Master Cheat Sheet for USPS Shipping

MASTER CHEAT SHEET FOR USPSX SHIPPING VS MARKET DOMINANT COMPETITIVE MAIL CLASSES USPS services for which there are no USPS services that are similar to services equivalents with other carriers and price offered by private carriers with more flexibility in pricing, and includes offers for volume or negotiated discounts increases are restricted by the government Retail Price : Standard counter price for postage at the Post OfficeTM Market Dominant Mail Classes : Only offer retail prices PRICING Competitive Mail Classes : Offer discount prices Commercial Base Price (CBP) : Discounted postage price for certain mail classes available to electronic postage users TIERS Commercial Plus Price (CPP) : Deeply discounted postage prices for certain mail classes available to qualified high-volume shippers MARKET DOMINANT Tracking/Delivery Confirmation is available (with an additional cost) Expedited delivery FIRST-CLASS MAIL STANDARD MAIL MEDIA MAIL For postcards, letters, For presorted bulk mailings: flyers, advertising, & catalogs For educational material: and large, flat envelopes books, CDs/DVDS, etc... but includes limitations such as no advertising Item can weigh up to 13 oz Limited weight restrictions Limited weight restrictions . Have size / thickness * No size restrictions * No size restrictions restrictions n Delivered in 3-10 days Delivered in 2-8 days A Delivered in 3 days or less LIBRARY MAIL BOUND PRINTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL MATTER INTERNATIONAL For items sent between qualified organizations: academic institutions, For presorted bound materials, such as For postcards, letters, & large, flat envelopes sent public libraries/museums. catalogs & phone books internationally Limited weight restrictions Limited weight restrictions Limited weight restrictions + No size restrictions + No size restrictions * No size restrictions Delivery times vary by A Delivered in 2-8 days A Delivered in 2-8 days destination COMPETITIVE MAIL CLASSES Tracking/Delivery Confirmation is available (free) EX Expedited delivery FIRST-CLASS STANDARD POST PARCEL SELECT PACKAGE SERVICE For heavier or larger For heavier or larger Ideal for lighter weight packages packages items Items can weigh up to 13 oz Limited weight restrictions Similar to Standard Post, but available to online More than 3/4" thick (or + No size restrictions 1/4" thick if riqgid] and shippers. 108" or less in * Delivered in 2-9 days A Delivered in typically 2-9 length+height-width days Only available at the Retail A Delivered in 2-3 days counter Comparable to UPS or FedEx Ground Services PRIORITY MAIL PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS GLOBAL EXPRESS [FORMERLY EXPRESS MAIL} GUARANTEED Best for packages that Best for packages Best for shipping items or require quick delivery, free tracking, & low cost requiring fast delivery documents internationally that require fast, guaranteed Limited weight restrictions delivery with advanced end-to-end tracking ++ No size restrictions Limited weight restrictions A Delivered in 1-2 days Limited weight restrictions + No size restrictions + No size restrictions Comes with a money-back guarantee Delivered in 1-3 days Delivered in 2-3 days [restrictions apply) In addition to the standard Comparable to FedEx or UPS weight/zone-based pricing, Comes with a Overnight service & 2-day money-back guarantee (restrictions applyl Priority Mail offers various service in remote locations Flat Rate & Regional Rate options FIRST-CLASS PACKAGE PRIORITY MAIL PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICE [FORMERLY EXPRESS MAIL INTERNATIONAL) Tracking is free but not The most economical with Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat For economical expedited way to ship lightweight international packages Rate Boxes international delivery to most countries Limited weight restrictions Can weigh up to 4 Ibs + No size restrictions Limited weight restrictions + More than 3/4" thick + No size restrictions Delivered in 6-10 business Delivery times vary by days * Delivered in 3-5 business destination Electronic Delivery days Delivery Confirmation Confirmation is free and available for packages available for Flat Rate Comes with a going to 14 international Envelopes and Small Flat money-back guarantee destinations, including Rate Boxes going to Canada, (restrictions applyl Canada along with 15 additional countries. TIPS TO PREVENT LOST OR DAMAGED SHIPMENTS ADDRESS & LABEL PACKAGES CORRECTLY Double check the address is correct and deliverable: use address validation tools to automatically correct domestic addresses. Include complete address information: 4. Apartment/Suite Number (if applicable) 1. Recipient Name Name of Organization Use a P.0. Box or street address, but not both 2. lif applicable) 3. Street Address 6. City, State, and ZIP Code USE TRACKING OPTIONS III I-I > Some mail classes or shipping services offer free tracking. Or, you can add it for a minimal fee • Send your customer an email notification with their tracking number, so they know when to expect their package PROTECT LABELS USE QUALITY MATERIALS • Tougher, thicker packaging is less likely to get damaged and reduces the risk of > Use clear tape over labels to prevent the package becoming undeliverable them from coming off and protect > Use a box strong enough to support the weight of the contents them from moisture or other damage • Be sure you don't tape over barcodes BARCODE CONSIDER PARCEL INSURANCE • Buy parcel insurance when shipping expensive items > $50 of USPS insurance is included with Priority Mail > $100 of USPS insurance is included with Priority Mail Express > $200 of USPS insurance is included with Priority Mail Express International > You can insure your domestically shipped item with USPS for up to $5,000 against loss or damage dependent on declared value • Additional parcel insurance options are available if your package needs more coverage or is going to a country not supported by USPS insurance. PACKAGE CUSHIONING ABOUT BUBBLE-WRAP & PACKING PEANUTS > Although most bubble wrap and packing peanuts are not biodegradable, these packing materials do a good job of protecting products * But there do exist biodegradable versions of bubble-wrap and packing peanuts. Biodegradable bubble-wrap biodegrades in 9-60 months and biodegradable packing peanuts dissolve in water PROPERLY PACKAGE THE ITEM(S) Make sure there is at least a small buffer of space for cushioning to protect items 2. Reinforce package edges to protect from bending 3. Securely seal package closures and seams with 2 inch wide reinforced tape OTHER GREEN ALTERNATIVES Geämi Aden Pack Flex Wrap Biodegradable Film Paper-based packaging that 100% recycled cardboard Great for wrapping includes perforated paper protective packaging that fragile goods and is as made from sustainably expands and costs less strong as plastic managed forests with a layer of than bubble-wrap tissue on top RECYCLING & REUSING Save and reuse bubble-wrap, packing peanuts, or other cushioning • You may be able to get and reuse packing cushioning from local businesses • To be both cost effective and green, consider reusing packaging material that is still in good shape. Some items around the house or office can be reused as filler cushioning, such as: Newspaper, magazines, and shredded paper TIPS TO SAVE ON SHIPPING REUSE OLD BOXES USE THE RIGHT SIZE PACKAGE A package that is too large may > Be sure to completely remove or cover all previous labels and markings become damaged without the additional cushioning Ensure the box is still sturdy enough to handle wear and tear Packages that are too small Double check that the packaging still won't leave enough room for Xx inch gives a professional appearance for proper cushioning, risking your brand damage to the product inside FREE Take advantage of the free Ask local businesses to see Calculate and compare package supplies and boxes if they are willing to part with rates before you ship available from the USPS their empty, used boxes SOURCES https://www.usps.com endicia http://www.endicia.com/price-change-2013 http://howtosellhandmadecrafts.com/preventing-lost-packages/ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Saving-Money-on-Packing-Materials.html Endicia is the leader in solutions for eCommerce Shipping. Visit us at: www.endicia.com http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/service/claims/hlp/preventing.html http://www.redding.com/news/2010/aug/07/sorry-to-burst-your-bubble-wrap-but-theres-a-way http://www.peopleforgreenjustice.com/2011/04/05/purposeful-packing-the-4-greenest-packing-alternatives-for-your-move/ https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-and-extra-services.htm