International buyers will make up 86% of the e-commerce market in 2015, according to eMarketer.  With the demand for American-made products higher than ever, e-commerce sellers in the U.S. cannot afford to ignore the growing segment of international customers that is expected to reach a record high of 1.06 billion buyers in 2015.

Check’s out Stamps.com’s new eBook (PDF), Complete Guide to USPS International Shipping to get a comprehensive understanding of how to ship packages across the world using the USPS.

The FREE downloadable eBook (PDF) includes information on:

– How International Shipping Works
– USPS International Mail Classes
– Packaging Tips for International Delivery
– USPS Customs Forms
– International Product Restrictions
– International Shipping Tips
– and much more …

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE NOW!

With Dimensional (DIM) Weight being applied for all UPS and FedEx Ground packages, USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes provide a cost effective option to ship products across the U.S.  The USPS provides three different types of Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes:  Box A with a weight limit of 15 lbs., Box B with a weight limit of 20 lbs. and Box C with a weight limit of 25 lbs.

The Benefits of Regional Rate Boxes

There are many advantages to using USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes:

– No DIM Weight: DIM Weight does not apply to Regional Rate Boxes.  That means you need not worry about the dimensions of the Regional Rate box you choose.  As long as your item is below the weight limit for the Regional Rate Box you choose, you simply need to find the rate that applies to your shipping zone. 

Listed below is the 2015 USPS Commercial Base (online postage) pricing for Regional Rate Boxes.  An additional $0.75 fee applies if you purchase Regional Rate postage at the Post Office.

– Low Costs Nationwide: Regional Rate Boxes provide a cost effective alternative to using Regular Priority Mail or Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes.  With dimensions almost similar to that of a Priority Mail Flat Rate Medium Box, Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A can save you up to $3.55 per package.  When shipping multiple packages every day, these savings can really add up!  See a cost savings example below – USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A provides the lowest cost option to ship a 3 lb. package from Los Angeles to New York (Zone 8 shipment).

– No Cost To Purchase Regional Rate Boxes: The USPS provides Regional Rate Boxes for free and you do not need to pay anything extra to use any of these boxes for your shipments.  Pick up your free Regional Rate boxes at the Post Office or visit usps.com to order them online.

Shipping Regional Rate Boxes With Stamps.com

Stamps.com customers can easily print Priority Mail Regional Rate shipping labels.  Once the destination address is inputted, Stamps.com automatically determines the correct zone-based pricing for your package by instantly accessing the USPS database, preventing you from ever overpaying or underpaying the shipping fee.

You can even order your free Regional Rate Boxes from within Stamps.com.  Simply log in to your Stamps.com account, click on “Store” and click on “Free USPS Supplies.”  The USPS will send the free Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes right to your door!

As of May 31, 2015, USPS Tracking can now be added for FREE to Media Mail packages.  Prior to the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase, it would cost $1.05 to add USPS Tracking if purchased at the Post Office and $0.23 if purchased online with Stamps.com.

No Action Needed For Stamps.com Customers

Stamps.com customers do not need to make any changes to their shipping processes to access free USPS Tracking for their Media Mail packages.  Simply navigate to the “Packages” tab and select “Media Mail” in the drop-down menu for mail class.  You will notice Tracking is included for FREE.

Lowest Cost Option For Packages That Qualify

With USPS Tracking now included for free, USPS Media Mail still remains the lowest cost option for qualifying items like books, CDs, DVDs etc.  If your package qualifies, you can save big with Media Mail.

On Sunday, May 31 2015, the USPS introduced zone-based pricing for Priority Mail International packages being shipped to Canada.  Previously, shipping rates for each country were based on package weight alone.  However, with the new change, distance has also become a factor in determining the shipping rate for Priority Mail International packages being routed to Canada.

How does Priority Mail International for Canada Work?

Depending on the origin zip code of the package, your shipment is assigned one of 7 pricing zones, that are numbered between 1.1 and 1.8.  This pricing zone along with the weight of your package determines the shipping rate.

Prior to the 2015 USPS Rate Increase, the shipping rate only depended on the weight of your package.  As of May 31, 2015, the shipping zone is also considered in determining the shipping rate of your package.  The table below shows 2015 Commercial Base (Online Postage) rates for Priority Mail International packages weighing up to 5 lbs. that are being shipped to Canada.

With Priority Mail International, you can send shipments of up to 66lbs. to Canada.

Stamps.com Customers Must Upgrade to Version 13.0

In order to print online postage (Commercial Base rates) for Priority Mail International shipments to Canada, Stamps.com customers must upgrade to Version 13.0 or use Stamps.com Online.

Download Stamps.com Version 13.0 now.

The USPS is implementing the 2015 Postage Rate Increase on Sunday, May 31st.  Check out Stamps.com’s 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide to understand what the changes are and how your mailing and shipping processes may be impacted.

The FREE downloadable PDF Guide includes details on the USPS rate changes for each mail class – both domestic and international – and special USPS services.  Additionally, the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide provides tips and recommendations on when each mail class should be used along with a comprehensive Q&A to help with commonly asked questions around the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase.

The guide is free and can be downloaded at: http://www.stamps.com/whitepapers/2015-usps-postage-rate-increase-guide.pdf.