The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) is working on an effort to drive product simplification. As part of this initiative, USPS will implement these changes in 2023.
Parcel Return Service (PRS) was designed for shippers who enter mail at destination entry facilities via Parcel Select® destination entry, which offers convenient access for PRS parcel pick-up at the same locations where destination entry mail is deposited (see Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, section 505.4.0).
However, not all customers are eligible to receive PRS rates; only Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) customers are eligible to use PRS. NSAs provide customized pricing/prices and classifications under the terms and conditions established in the agreement and may include modifications to current mailing standards and other postal requirements.
A Certificate of Mailing provides evidence that you sent an item, but does not provide record of delivery, proof of mailing, or insure items against loss.
Signature Confirmation provides shippers with the name of the recipient as well as the delivery date, time, and location; a copy of the recipient‘s signature will also be faxed, mailed, or emailed to the customer upon request.
Both Certificate of Mailing and Signature Confirmation services cause confusion and make it challenging for customers to understand price point differences. There has also been a decline in the usage of these two extra services in relation to our return products. The Postal Service believes that eliminating these extra services for our return products provides customers with a more efficient process and an improved customer experience.
Balloon pricing was used to discourage the shipment of large, lightweight items that take up a lot of space, but aren’t very heavy. If the package weighs less than 20 pounds, but measures more than 84 inches (but not more than 108 inches) in combined length and girth, customers are charged the oversized price for a 20-pound parcel. Eliminating balloon pricing for PRS will simplify the product offering and applicable surcharges, as well as employee responsibility to correctly assess and apply balloon pricing for this service.
— Shipping and Commerce Product Management,
Business Solutions, 1-12-23
