Starting in 2015, UPS Ground and FedEx Ground/Home Delivery will modify their shipping rates. The current rates are based on the weight of the package, but the new shipping rate method will be based on the size of the package. This pricing program is known as Dimensional Weight Pricing, also referred to as “DIM Weight.”

Stamps.com has released a NEW Dimensional (DIM) Weight Guide. The FREE downloadable PDF includes everything you need to know about DIM Weight including:

• New rates being implemented by UPS and FedEx in 2015
• Description of DIM Weight
• How to Calculate DIM Weight Pricing
• DIM Weights for the 25 Top Selling Box Dimensions
• Benefits of using the USPS, Pricing Examples, Tips to Reduce Costs
• and much more!

DOWNLOAD THE DIM WEIGHT GUIDE NOW!

Sending packages via Military Mail can be tricky, especially when it comes to addressing the shipping label, determining whether or not to include customs forms and also understanding what you can and cannot send to military personnel. Learn how to ship packages to Military Mail APO/FPO/DPO addresses with the USPS.

Stamps.com has released a NEW USPS Military Mail Guide. The FREE downloadable PDF includes information on:

• How to address a shipping label for an APO/FPO/DPO package.
• How Military Mail is processed and if you need to include Customs Forms for your packages.
• What to do in case your Military Mail package goes missing.
• Estimated Delivery Times by Destination and Mail Class.
• Restricted products and specific shipping tips for APO/FPO/DPO packages.
• and much more!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE NOW!

Need more info about the Priority Mail rate changes that are starting on Sunday, September 7, 2014?

Stamps.com has released a Complete Guide to the September 2014 USPS Priority Mail Rate Changes. The FREE downloadable PDF includes:

• New rates by weight and zone for postage purchased at the Post Office (Retail Rates)
• New rates by weight and zone for Commercial Base (Online Postage) pricing
• New rates by weight and zone for Commercial Plus pricing
• Includes Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate and Regional Rates

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE NOW!

As two-day delivery becomes more common with the growth of Amazon Prime, online retailers are being forced to speed up their package delivery and provide free or low-cost shipping to satisfy buyers. And with new prices and products being introduced from the top U.S. shipping carriers each year, optimizing your shipping program is more important than ever in order to keep costs low.

Stamps.com decided to run a head-to-head competition with FedEx, UPS and USPS.  We looked at criteria that e-commerce business owners use to evaluate their shipping programs: reliability, delivery time and cost. Using FedEx Home Delivery, UPS Ground and USPS Priority Mail, we shipped 144 total packages to each shipping zone from three separate locations. Here’s what we found:

FREE! DOWNLOAD the Who’s Winning the Shipping War? white paper

FINDING #1 – PACKAGE TRACKING

• The study measured package scans, the information transmitted back to customers to keep them informed of the whereabouts of their packages.  The total number of package scans were almost identical among all carriers with the USPS at 9.42 scans, FedEx at 10.38 scans and UPS at 9.79 scans.

FINDING #2 – DELIVERY SPEED

• For packages shipped on a Monday, USPS Priority Mail (1.79 days on average) delivered packages almost one full day faster than UPS Ground (2.75 days on average), and about a half day faster than FedEx Home Delivery (2.21 days on average).

FINDING #3 – SHIPPING COSTS

• The average cost to ship a 2 lb. package across all zones is $7.34 for USPS Priority Mail, $10.45 for UPS Ground and $10.40 for FedEx Home Delivery.

• For packages weighing 3 lbs. to 7 lbs. and traveling to Zones 1 to 4, the USPS offered cost savings between $1.37 and $4.29, compared to UPS Ground and FedEx Home Delivery.

• For packages weighing 5 lbs. to 10 lbs. and traveling longer distances (Zones 5 and higher), UPS Ground and FedEx Home Delivery offered cost savings between $0.75 and $17.36 compared to USPS Priority Mail.

METHODOLOGY

The study was based on 144 packages shipped using the USPS, FedEx and UPS. Packages were sent on two different days (Monday and Thursday) to all eight shipping zones from three separate locations (Los Angeles, Chicago and Virginia). For each package, the number of scans, delivery time in transit and total delivery days were tracked. For shipping costs, “earned discounts” of 15% were added and a $2.80 residential surcharge and fuel surcharge for FedEx and UPS were incorporated.  For the USPS shipping costs, Commercial Base (online postage discounts) rates were used.

FREE! DOWNLOAD the Who’s Winning the Shipping War? white paper

Stamps.com has released the 2014 edition of its popular Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide. The PDF guide is FREE – download it now!

When pricing out a package, shippers can select from three types of Priority Mail along with the Flat Rate Padded Envelope. With so many options, finding the lowest rate for your package can be a challenge.

To simplify everything for shippers, Stamps.com created the FREE Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide. The Guide provides rates for each type of Priority Mail by weight and shipping zone. Once you find your package weight and the specific shipping zone your package is being delivered to, you’ll be able to see all the Priority Mail rate options listed in order from lowest price to highest price.

Example of 1 lb. package, shipped to Zones 1 and 2. Note the cheapest option is regular Priority Mail at $5.05

The guide provides you with an easy way to find the lowest Priority Mail cost for your package. Rates are included for regular Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate (boxes and padded envelope) and Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes.

Download the FREE 2014 Priority Mail Rate Comparison Guide (PDF file) now!

NOTE: Click here to find your USPS postal zone. Just input your zip code and you’ll get postal zones across the country for your location.