Hello amazing community members,
Effective July 9, 2023 USPS services and rates will undergo some notable changes. We'll break down these changes and ensure you're well informed and prepared for the upcoming adjustments.
New Service: USPS Ground Advantage™
This new service offering combines USPS Retail Ground®, First-Class Package®, and Parcel Select Ground® services and return options like First-Class Package Return® service and Ground Returns. You will be able to ship packages up to 70 pounds with an expected delivery of 2-5 business days with tracking and $100 loss and damage coverage.
What steps do I need to take?
ShipStation will be aiding you in this transition by automatically mapping any of the selected consolidated services to USPS Ground Advantage™ through the end of 2023.
We would recommend updating your automation rules and any service mappings, before the end of the grace period. If you try to use any of the consolidated services after the grace period you will receive an error message. If you have any outbound or return labels associated with the services that will no longer be in use, USPS will honor those labels until September 30, 2023.
You can read more about this here.
Rate Changes
Alongside modifications to the service offerings, there have been some adjustments in the prices of the following services:
- First-Class Mail Letters (1 oz.)
- First-Class Mail Letters (metered 1oz.)
- Domestic Postcards
- First-Class Mail International Letter (1 oz.)
- First-Class Mail International Postcards.
You can view these rate changes in this help center article.
New Hazardous Material Identification Requirements into effect
As announced in November 2022, USPS added new rules to amend publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and perishable mail that requires shippers to identify shipments with HAZMAT. Starting July 9th, all shipments will be required to comply with these new rules.
Notable changes for HazMat Shipments:
- Extra services restricted to only adult signature or USPS insurance.
- Refunds for domestic priority mail express will not be supported for shipments that contain hazardous materials if the package was delivered or an attempt to deliver was made within three days of mailing.
- Shipping labels for HAZMAT packages will have the following
- Service indicator H for identification
- HAZMAT- Surface Transportation Only” appears below the return address for surface-only packages.
- “HAZMAT” will appear after the USPS tracking number above the tracking barcode.
If you would like to read more about these updates you can read more about this on the ShipStation blog.
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