The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) has made improvements to its infrastructure to prepare for the annual holiday returns season.
U.S. eCommerce return volume is expected to rise 4.2 percent this year (Retail and eCommerce Briefing, 2023). As the number of items ordered online and shipped to consumers grows, so will the demand for easy, convenient return methods to attract new and repeat business.
The Postal Service™ is ready for the returns season:
n We cover everywhere. There are over 33,000 Post Offices nationwide for shipping returns and over 165 million addresses with free Package Pickup on the carrier’s route.
n It’s easier for businesses to insure returns with USPS. Insurance is available for all return products up to $5,000.
n We offer one universal shipping permit. To streamline shippers needs, there is one universal shipping permit that covers Parcel Return Service, USPS Returns®, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage™.
n Enhanced Returns Dashboard. USPS developed an internal tool that enhances the ability to monitor returns and drive performance
n Priority Mail Express® Returns include up to $100 insurance. This expedited service provides date certain next-day to 2-day return service for packages up to 70 pounds with a money-back guarantee.
n Priority Mail Returns® include up to $100 insurance, free priority packaging, and “Package Free Returns.” A fast and affordable way to ship returns for packages up to 70 pounds for delivery within 1–3 business days.
n USPS Ground Advantage Returns include up to $100 insurance. An affordable and reliable way to send returns for packages up to 70 pounds for delivery within 2–5 business days.
n Return labels printed at Self-service Kiosks (SSKs). 2,700 SSKs were deployed nationwide so consumers can conveniently print labels.
n Continued expansion of our returns processing capabilities. A total of 13,005 active Parcel Return Service return delivery units and 135 returns processing facilities across the country are available for picking up packages.
USPS understands that keeping returns convenient for the shopper is crucial to the shippers’ bottom line and customer retention. Return labels can be included in the customer’s original order, requested though a merchant, or delivered directly to the customer’s address. Customers must attach return labels to their package and either take their item to a Post Office™ or Contract Postal Unit, or schedule a Package Pickup at usps.com. Pickups are available in 40,287 ZIP Codes.
When customers do not have a printer or do not want to travel to their local Post Office, USPS Label Delivery is the solution. Shippers can request labels at usps.com or through the USPS Returns Application Programming Interface (API) and have them delivered to a residential or business address for a fee.
Customers can receive USPS Returns service labels (Priority Mail Express Return, Priority Mail Returns, and USPS Ground Advantage Return) for free through the USPS Returns API. These labels are processed using the new automated returns system in USPS Ship.
USPS Returns service account holders are responsible for paying the postage and fees through an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account. An EPS account ensures that items can be returned, at no charge to customers, using merchant-provided USPS Returns service labels.
For more information, use the following resources:
n USPS Returns Service program details at federalregister.gov/documents/2020/02/25/2020-03170/usps-returns-service.
n USPS Web Tools Returns Label API onboarding, technical documentation, and other features at usps.com/business/web-tools-apis/welcome.htm.
Businesses that create their own return labels may also distribute them to customers via the Label Broker®. Designed for customers without a printer, the Label Broker allows merchants to store labels in a secure USPS repository. Customers may then print labels at their local Post Office or at usps.com. For more information, visit usps.com/business/label-broker.htm.
The Postal Service also offers other options to help businesses create and deliver return labels to their customers. Businesses that use Priority Mail Express Return, Priority Mail Returns, USPS Ground Advantage Returns, or Parcel Returns services can generate labels for their customers through the easy-to-use label generation tool, Merchant Returns Application.
On their own or with the help of merchant agents, customers can:
n Generate a ready-to-use return label.
n Print the label or have the label emailed to them for printing.
n Schedule a Package Pickup:
n Directly on the Merchant Returns web page; or
n Scan a QR code at the bottom of the label.
n Locate the nearest Post Office:
n Use the PO Locator on usps.com; or
n Scan a QR code at the bottom of the printed label.
Customers can use the Merchant Returns Application in the following ways:
n A link on the merchant website directs consumers to the USPS Returns customer-facing page to create labels.
n Merchant agents use USPS Returns to generate and send labels to customers.
n Merchants integrate with the USPS Merchant Returns API to generate labels.
By providing their address, shipping information, and choice in label delivery (e.g., a printable PDF, a pop-up window, or an email message), customers can generate labels at customized merchant pages that are specifically tailored to fit the merchant’s needs and products.
For more information on enhancing business websites with the Merchant Returns API, review the Merchant Returns API User’s Guide at postalpro.usps.com.
Expect more USPS Returns enhancements in 2024!
— Shipping and Commerce Product Management,
Business Solutions, 12-28-23
