The U.S. Postal Service is making operational changes to select shipping services starting Sunday, July 28, 2013. The changes being made include the following:
IMPORTANT! USPS postage rates are NOT INCREASING on Sunday, July 28, 2013 – these changes are operational only!!!
Express Mail Renamed to Priority Mail Express
Express Mail is being renamed Priority Mail Express and Express Mail International is being renamed Priority Mail Express International. USPS research shows that having two shipping product names is confusing to customers, and so the USPS will simplify everything under the Priority Mail brand name.
Delivery service for Priority Mail Express will remain the same (1-2 day for domestic, 3-5 day for international). Also, older Express Mail boxes can still be used with the newly named Priority Mail Express through January 2014.
Estimated Delivery Date Included on Priority Mail Shipping Labels
The USPS will be printing the estimated delivery date on all Priority Mail shipping labels. The date will be displayed at the top of the shipping label in bold text and will contain either “Priority Mail 1 Day,” “Priority Mail 2 Day” or “Priority Mail 3 Day.”
This is only an estimated delivery date and package shippers will not be able to choose a date-specific delivery service for Priority Mail. Delivery dates will be determined by where you’re shipping your package from and where you’re sending it.
Additionally, Priority Mail labels will now include a four-digit Carrier Route Code to help speed up package delivery. The four-digit code will be printed just to the right of the delivery address.
Electronic Delivery Confirmation Now Available to 14 Countries
Along with Canada (added in January 2013), the USPS will be adding Electronic Delivery Confirmation to 13 additional countries for First Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes. This service will be available for no additional cost.
New countries offering Electronic Delivery Confirmation include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.
Package Insurance is Being Added to Priority Mail
Priority Mail is now going to include $50 of insurance for FREE if you print postage online (Commercial Base pricing). If you are approved for Commercial Plus pricing, you will receive $100 of insurance coverage. This insurance coverage is provided automatically by the USPS and claims will be to protect shippers against loss, damage or missing contents.
Stamps.com Will Automatically Update on July 28, 2013
As a Stamps.com customer, you will not need to do anything — the Stamps.com software and website will automatically be updated with all necessary changes for this USPS update.
The U.S. Postal Service is making operational changes to select shipping services starting Sunday, July 28, 2013. The changes being made include the following:
IMPORTANT!USPS postage rates are NOT INCREASING on Sunday, July 28, 2013 – these changes are operational only!!!
Express Mail Renamed to Priority Mail Express Express Mail is being renamed Priority Mail Express and Express Mail International is being renamed Priority Mail Express International. USPS research shows that having two shipping product names is confusing to customers, and so the USPS will simplify everything under the Priority Mail brand name.
Example of the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Box
Delivery service for Priority Mail Express will remain the same (overnight for domestic, 3-5 day for international). Also, older Express Mail boxes can still be used with the newly named Priority Mail Express through January 2014.
Estimated Delivery Date Included on Priority Mail Shipping Labels The USPS will be printing the estimated delivery date on all Priority Mail shipping labels. The date will be displayed at the top of the shipping label in bold text and will contain either “Priority Mail 1-Day,” “Priority Mail 2-Day” or “Priority Mail 3-Day.”
This is only an estimated delivery date and package shippers will not be able to choose a date-specific delivery service for Priority Mail. Delivery dates will be determined by where you’re shipping your package from and where you’re sending it.
Example of new Priority Mail shipping label. Note the "Priority Mail 1-Day" in the top section, and the Carrier Route Code next to the delivery address.
Additionally, Priority Mail labels will now include a four-digit Carrier Route Code to help speed up package delivery. The four-digit code will be printed just to the right of the delivery address.
Electronic Delivery Confirmation Now Available to 14 Countries Along with Canada (added in January 2013), the USPS will be adding Electronic Delivery Confirmation to 13 additional countries for First Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes. This service will be available for no additional cost.
New countries offering Electronic Delivery Confirmation include Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.
Package Insurance is Being Added to Priority Mail Priority Mail is now going to include $50 of insurance for FREE if you print postage online (Commercial Base Pricing). If you are approved for Commercial Plus Pricing, you will receive $100 of insurance coverage. This insurance coverage is provided automatically by the USPS and claims will be to protect shippers against loss, damage or missing contents.
Stamps.com Will Automatically Update on July 28, 2013 As a Stamps.com customer, you will not need to do anything — the Stamps.com software and website will automatically be updated with all necessary changes for this USPS update.
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