The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) continues to make improvements to its infrastructure to prepare for the annual holiday returns season.
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 31,000 Post Offices nationwide to ship returns and over 167 million addresses with free package pickup on the carriers’ routes.
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 Customers get Priority Mail Express® Returns that include up to $100 insurance.
Priority Express Mail provides:
n An affordable and reliable way to send returns for packages up to 70 pounds for delivery within 2-5 business days based on origin, destination, and drop-off time.
n Date-certain, next-day to 2-day return service for packages up to 70 pounds with a money-back guarantee based on origin, destination, and drop-off time.
n Return shipping for packages up to 70 pounds for delivery within 1-3 business days based on origin, destination, and drop-off time.
n Customers can print labels at Self-service Kiosks (SSKs). 2,700 SSKs were deployed nationwide so consumers can conveniently print labels.
n We offer rapid drop-off stations. Self-service technology allows customers to quickly print labels and drop off packages.
USPS understands that keeping returns convenient for the shopper is crucial to a business’s bottom line and ability to retain customers. Return labels can be included in the customer’s original order, requested though a merchant, or delivered directly to the customer’s address.
The customer must affix the return label to the package and enter it into the mailstream by:
n Taking it to a Post Office® or Contract Postal Unit.
n Scheduling a package pickup at usps.com. Pickups are available in 40,287 ZIP Codes.
When customers do not have a printer or want to travel to their local Post Office, this is the solution. Shippers can request labels via usps.com or USPS-APIs and have them delivered to a residential or business addresses 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 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 about USPS Web Tools Returns Label API onboarding, technical documentation, and other features, go to usps.com/business/web-tools-apis/documentation-updates.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 can print labels at their local Post Office or at usps.com. For more information, go to usps.com/business/label-broker.htm.
The Postal Service offers an option to help businesses create and deliver return labels to their customers called the Merchant Returns Application. Businesses that use Priority Mail Express Return, Priority Mail Returns, USPS Ground Advantage Returns, or Parcel Returns services can generate labels for their customers with this easy-to-use label generation tool.
Using the Merchant Returns Application, customers can quickly and easily:
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 Using the PO Locator on usps.com; or
n Scan a QR code at the bottom of the printed label.
The Merchant Returns Application is useful for merchants in the following ways:
n A link on the merchant website directs customers 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.
More returns enhancements are coming in 2025!
The Postal Service is ready for the “return” ride!
— Shipping and Commerce Product Management,
Business Solutions,12-26-24
