Stamps.com Customers Can Continue to Buy & Print All USPS Services

February 27th, 2019 Comments off

Here are answers to common questions regarding Stamps.com and the ability to print USPS postage:

Are USPS Services being removed from Stamps.com?
Absolutely not!  Nothing changes in Stamps.com services and features that we offer, including USPS postage printing.  Stamps.com will continue to operate as an officially licensed PC Postage vendor, and all USPS services will be available for our customers.


Will Stamps.com continue to offer USPS rate discounts?
Yes!  Stamps.com customers will be able to access all existing USPS rate discounts (Commercial Base Pricing) when they print postage.  And those discounts include access to the Metered Mail rate for First Class Mail letters – paying only $0.50 for a one-ounce letter vs. $0.55 at the Post Office.

USPS rate discounts that Stamps.com offers include:

USPS Shipping Rate Discounts

  • Priority Mail Express® – Save up to 14% off Post Office rates on all Priority Mail Express shipments.
  • Priority Mail® – Save up to 40% off Post Office rates on all Priority Mail shipments, depending on weight and distance.
  • First Class Package Service – Save up to 28% off Post Office rates on all First Class Parcels.
  • International Shipping – Save up to 5% on Priority Mail International shipments, up to 5% for Priority Mail Express International and up to 5% on First Class Package International Service.

USPS Mailing Rate Discounts

  • First Class Mail Letter – Save five cents and pay only $0.50 for a one-ounce First Class Mail letter compared to $0.55 at the Post Office.


Can I still print labels for USPS First Class Package Service with Stamps.com?
Yes!  Nothing is changing to the Stamps.com service and USPS First Class Package Service will remain the best low cost shipping option for packages under 15.999 ounces among all shipping carriers.


Are any of the e-commerce integrations with marketplaces (eBay, Amazon, etc.) or shopping cart integrations (Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, etc.) going away from Stamps.com?
Nothing is changing – e-commerce sellers and online retailers will continue to be able to import their orders directly into Stamps.com to print USPS shipping labels.   See a full list of Stamps.com E-commerce Integrations.


Will there be any additional costs to use Stamps.com?
Most customers will see no change in costs to use Stamps.com.  For a limited group of high volume customers that have specialized negotiated rates with the USPS (also known as Negotiated Service Agreements or “NSA”), we will look at implementing surcharges as needed so that we are compensated for the technology and services we provide.


How does Stamps.com’s relationship with the USPS impact me as a customer?
For most customers, there will be no change to the Stamps.com product – the solution will continue to print USPS postage as it always has.  In the future, you may see additional shipping carriers as an option to print shipping labels.


Will the Stamps.com shipping API change?
The Stamps.com API is the #1 USPS postage API in the industry.  Customers will continue to be able to rate, ship, print and track USPS packages from our SOAP based web services API.  Get more info on our USPS Shipping API program.

Categories: USPS News Tags: , ,

USPS 2019 Rate Increase FAQ

February 6th, 2019 Comments off

 

At Stamps.com we often receive questions about the annual USPS postage rate increase. To help clarify some of the questions we get most, we’ve compiled this FAQ.

 

When did the new USPS rates start?

The 2019 USPS postage rate increase went into effect on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

When printing postage online for letters, do I get a discounted rate?

Yes, customers who print postage using Stamps.com save 5 cents per letter, paying only $0.50 instead of $0.55 (Post Office rate) – a 9% savings! This discount is known as the “Metered Mail rate” and is available for all postage printed using an approved PC Postage/online postage vendor such as Stamps.com.

I printed $0.47 “Metered Mail rate” NetStamps with Stamps.com in 2018. Can I use those NetStamps in 2019?

Since the “Metered Mail” rate is now $0.50 to send a one-ounce First-Class Mail letter, you will need to add additional postage worth $0.03 to your letter.

When printing shipping labels online, do I get a discounted rate?
Yes, customers who print postage online automatically qualify for discounted shipping rates (known as Commercial Base pricing) when purchasing Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express or First Class Package Service. These rates are automatically calculated when you print a shipping label inside the Stamps.com platform.

Does Stamps.com have an option to ship Merchandise using First Class Mail International Large Envelopes/Flats?

Yes! Stamps.com provides an exclusive service for online retailers to ship merchandise in a Large Envelope/Flat to an International destination at a significant cost savings compared to First Class Package International Service/ The savings can be $10.00 or higher per Flat shipped!

Is the Dimensional (DIM) Weight divisor changing for the USPS?

Note: The USPS has postponed this change until June 2019! The Dimensional Weight (DIM) divisor for Priority Mail packages over 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) is being adjusted from 194 to 166. DIM pricing is also being added to all shipping zones for Priority Mail parcels over 1 cubic foot as well as to Parcel Select and Priority Mail Express.

Did First Class Package Service rates change in 2019?

Yes, First Class Package Service is moving from a weight-only pricing to a zone and weight-based pricing. Rates will be based on the weight of the package (in ounces) and the shipping zone the package is traveling to.

I am a Stamps.com customer. Do I need to take any actions to get the new rates after January 27, 2019?

No, if you are a Stamps.com customer, you do not need to take any action. Stamps.com automatically updated all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

Categories: USPS News Tags:

First Class Package Service Switches to Zone-Based Rates

February 1st, 2019 Comments off

As of January 27th, 2019 USPS First Class Package Service follows zone-based pricing. Shipping rates for packages are now based on the distance your package will be traveling. Using the zip code of the packages origin and the destination zip code along with the weight of your package, the USPS calculates a zone-based rate. To determine the zone of your package visit the USPS Domestic Zone Chart. Stamps.com customers can automatically see the zone-based rate when shipping with First Class Package Service.

2019 First Class Package Service Rates by Zone

First Class Package Service Zone 1&2

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.66 $0.00
2 $2.66 $2.66 $0.00
3 $2.66 $2.66 $0.00
4 $2.66 $2.66 $0.00
5 $2.79 $3.18 $0.39
6 $2.92 $3.18 $0.26
7 $3.05 $3.18 $0.13
8 $3.18 $3.18 $0.00
9 $3.34 $3.82 $0.48
10 $3.50 $3.82 $0.32
11 $3.66 $3.82 $0.16
12 $3.82 $3.82 $0.00
13 $4.10 $4.94 $0.84
14 $4.38 $4.94 $0.56
15 $4.66 $4.94 $0.28
15.999 $4.94 $4.94 $0.00

 

First Class Package Service Zone 3

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.68 $0.02
2 $2.66 $2.68 $0.02
3 $2.66 $2.68 $0.02
4 $2.66 $2.68 $0.02
5 $2.79 $3.20 $0.41
6 $2.92 $3.20 $0.28
7 $3.05 $3.20 $0.15
8 $3.18 $3.20 $0.02
9 $3.34 $3.85 $0.51
10 $3.50 $3.85 $0.35
11 $3.66 $3.85 $0.19
12 $3.82 $3.85 $0.03
13 $4.10 $4.98 $0.88
14 $4.38 $4.98 $0.60
15 $4.66 $4.98 $0.32
15.999 $4.94 $4.98 $0.04

 

First Class Package Service Zone 4

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.70 $0.04
2 $2.66 $2.70 $0.04
3 $2.66 $2.70 $0.04
4 $2.66 $2.70 $0.04
5 $2.79 $3.22 $0.43
6 $2.92 $3.22 $0.30
7 $3.05 $3.22 $0.17
8 $3.18 $3.22 $0.04
9 $3.34 $3.88 $0.54
10 $3.50 $3.88 $0.38
11 $3.66 $3.88 $0.22
12 $3.82 $3.88 $0.06
13 $4.10 $5.02 $0.92
14 $4.38 $5.02 $0.64
15 $4.66 $5.02 $0.36
15.999 $4.94 $5.02 $0.08

 

First Class Package Service Zone 5

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.76 $0.10
2 $2.66 $2.76 $0.10
3 $2.66 $2.76 $0.10
4 $2.66 $2.76 $0.10
5 $2.79 $3.28 $0.49
6 $2.92 $3.28 $0.36
7 $3.05 $3.28 $0.23
8 $3.18 $3.28 $0.10
9 $3.34 $3.96 $0.62
10 $3.50 $3.96 $0.46
11 $3.66 $3.96 $0.30
12 $3.82 $3.96 $0.14
13 $4.10 $5.12 $1.02
14 $4.38 $5.12 $0.74
15 $4.66 $5.12 $0.46
15.999 $4.94 $5.12 $0.18

 

First Class Package Service Zone 6

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.84 $0.18
2 $2.66 $2.84 $0.18
3 $2.66 $2.84 $0.18
4 $2.66 $2.84 $0.18
5 $2.79 $3.36 $0.57
6 $2.92 $3.36 $0.44
7 $3.05 $3.36 $0.31
8 $3.18 $3.36 $0.18
9 $3.34 $4.06 $0.72
10 $3.50 $4.06 $0.56
11 $3.66 $4.06 $0.40
12 $3.82 $4.06 $0.24
13 $4.10 $5.24 $1.14
14 $4.38 $5.24 $0.86
15 $4.66 $5.24 $0.58
15.999 $4.94 $5.24 $0.30

 

First Class Package Service Zone 7

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $2.96 $0.30
2 $2.66 $2.96 $0.30
3 $2.66 $2.96 $0.30
4 $2.66 $2.96 $0.30
5 $2.79 $3.49 $0.70
6 $2.92 $3.49 $0.57
7 $3.05 $3.49 $0.44
8 $3.18 $3.49 $0.31
9 $3.34 $4.19 $0.85
10 $3.50 $4.19 $0.69
11 $3.66 $4.19 $0.53
12 $3.82 $4.19 $0.37
13 $4.10 $5.38 $1.28
14 $4.38 $5.38 $1.00
15 $4.66 $5.38 $0.72
15.999 $4.94 $5.38 $0.44

 

First Class Package Service Zone 8

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
2 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
3 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
4 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
5 $2.79 $3.63 $0.84
6 $2.92 $3.63 $0.71
7 $3.05 $3.63 $0.58
8 $3.18 $3.63 $0.45
9 $3.34 $4.33 $0.99
10 $3.50 $4.33 $0.83
11 $3.66 $4.33 $0.67
12 $3.82 $4.33 $0.51
13 $4.10 $5.53 $1.43
14 $4.38 $5.53 $1.15
15 $4.66 $5.53 $0.87
15.999 $4.94 $5.53 $0.59

 

First Class Package Service Zone 9

Commercial Base Pricing
Weight Not Over (Oz.) 2018 2019 Change
1 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
2 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
3 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
4 $2.66 $3.09 $0.43
5 $2.79 $3.63 $0.84
6 $2.92 $3.63 $0.71
7 $3.05 $3.63 $0.58
8 $3.18 $3.63 $0.45
9 $3.34 $4.33 $0.99
10 $3.50 $4.33 $0.83
11 $3.66 $4.33 $0.67
12 $3.82 $4.33 $0.51
13 $4.10 $5.53 $1.43
14 $4.38 $5.53 $1.15
15 $4.66 $5.53 $0.87
15.999 $4.94 $5.53 $0.59
Categories: USPS News Tags:

Stamps.com Automatically Updated with New 2019 USPS Rates

January 27th, 2019 Comments off

The 2019 USPS rate increase is now in effect. No action is required of customers, as Stamps.com mailing and shipping solutions are designed to reflect real-time USPS pricing and will transition to the new rates in real time. This way our customers can print postage without any service disruptions.

Below you’ll find a summary of the 2019 postage rate increase for Commercial Base (online postage) prices by mail class:

 

First Class Mail Letters

NEW!  Save 5 cents with every First Class Mail letter (one ounce) you send by printing postage with Stamps.com – a 9% savings!

First Class Mail – 2019 Rates
INCREASE PER LETTER – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Mailpiece Weight 2019 2018 Increase
Letters – 1 oz. $0.55 $0.50 $0.05
Letters  – Additional Ounces $0.15 $0.21 ($0.06)
Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate) – 1 oz. $0.50 $0.47 $0.03
Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate)
Additional Ounces		 $0.15 $0.21 ($0.06)
Flat/Large Envelope – 1 oz. $1.00 $1.00 $0.00
Flat/Large Envelope – Additional Ounces $0.15 $0.21 ($0.06)
Postcards $0.35 $0.35 $0.00
International Letters – 1 oz.
(Country Groups 1-9)		 $1.15 $1.15 $0.00
International Postcard
(Country Groups 1-9)		 $1.15 $1.15 $0.00

 

Priority Mail Express (Commercial Base Pricing)

Priority Mail Express – 2019 Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Weight
(lbs.)		 Zones
1 & 2		 Zone
3		 Zone
4		 Zone
5		 Zone
6		 Zone
7		 Zone
8		 Zone
9
0.5 $0.70 $0.75 $0.80 $0.90 $0.99 $1.08 $1.21 $5.23
1 $0.76 $0.83 $1.03 $1.18 $1.26 $1.38 $1.48 $6.24
2 $0.80 $0.94 $1.18 $1.36 $1.45 $1.57 $1.71 $6.95
3 $0.85 $1.03 $1.40 $1.65 $1.76 $1.90 $2.05 $8.08
4 $0.89 $1.16 $1.57 $1.95 $2.07 $2.25 $2.41 $9.23
5 $0.93 $1.30 $1.67 $2.09 $2.33 $2.49 $2.67 $10.25

 

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate (Commercial Base Pricing)

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate – 2019 Rates
(Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Mailpiece 2019 2018 Increase
Flat Rate Envelope $22.68 $21.98 $0.70
Legal Flat Rate Envelope $22.80 $22.09 $0.71
Padded Flat Rate Envelope $23.18 $22.46 $0.72

 

Priority Mail (Commercial Base Pricing)

Priority Mail – 2019 Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Weight
(lbs.)		 Zones
1 & 2		 Zone
3		 Zone
4		 Zone
5		 Zone
6		 Zone
7		 Zone
8		 Zone
9
1 $0.40 $0.28 $0.39 $0.45 $0.47 $0.49 $0.49 ($0.11)
2 $0.32 $0.36 $0.48 $0.35 $0.23 ($0.06) $0.06 ($0.16)
3 $0.41 $0.31 ($0.13) $0.00 ($0.36) ($0.05) ($0.06) ($0.22)
4 $0.40 $0.15 $0.12 ($0.31) ($0.43) ($0.48) ($0.54) ($0.27)
5 $0.40 ($0.17) ($0.25) ($0.32) ($0.48) ($0.55) ($0.63) ($0.31)

 

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes (Commercial Base Pricing)

Priority Mail Flat Rate – 2019 Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Mailpiece 2019 2018 Increase
Flat Rate Envelope $6.95 $6.55 $0.40
Legal Flat Rate Envelope $7.25 $6.85 $0.40
Padded Flat Rate Envelope $7.55 $7.10 $0.45
Small Flat Rate Box $7.50 $7.05 $0.45
Medium Flat Rate Box $12.80 $12.85 ($0.05)
Large Flat Rate Box $17.60 $17.65 ($0.05)
APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box $16.10 $16.15 ($0.05)

 

Priority Mail Regional Rate (Commercial Base Pricing)

Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes – 2019 Rates
(Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Box
Type		 Zones
1 & 2		 Zone
3		 Zone
4		 Zone
5		 Zone
6		 Zone
7		 Zone
8		 Zone
9
A $0.55 $0.60 $0.72 $0.61 $0.53 $0.26 $0.40 $0.31
B $0.64 $0.08 $0.03 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.58

 

First Class Package Service (Commercial Base Pricing)
NEW!  Zone-based pricing has been added to First Class Package Service! Shipping rates are now based on the distance your package is traveling, using the origin zip code and the package destination zip code (there are 8 total shipping zones).

First Class Package Service – 2019 Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Mailpiece Weight Zones
1 & 2		 Zone
3		 Zone
4		 Zone
5		 Zone
6		 Zone
7		 Zone
8		 Zone
9
1 ounce $0.00 $0.02 $0.04 $0.10 $0.18 $0.30 $0.43 $0.43
2 ounces $0.00 $0.02 $0.04 $0.10 $0.18 $0.30 $0.43 $0.43
3 ounces $0.00 $0.02 $0.04 $0.10 $0.18 $0.30 $0.43 $0.43
4 ounces $0.00 $0.02 $0.04 $0.10 $0.18 $0.30 $0.43 $0.43
5 ounces $0.39 $0.41 $0.43 $0.49 $0.57 $0.70 $0.84 $0.84
6 ounces $0.26 $0.28 $0.30 $0.36 $0.44 $0.57 $0.71 $0.71
7 ounces $0.13 $0.15 $0.17 $0.23 $0.31 $0.44 $0.58 $0.58
8 ounces $0.00 $0.02 $0.04 $0.10 $0.18 $0.31 $0.45 $0.45
9 ounces $0.48 $0.51 $0.54 $0.62 $0.72 $0.85 $0.99 $0.99
10 ounces $0.32 $0.35 $0.38 $0.46 $0.56 $0.69 $0.83 $0.83
11 ounces $0.16 $0.19 $0.22 $0.30 $0.40 $0.53 $0.67 $0.67
12 ounces $0.00 $0.03 $0.06 $0.14 $0.24 $0.37 $0.51 $0.51
13 ounces $0.84 $0.88 $0.92 $1.02 $1.14 $1.28 $1.43 $1.43
14 ounces $0.56 $0.60 $0.64 $0.74 $0.86 $1.00 $1.15 $1.15
15 ounces $0.28 $0.32 $0.36 $0.46 $0.58 $0.72 $0.87 $0.87
15.999 ounces $0.00 $0.04 $0.08 $0.18 $0.30 $0.44 $0.59 $0.59

 

Parcel Select Ground (Commercial Base Pricing)

Parcel Select Ground – 2019 Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Weight
(lbs.)		 Zones
1 & 2		 Zone
3		 Zone
4		 Zone
5		 Zone
6		 Zone
7		 Zone
8		 Zone
9
1 $0.30 $0.18 $0.29 $0.31 $0.28 $0.25 $0.20 $0.20
2 $0.22 $0.26 $0.38 $0.20 $0.04 ($0.30) ($0.23) ($0.23)
3 $0.31 $0.21 ($0.23) ($0.20) ($0.60) ($0.34) ($0.40) ($0.40)
4 $0.30 $0.05 $0.02 ($0.51) ($0.67) ($0.77) ($0.88) ($0.88)
5 $0.30 ($0.27) ($0.35) ($0.52) ($0.72) ($0.84) ($0.97) ($0.97)
6 $0.29 ($0.60) ($0.59) ($0.62) ($0.27) ($0.51) ($0.60) ($0.60)
7 $0.01 ($0.33) ($0.68) ($0.36) ($0.34) ($0.55) ($0.63) ($0.63)
8 ($0.39) ($0.16) ($0.27) ($0.71) ($0.47) ($0.57) ($0.66) ($0.66)
9 $0.19 ($0.06) $0.11 ($0.75) ($0.49) ($0.59) ($0.69) ($0.69)
10 $0.05 $0.08 $0.13 ($0.79) ($0.51) ($0.62) ($0.73) ($0.73)


Media Mail

Media Mail – 2019 Rates
INCREASE PER PACKAGE – 2019 rates vs. 2018 rates
Weight
(lbs.)		 2019 2018 Increase
1 $2.75 $2.66 $0.09
2 $3.27 $3.17 $0.10
3 $3.79 $3.68 $0.11
4 $4.31 $4.19 $0.12
5 $4.83 $4.70 $0.13
6 $5.35 $5.21 $0.14
7 $5.87 $5.72 $0.15
8 $6.39 $6.23 $0.16
9 $6.91 $6.74 $0.17
10 $7.43 $7.25 $0.18

 

Categories: Software Updates, USPS News Tags:

USPS Suspends Mail Delivery Wed, Dec 5 for National Day of Mourning

December 3rd, 2018 Comments off

President Trump has proclaimed Wednesday, December 5, 2018 as a National Day of Mourning in remembrance of former President George H.W. Bush.

To honor President Bush for his vast contributions to public service during his lifetime, the U.S. Postal Service will observe a day of mourning and will suspend regular mail delivery and Post Office/retail services on Wednesday, December 5.

USPS Operations That Will Continue on Wednesday, Dec 5
Service Status
Priority Mail Express All Priority Mail Express items will be delivered as scheduled.
Package Pickup USPS will conduct scheduled package pickup requests.  IMPORTANT! No new package pickups are being scheduled for December 5.
Plant Operations All plant operations, including Network Distribution Centers (NDC) and Sectional Center Facilities (SCF), will operate as scheduled except delivery point sequence (DPS) processing. FAST appointments will be accepted.
Air & Surface Transportation Air and Surface transportation operate as scheduled, and scheduled dispatches to Post Offices will occur.
USPS Customer Support Call Center In operation but may have reduced staffing.
Delivery Destination Units (DDU) All DDUs will accept drop shipments.

 

USPS Operations That Will Be Suspended on Wednesday, Dec 5
Service Status
General Mail Delivery Regular USPS mail delivery will be suspended. There will be limited package delivery consistent with our Peak Season Sunday schedule.
Post Office/Retail Post Offices will be closed. All retail operations will be suspended.
Collection Box (Blue Boxes in Streets) Mail will be collected from boxes in front of Post Offices and high volume boxes that have a potential to overflow. All other box collections will be suspended.
Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) The BMEU/Detached Mail Unit (DMU) in plant locations will be open, while BMEU operations will be suspended at Post Office locations.
USPS Administrative Offices including Headquarters All administration offices will be closed.

Get more info from USPS.com.

Categories: USPS News Tags: ,

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