants on Stamps.com†. 

Dimensional Weight 

Sometimes, the actual weight of your package may not be the weight your shipment is charged for. Dimensional weight reflects a package’s volume, which is the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight. This means the weight is based on your package’s dimensions instead of the weight you see when you place your shipment on the scale. You can determine whether the dimensional weight or actual weight will be used to determine your shipping cost in a couple of steps: 

  1. Calculate your package’s volume by multiplying the length, width, and height together 
  2. (L x W x H) 
  1. If this number is smaller than 1728, your shipping costs will be determined by the shipment’s actual weight
  2. If the number is larger than 1728, you’ll divide it by a carrier-specific number to determine the DIM weight 
  3. For USPS and UPS on Stamps.com shipments, divide this volume by 166
  4. For FedEx shipments, divide this number by 139 

How does adding UPS Shipping to your Stamps.com account help you save money?

Stamps.com customers should already have UPS available as a carrier when they open their account. However, to add UPS as a carrier: 

Go to “Settings” > Select “Common” then “Carrier” > Add New Carrier > Click “UPS” 

Adding UPS as a carrier gives you even more carrier options to choose from with our Rate Advisor, so you can find the most affordable rate for your mailing and shipping needs. Start taking advantage of all these benefits when you ship with UPS on Stamps.com, including up to 78% off on UPS®Ground shipments, up to 73% for UPS 2nd Day Air® service, and UPS Next Day Air® service, and up to 82% off international services*. 

The best gift to receive this holiday season is the gift of no avoidable extra shipping charges. Removing old labels, using durable packaging, and double-checking all shipment measurements are all notable ways to reduce your chances of receiving these charges. Also, adding UPS®  Shipping to your Stamps.com account will help you save on your shipping costs through the holiday season and beyond. 

Trim your tree and shipping costs this holiday season by signing up for Stamps.com

*Discounts off UPS® Daily Rates. Rates are limited to shipping from the U.S. only. Rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.

†Demand Surcharges are not applied only to accounts opened on Stamps.com

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