USPS July 2013 Updates

These may be the lazy days of summer, but don’t fall asleep on the job when it comes to your e-commerce business. With several operational changes – though no postage rate increases, make sure you’ve reviewed the latest USPS product and service updates. Here’s a quick overview of these updates.

Express Mail Name Changes: 

• Express Mail is now known as Priority Mail Express.
• Similarly, Priority Mail Express International replaces the old Express Mail International name.

Note that delivery times – (overnight for domestic, 3-5 days for international) remain the same, and you may use the old Express Mail boxes through January 2014. According to USPS research, having all the expedited shipping options under the Priority Mail brand name will ultimately eliminate customer confusion.

Priority Mail Updates: 

• Estimated delivery date printed on shipping labels. When printing Priority Mail shipping labels, you will notice that they clearly state whether the shipment is “Priority Mail 1-Day,” “Priority Mail 2-Day” or “Priority Mail 3-Day.” These are estimated delivery timeframes provided by the USPS and are based on the origin and destination zip codes of your shipment. Note that delivery estimates are not guaranteed!
• New four-digit Carrier Route Codes included on labels. To help speed up delivery times, a new four-digit Carrier Route Code is included on your Priority Mail shipping label. You’ll find it to the right of the delivery address on the label.
• Package Insurance. If you print postage online with an approved USPS postage vendor such as Stamps.com, you are now getting $50 worth of insurance against loss, damage or missing contents, at no additional cost. Moreover, if you are approved for Commercial Plus Pricing, that amount bumps up to $100.

Electronic Delivery Confirmation Expanded: 

For no additional cost, you can now receive delivery confirmation for shipments to Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland when you ship via First Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes.

Are you covered? 

As you can see, there are a few changes at USPS … but if you use an online postage vendor like Stamps.com, it will be business as usual – All these changes were automatically updated in the software and website to accommodate these changes. If not, take the time to familiarize yourself with the changes and check with your provider if you need to take any action, in order to avoid any confusion.