The Postal Service™ is making improvements to its shipping and returns infrastructure to prepare for the annual returns hustle and bustle.
This shopping season is likely to be even more hectic with a projected 800 million package deliveries between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The Postal Service delivers more packages to homes than any other shipper.
The Postal Service is ready for the challenge in the following ways:
n Automated authorization letter and PS Form 3801, Standing Delivery Order. The automated form allows our Parcel Return Service partners to electronically submit requests to expand pickup locations and identify agents authorized to pick up mail on their behalf. USPS® has over 16,714 Return Delivery Units and 186 Return Sectional Center Facilities across the country.
n Consumers package fewer returns. Through an operational test in 53 locations (within the Southern Area in the Dallas district), consumers may provide Retail Associates with an unpacked return item and a QR Code to have the item packaged and labeled for them at the Post Office™, and returned to the appropriate merchant.
n USPS Electronic Signature Online™ informed. This new online service allows Informed Delivery® customers to use an electronic signature to sign for Priority Mail Express®, Signature Confirmation™, and items insured for $500 or more, which increases the likelihood that USPS can deliver these signature items on the first attempt.
n Surface Visibility Mobile scanner enhancement. We have increased visibility by adding two new scan events for our Postal Vehicle Service drivers:
n Pickup.
n Delivered.
Return labels can either be included in the original order or requested through a merchant’s call center. Consumers then affix the return label to their package and mail it using one of the following options:
n Take it to one of 31,324 Post Offices nationwide,
n Drop it in more than 143,000 collection boxes (packages must meet aviation mail security guidelines), or
n Go to usps.com to schedule a Package Pickup at any of the 41,711 available ZIP Codes.
The Postal Service also offers a number of options that help businesses create and deliver return labels to customers. Businesses that use Priority Mail Returns® Service, First-Class Package Return® Service, Ground Return Service, and Parcel Return Service can use the Print and Deliver application to order return labels; USPS will then create those labels and deliver them, along with return instructions, to the following:
n One of 31,324 Post Offices nationwide;
n A domestic address; or
n One of more than 2,821 self-service kiosks, where consumers can print them.
Merchants can also instruct the Postal Service to hold the labels for pickup at a designated Post Office. Small and medium-sized merchants have the following options:
n Use the Merchant Returns Label Tool to generate USPS return labels.
n Use Label Broker™ to offer customers an easier way to print return shipping labels. Participating label providers simply give customers a Label Broker ID with a QR Code, and let USPS do the label printing at a Post Office.
— Shipping Products and Services,
Product Innovation, 1-2-20
