Get the latest information on the mailing and shipping industry.
In order to keep your customer satisfaction high during the busiest time of the year, it’s crucial to communicate holiday shipping deadlines to your customers. As a quick reminder, holiday shipping deadlines are the last dates to send a package with your chosen carrier for it to reach its destination by the holidays.
Applying these holiday shipping deadlines to services allows carriers to account for the higher shipping volume, ensuring your customer’s orders are under the tree and into stockings on time. The earlier you let your customers know, the better the customer experience…and the better the chance of getting great customer reviews and engagement during the holiday season.
Shipping deadlines will vary by the carrier and service, but most carrier deadlines range from 6-12 days before December 25th. It’s also important to note that domestic and international services each have their own set of shipping deadlines, so keep this in mind when preparing your holiday shipments. The domestic shipping deadlines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx can all be found below.
As a commitment to Stamps customers, UPS will not apply the recently announced Demand Surcharges†. Take advantage of discounts of up to 78% off on UPS® Ground shipments, up to 73% for UPS Next Day Air® and UPS 2nd Day Air® service, and up to 82% off on international services, with rates that include Fuel Surcharge and Residential Surcharge for all services and Delivery Area Surcharge for domestic services.*
*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. Terms and conditions apply.
†Demand Surcharges are not applied to accounts opened on Stamps.
In addition to these dates, USPS has confirmed that there will be no additional surcharges during the upcoming holiday season. This means that customers can fully enjoy the benefits of USPS services without worrying about unexpected costs.
All of the wonderful individuals who sort, handle, and deliver our mail and packages deserve a break during the busy holiday season too! Shipping holidays are designated days where postal workers, delivery drivers, and other people within this field are given time off and most or all services are suspended for the day. The shipping holidays for USPS, UPS, and FedEx are all outlined in the lists below.
*Note: We’re only including the USPS holidays for the holiday season. A full list of USPS shipping holidays can be found on their website.
*Note: We’re only including the UPS holidays for the holiday season. A full list of UPS shipping holidays can be found on their website.
✝Some of The UPS Store® locations may have modified business hours. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.
You’ve communicated shipping deadlines to your customers. How else can you continue to improve customer satisfaction during the busiest shipping season of the year? Stamps.com merchants can enable branded ship notifications and branded tracking to give customers a personalized experience.
Branded ship notifications allow your business to customize emails with your logo, preferred color scheme, and more. Additionally, your business can add social media links and promo messages to give customers access to special deals. Similar to branded ship notifications, branded tracking is a more personalized alternative to a traditional carrier tracking page. Our branded options can be enabled and customized throughout the year, so you aren’t limited to one specific message. Create shipping notifications in advance and cross another item off your to-do list, all while keeping the holiday season merry and bright for your customers.
Make the holidays merry and bright with a 30-day trial to Stamps.com.
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.
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 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.
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?
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.
Our recent study with Retail Economics found that 88% of customers plan to make their holiday purchases online globally. With a percentage this high, your business should sell products through at least one online marketplace. The holiday season is quickly approaching, so the sooner you can set up an online marketplace, the better. If you aren’t sure where to begin or are unsure about what an online marketplace is, we’ll get you selling online in no time.
Simply put, an online marketplace is a website where merchants can sell their products to customers. Online marketplaces serve as an organized location for shoppers to search for and compare products. Customers can leave reviews and even create carts or wish lists for future purchases. Online marketplaces are becoming increasingly popular because customers can purchase products within a matter of clicks Additionally, some marketplaces offer refurbishment and/or authenticity guarantees, so customers don’t have to worry about buying imitation or faulty products.
Marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have become two of the most well-known and most-used online marketplaces. In fact, 42% of Gen Z shoppers and 40% of Millennials say that they use marketplaces for convenience globally. Between easy browsing and an increasing customer base, your business can only benefit from selling online.
We’ve discussed the basics of online marketplaces, but what are some of the biggest benefits? You should consider using online marketplaces because:
15% of the customers we surveyed stated that the visibility of delivery was the most important factor when shopping online, and the merchants we surveyed believe that only 9% of customers care. Providing customers with tracking information can help your business stand out from the competition and better align with customer expectations.
Stamps.com merchants can customize branded ship notification emails for customers. These emails can include sales or promotional materials, your business’s logo and social media links, and other personalized details. Customers can not only track their shipments, but you can promote your business and special deals at the same time.
Once you’ve decided which online marketplace(s) are right for your business, you can connect them to your Stamps.com. Stamps.com offers integrations for major marketplaces like:
Stamps.com directly integrates with these marketplaces, meaning orders in an eligible status will be pulled onto the orders page. You can also check for orders by clicking the refresh button on your dashboard. To connect a new marketplace to your Stamps.com account, follow the instructions below:
Online marketplaces don’t have to be complicated or daunting. With direct integrations to Stamps.com and shipping notifications for eligible stores, you can streamline your online selling process. Other tips to keep in mind when selling online are:
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As the holiday shopping season quickly approaches, our recent study in partnership with Retail Economics shows that 44% of US customers are still concerned about inflation going into the holiday season. According to our partner, Retail Economics, North American customers will spend $183 billion on holiday shopping through online marketplaces. And your business deserves to be included in those sales! Customer preferences for the holiday shipping season have been made known, and your business still has time to incorporate their feedback before the holiday rush.
It may seem early, but 41% of shoppers plan to start their holiday shopping before October. With early bird shopping well underway, your business needs to start holiday preparations as soon as possible. Marketing to early holiday shoppers is beneficial because it not only has the potential to boost current sales, but it also gives your business the opportunity to test marketing strategies. Pay close attention to which coupon codes seem to be redeemed more than others and which items they’re being used for. It’ll come in handy when more customers begin their holiday shopping and during big shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
If you aren’t sure where or how to begin, we recommend customizing the branded ship notification emails feature within your Stamps.com account. Branded ship notifications let your business add promo materials to shipment confirmation emails. Adding exclusive sales to reward early shoppers increases the likelihood of a repeat customer base. Additionally, testing sales materials early is a good way to see what works and what doesn’t before the holiday season officially begins.
To personalize branded ship notification emails:
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With Christmas landing on a Monday, there may be an increased demand for expedited shipping options. Our study found that 61% of customers are willing to pay $9 more for same-day delivery when placing orders between $40-$60. Many customers are buying stocking stuffers, family gifts, friend gifts, and more, meaning this purchasing threshold isn’t uncommon.
Expedited shipping options are carrier services that offer a faster delivery window than traditional services. These services include overnight shipping, where a customer receives a package the day after it’s ordered (or two days if the item was ordered after the shipping cutoff on the first day). We understand that offering these options may not be available for your small business. As a compromise, it might be worth offering services with guaranteed service delivery options. This way, there’s an available refund option if a package doesn’t arrive within the guaranteed delivery window.*
Additionally, communicating shipping deadlines is crucial. Shipping deadlines are the last dates a package can be shipped and still arrive in time for Christmas. Offering premium shipping options is expensive. But, if your business shares shipping deadlines for the carrier services you provide customers, it’ll decrease the chance of customer dissatisfaction, increasing the chance for repeat business.
*Note: These delivery guarantees might fluctuate during the holiday season, so we recommend reaching out to your carrier directly.
To determine the best shipping options for your business, Stamps.com users have access to our rate advisor. Our rate advisor allows you to compare rates through three different categories: cheapest, recommended, and fastest. These rates are populated based on the shipment information entered, and you’re able to filter by carrier, delivery window, packaging, and price. This way, you can find the best rate for your business and still meet customer expectations.
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Our study shows that holiday purchases made through online marketplaces have the potential to reach $253 billion globally, with, as we mentioned earlier, $183 billion of this amount coming from North America. If you’ve been hesitant to sell on marketplaces like Amazon in the past, now’s the time to start. Stamps.com users can easily integrate stores and marketplaces into their accounts so that eligible orders show on the orders screen.
With eligible orders automatically imported to your Stamps.com, it’s easy to create labels and packing slips. After your labels are printed, we’ll send the tracking information to Amazon, so they can send shipment confirmation emails to your customers. Amazon offers seller support within the seller portal for additional help with Amazon questions, and Stamps.com users can reach our support team via phone from Monday-Friday, 6am-6pm PT at 1-855-889-7867 or via email, with a 1-2 business day response time.
Amazon has announced that October Prime Day(s) will return this October 10th-11th, giving your business the opportunity for a test run. Early holiday shoppers will more than likely take advantage of Prime Day deals, so it’ll also help your business predict popular holiday items. Keep an eye on which items are flying off the shelf vs the ones that are collecting dust, and use these trends when planning holiday inventory.
All of the upcoming holiday gatherings may mean your customers aren’t home whenever packages are set to arrive. Our study found that 37% of customers are worried about packages being stolen, so it’s time to make shipping insurance a priority. Most carriers include either insurance or declared value with their services. These insurance options are usually around $100-$200, depending on the service, but some services do come with the option to purchase supplemental coverage. If a package is damaged or lost, you can file a claim to see if you’re eligible for reimbursement.
For high-value items, it’s also worth considering extra third-party shipping coverage from providers like our partner, ParcelGuard™. The cost of ParcelGuard will vary by the amount of coverage added to a shipment and can be added in the Mail or Orders tab; it’s also charged in the cost of your label, so there’s no need to worry about invoicing or surprise charges. ParcelGuard claims are filed electronically and through your Stamps.com account. Give your customers the gift of security this holiday season and offer shipping coverage options.
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This holiday season is on track to be a big one for ecommerce merchants. Customers are already preparing their shopping lists, and some are already shopping. Here are a few ways you can make sure this holiday season is a prosperous one:
Keep the holiday season merry and bright with a trial to Stamps.com.
Posters can be found anywhere from college dorm rooms to home offices. Whether a poster is autographed and special edition or simply a reprint of someone’s favorite movie, they can easily tear or suffer damage in transit. USPS does offer free small and medium poster tubes, but shipping posters also requires understanding how to package them to avoid ripping. Keep posters and your shipping process intact, all while using Stamps.com to help.
USPS currently offers free small and medium poster tubes. Each size can be used with Priority Mail® or Priority Mail Express® services and can be ordered from USPS in packs of 10 or 20. These cardboard tubes can be shipped directly to your home and/or business for free.
These tubes and other supplies can also be ordered through your Stamps.com account. To order free USPS supplies:
That’s it! Your supplies should arrive within 7-10 days of order. To order larger quantities of items, call USPS directly at 1-800-610-8734.
The tracking included with free USPS Priority Mail® tubes is the same tracking included with other Priority Mail® packaging and services. Packages can be tracked door-to-door, meaning your customer can track a package from the time of label creation to delivery.
While posters aren’t necessarily fragile items, they’re still delicate and can be bent, ripped, and damaged. The key to preventing posters from being harmed in transit is all in the packaging and customer communication.
Stamps.com keeps shipping posters simple. You aren’t required to scroll through multiple package types when shipping tubes. Select “packages” as the mailpiece type. Additionally, you can utilize automation rules to automate your shipping workflow. Create a rule to automatically apply Priority Mail®, package dimensions, and “package” as the mailpiece type to orders, so your posters are easier to ship.
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