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Get the latest information on the mailing and shipping industry.

Use GlobalPost Plus For Streamlined International Shipping

January 18th, 2024 Comments off

International shipping should be an option for every business, and our partner GlobalPost is working to simplify the process. GlobalPost partners with over 200 carriers globally to find the best route for your packages and better support the last mile of your package’s journey. GlobalPost Plus is an additional solution aimed at simplifying international shipping to eligible countries, and it is currently accessible to all Stamps.com merchants. 

What is GlobalPost Plus?

GlobalPost Plus is available for shipping to Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, and the UK. GlobalPost directly coordinates with your destination country’s customs office to pre-clear your shipments. This expedites the process, which helps your shipments be quickly delivered to customers. GlobalPost Plus also enables you to pay the taxes and duties in place of your customers, preventing any surprises for customers and/or returned packages. 

Canada DDP

When shipping to Canada, Stamps.com customers can use Canada Delivery Duty Paid or DDP. Canada DDP allows you to prepay the taxes and duties on a shipment for a flat fee. This way, your customers don’t have to pay these fees when their packages arrive. Canada DDP can be used for shipments weighing up to four pounds that are shipped using First-Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®, and Priority Mail International Express®. The flat rate fee for First-Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®, and Priority Mail International Express® is $9.95. 

The benefits of international shipping 

Considering international shipping for your business is valuable, as it exposes your products to a broader audience. In fact, our recent study with Retail Economics found that 53% of merchants use online marketplaces to reach a broader audience; imagine what could happen if you also offer shipping to international customers. Additionally, international holidays lead to more sales and promotional opportunities to build your audience.

Shipping internationally with Stamps.com 

Not only can Stamps.com merchants use GlobalPost Plus, but selecting the service is easy. To select GlobalPost Plus as a carrier service, you’ll 

  1. Click the International Tab. 
  2. Add your customer’s name and address, as well as the weight of your shipment. 
  3. Select the Carrier drop-down menu and find GlobalPost. 
  4. Click on GlobalPost Plus on the Service drop-down menu. 
  5. Underneath the Service drop-down menu, select the Edit Form button. 
  6. Fill out your customs form. 
  7. Select Ok. 
  8. Print your label!*

*Note: The Ship-To address will show a domestic address because shipments are sent to the closest GlobalPost Domestic Shipping Center for distribution. 

International shipping is only a matter of clicks away. Expanding to a larger market is an option for your business, and services like GlobalPost Plus prove that gaining more customers doesn’t have to mean your business gains more work. GlobalPost supports merchants by adding HS codes to your customs forms based on the information provided, and their support team is available to help with any questions you may have along the way. Start shipping around the globe with the help of GlobalPost and Stamps.com.

Start shipping internationally with the help of Stamps.com and GlobalPost today.

Categories: International Shipping Tags:

2023 US Shipping Deadlines

November 16th, 2023 Comments off

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. 

When do packages need to be mailed for Christmas delivery 2023?

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.

UPS® Holiday Shipping Deadlines

  • UPS 3 Day Select®: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
  • UPS 2nd Day Air® services: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 or Thursday, December 21, 2023 with Saturday Delivery options
  • UPS® Ground: Check ups.com/ctc for details
  • UPS® Ground Saver: Check ups.com/ctc for details
  • UPS Next Day Air® services: Thursday, December 21, 2023, or Friday, December 22, 2023 with Saturday Delivery options

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. 

USPS® Holiday Shipping Deadlines

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.

  • USPS Ground Advantage™: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • First-Class® Mail: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • Priority Mail: Monday, December 18, 2023
  • Priority Mail Express*: Wednesday, December 20, 2023

USPS® Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Alaska and Hawaii

  • USPS Ground Advantage™: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • First-Class® Mail: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • Priority Mail: Monday, December 18, 2023 (Alaska), Saturday, December 16, 2023 (Hawaii)
  • Priority Mail Express*: Wednesday, December 20, 2023

FedEx® Holiday Shipping Deadlines

  • FedEx Ground Economy: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
  • FedEx Ground:  Visit FedEx’s website for more information about shipping deadlines for FedEx Ground® 
  • FedEx Home Delivery: Visit FedEx’s website for more information about shipping deadlines for FedEx Ground® 
  • FedEx Express Saver: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
  • 2Day & 2Day AM: Wednesday, December 20, 2023
  • FedEx SameDay: Friday, December 22, 2023

USPS, UPS, and FedEx shipping holidays 

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. 

USPS shipping holiday schedule 2023*

  • Thanksgiving Day: November 23, 2023 
  • Christmas Day: Monday 25, 2023 

*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. 

UPS shipping holiday schedule 2023*

  • Thanksgiving Day: November 23, 2023 
  • Christmas Eve: December 24, 2023
  • Christmas Day: December 25, 2023

*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.

FedEx shipping holiday schedule 2023*

  • FedEx shipping holidays vary by service and by date throughout the holiday season. Visit FedEx’s website for a complete list of FedEx shipping holidays. 

Unwrap branded notifications with Stamps.com 

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.

 

Print Stamps And Labels On the Go With The Stamps.com Mobile App

November 3rd, 2023 Comments off

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. 

What’s new in 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 benefits of the Stamps.com Mobile App

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.

How the Stamps.com Mobile App works

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? 

  • Go to Stamps.com to create your account.
  • Download the Stamps.com Mobile app for iPhone or Android.
  • Log into your account on the app.
  • Click [CREATE] to create NetStamps®, a shipping label, or an envelope.
  • Add sender and recipient information.
  • Enter the weight, size, and other basic information for your letter or package.
  • Check out rates and choose your preferred carrier and service.
  • Ready to print? Connect your phone to any wireless printer. 
  • Not ready to print? Download a PDF to print later. 
  • No printer? Generate a QR code and bring your item to the Post Office™ where a staff member will quickly scan it. 

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.

Categories: Stamps.com Announcements Tags:

The Importance of Online Marketplaces 

October 13th, 2023 Comments off

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. 

How do online marketplaces work?

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. 

What are the biggest online marketplaces?

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. 

The benefits of online selling 

We’ve discussed the basics of online marketplaces, but what are some of the biggest benefits? You should consider using online marketplaces because: 

  1. North America is projected to have $183 billion in online sales: With sales projected to be this large, your business has a good chance of seeing a boost in sales. Stamps.com integrates with major marketplaces (more on this later), so you can create a centralized workflow and stay organized as your order volume increases. 
  1. It puts your products in front of a larger audience: 88% of customers plan to make their holiday purchases online globally. There are a lot of eyes on the ecommerce space, so you have the chance to make your products shine during the holiday season. Also, if you create a great customer experience, it increases the likelihood of repeat business after the holiday season ends. 
  1. There’s the opportunity to recommend products for customers: Regulations and guidelines around product suggestions will vary by the marketplace, so we recommend reaching out to your marketplace of choice. However, if your marketplaces allows it, you can recommend products to customers based on their previous purchases from your business. You can also make recommendations on your business’s website for products based on their purchase and browsing history as well as items in their cart. 
  1. Marketplaces like Amazon allow customers to choose expedited shipping options as Prime subscribers: Our study found that 61% of global customers are willing to pay up to $9 extra for same-day, next-day, or scheduled shipping. If customers are already Prime users, Amazon will give them expedited shipping options up front that include as a feature with their subscription. 

Sending shipment notification emails to customers 

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. 

Connecting online marketplaces with Stamps.com 

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: 

  • Amazon
  • BigCommerce 
  • eBay 
  • Etsy
  • Shopify 
  • WooCommerce 

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: 

  1. Open the Orders tab on your dashboard. 
  2. Select the Settings icon
  3. Click the Stores tab. 
  4. Find and select the Add button. 
  5. Choose your marketplace from the integration list. 
  6. Follow the instructions for connecting your specific marketplace. 

Tips for selling through online marketplaces 

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: 

  • Pay close attention to marketplace-specific guidelines and regulations. 
  • Include clear and specific returns information whenever and wherever possible. 
  • Take note of which products sell better than others to help project your holiday inventory. 
  • Use online retail holidays like Prime Days, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday to get rid of products that aren’t selling well or are out of season. 

Start your 30-day risk-free trial to Stamps.com today.

Creating a Successful Holiday Shipping Strategy

October 24th, 2023 Comments off

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. 

Start your holiday preparations early 

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: 

  1. Select the Settings button. 
  2. Click the Branded Features button, followed by the Brand Settings button.
  3. Once selected, the Branded Settings dashboard will open. 
  4. From here, you’ll customize the color scheme, logo, social media links, and other information. 
  5. After you’ve completed all of these steps, find the Emails tab. 
  6. Choose which settings you would like to change i.e., if emails aren’t sent until tracking is available for customers. Also, confirm the reply-to email and display name are both accurate. 
  7. Click Publish Now.   

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Include expedited shipping options for customers

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.

Rate Advisor 

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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Expand to marketplace and store selling 

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 Prime Days 

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. 

Prioritize shipping insurance 

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. 

ParcelGuard™

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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Holiday shipping tips for ecommerce businesses 

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: 

  • Include detailed information about tracking shipments 
  • Expand your online selling to marketplaces like Amazon 
  • Offer expedited shipping options whenever/wherever possible 
  • Enable branded tracking shipment emails to avoid unattended packages 
  • Utilize carriers with included insurance options and consider purchasing more insurance for more expensive items 

Keep the holiday season merry and bright with a trial to Stamps.com.

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