Some Post Offices Extend Hours on April 15

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

blog_april-15-taxesToday is Tax Day!  As long as your return is postmarked by April 15th, the IRS considers your return to be filed on time. Some Post Offices will be open late today to help get your tax return postmarked by the April 15th deadline.

USPS Post Office Locator Tool
The USPS has created a Post Office locator tool to help find a Post Office near you that has extended hours!

Click Here
and input your Zip Code to find a Post Office in your area open later than 6 p.m.

Image: Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Quick Tip: Send Your Tax Return via Certified Mail

September 24th, 2014 Comments off
Quick Tip: Send Your Tax Return via Certified Mail™
Mailing in your tax return? Use Certified Mail to obtain proof that your tax return was accepted by the USPS®, delivered, and signed for. When you use this service, the USPS offers a mailing receipt, provides delivery information, and maintains a copy of the recipient’s signature for two years. Additionally, you can request a Return Receipt for a copy of the signature. In the event of any dispute regarding mailing dates, Certified Mail has you covered… and so does Stamps.com!
Process Certified Mail in just a few clicks with Stamps.com
The days when you had to go to the Post Office™ and manually fill out Certified Mail forms are long gone. Stamps.com lets you complete every step from your computer in a just a few clicks. Our software gives you access to simple, automated Certified Mail forms. You can even print postage and addresses in one step. Want to confirm the delivery of your tax return? Our software automatically records your tracking number for Certified Mail, so you can verify delivery online. Return Receipt? Stamps.com does that, too. Sending Certified Mail has never been easier.
Click here to learn how to send Certified Mail with Stamps.com

blog_certified-mailMailing in your tax return? Use Certified Mail with Return Receipt to obtain proof that your tax return was accepted by the USPS®, delivered, and signed for. When you use this service, the USPS offers a mailing receipt, provides delivery information, and maintains a copy of the recipient’s signature for two years. Additionally, you can request a Return Receipt (electronic or postcard) for a copy of the signature. In the event of any dispute regarding mailing dates, Certified Mail has you covered… and so does Stamps.com!

blog_certified_mail_letterAutomate the Certified Mail process
With Stamps.com, all our customers can print postage for Certified Mail and fill out the standard USPS Certified Mail and Return Receipt forms, or make Certified Mail even easier with our wide selection of automated forms.

With Stamps.com’s automated forms, only available to our Premier members, you’ll never have to handwrite another Certified Mail form or go to the Post Office again! When you use Stamps.com’s automated Certified Mail forms, you can print postage, address and all Certified Mail requirements (including a mailing receipt or Return Receipt) in one simple step. You can print on our easy-to-use #11 Certified Mail envelopes or our highly-flexible label forms, which can be used on regular envelopes, flats or packages.

Learn more about sending Certified Mail with Stamps.com

Free: 2013 USPS Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide

September 24th, 2014 Comments off
Stamps.com has released the 2013 version of its popular Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide.
Using an easy-to-use table with Priority Mail prices listed from lowest to highest by weight and zone, the free guide can help shippers view all shipping options and rates to help identify opportunities for greater cost savings.
– Box types classified as Flat Rate, Regional Rate or regular Prioirty Mail
– Easier identification of low to high
Stamps.com has released the 2013 version of its popular FREE Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide (PDF file).
2013_pmrg_sm
Using an easy-to-use table with Priority Mail prices listed from lowest to highest by weight and zone, the free guide can help shippers view all shipping options and rates to help identify opportunities for greater cost savings.
2013_pmrg_grid_sm
New for 2013: Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelopes have been added!

New Features of Stamps.com Version 10.1 (Video)

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

Stamps.com has released a new version our award winning postage software, PC Postage Version 10.1.  The software introduces new USPS products and services that increase cost savings and time efficiency for small business owners and shippers.

Features include postage printing for Parcel Select and Express Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelopes, hidden postage for international shipments and the addition of new USPS services including Electronic Return Receipt and Hold for Pick-up.

Download Stamps.com Version 10.1 for FREE at: http://www.stamps.com/download/

International Shipping Restrictions

September 24th, 2014 Comments off

Know what products are allowed into a country BEFORE you ship!

prohibited-symbol2Every country has restrictions as to what products they will allow into their borders. Often times these restrictions are based on cultural or religious beliefs for the local community.  Other times, the restrictions are enacted to protect local industry.

Each country’s list can be very complex and can change quickly based on political or public safety issues.

Make sure you know if the products you sell are on a restricted list BEFORE you start selling to a specific country.  Buyers are often unaware of their country restrictions and can purchase products from sellers who have not done the proper research.  This mistake can become costly as Customs will normally seize any restricted products — you then are out the product and shipping costs and your buyer is unhappy and could leave negative feedback.

Odd Prohibited Items from Select Countries:

Germany

Playing cards

Italy

Clocks, shoes, non-wood toys

Ireland

Straw hats

China

Used clothing

Mexico

Jewelry

Canada

Wine, pens valued over $5

Norway

Pharmaceutical products of any kind

Turkey

Cosmetic products

Peru

Used Tires

If you are a Stamps.com customer, the program makes international shipping easy with real-time restrictions on the “International” tab for all 180 countries the USPS delivers to.  Or you can get more info from the Postal Explorer.

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