UPS Air services for WooCommerce Shipping

Exploring UPS Air services in WooCommerce

This article covers UPS Air services for domestic addresses, their benefits, and features along with the ability to retrieve real-time UPS Air rates, generate packages, and shipping labels, and track shipments using the WooCommerce UPS Shipping plugin as well as UPS Shipping via StorePep. As a retailer, you may be inquisitive about which are the fastest UPS Air services for domestic shipments. Well, if you’re using UPS to ship your goods out to your customers, then this article is meant for you. UPS Air Domestic services we’ll be covering in this article are: UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Early, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. While using UPS Air Domestic services, the user has the ability to get their packages shipped and delivered at the earliest. Being the fastest air service and one of the cheapest, we’ll go over each service as well as some of the benefits available with UPS Air while shipping domestically.


UPS Next Day Air 

next day air

UPS Next Day Air guarantees users an on-time delivery module. The service is made available to all the 50 states in the U.S as well as Puerto Rico. Packages will arrive at the destination anywhere between 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM or before the end of the following business day. Services and their delivery times will solely depend on the destination and will have limitations applied to Alaska and Hawaii.UPS Next Day Air: Guaranteed delivery by 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. where weekday shipments are delivered by 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 noon, respectively, based on destination

Few benefits of using UPS Next Day Air are:

  • The service is ideal for shipments which are meant to arrive the following day and not later.
  • Considering UPS provides money back for the shipping costs when the shipment has been delayed, this service is considered a guaranteed time-definite service
  • UPS will include Free UPS packaging at the shipper’s convenience
  • UPS provides UPS Next Day Air service to a larger population and is successfully able to complete the scheduled task before 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM

UPS Next Day Air Early

ups next day air early

Considered as one of the earliest delivery services available by UPS, the UPS Next Day Air Early is one which provides a guarantee that any and all shipments sent through this service will be delivered on-time overnight.UPS Next Day Air Early: Guaranteed delivery one hour later than the guaranteed weekday delivery time, as early as 9:00 a.m., based on destination

The delivery time is broken down into the following:

  • Major Cities within the 48 Contiguous States – UPS Next Day Early will deliver shipments to all Major Cities no later than 8:00 AM the following morning
  • Other Cities within the U.S including Alaska – Shipments will be delivered on or before 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM or 9:30 AM
  • UPS Next Day Air Early also provides extended delivery to specific locations where delivery has been guaranteed well up to 2:00 PM

Few benefits of using UPS Next Day Air Early are:

  • Money back for delays in shipments, guaranteed by UPS
  • UPS will include Free UPS packaging at the shipper’s convenience
  • UPS Next Day Early AM is the only service which can boast about the ability to deliver to more Zip codes by 8:00 AM
  • UPS Next Day Air Early services many more businesses and is able to deliver shipments within the stipulated time frame

UPS Next Day Air Saver

ups next day air saver

UPS Next Day Air Saver provides a guaranteed on-time delivery service to all commercial destinations within the 48 contiguous states in the U.S as well as select locations in Alaska and Hawaii. Shipments that are being sent to the 48 contiguous states will have a delivery commitment where the package will reach the destination, the earliest at 10:30 AM and no later than 12:00 PM the following day. Whereas, shipments sent to the set regions of Alaska and Hawaii will arrive between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM. All shipments sent to residential addresses while using UPS Next Day Air Saver will be delivered by the end of that day.

The benefits of shipping via UPS Next Day Air Saver are:

  • UPS provides a money back guarantee if packages are not delivered by the next day afternoon.
  • Delivery to Commercial destinations will be carried out before 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM the following day. Residential addresses have the benefit of receiving their packages by the end of that day.
  • UPS Next Day Air Saver is a service which includes Free UPS packaging.

UPS 2nd Day Air 

ups 2nd day air

UPS provides 2nd business day delivery where shipments are sent to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and with limitations in Alaska and Hawaii. Shipments sent via UPS 2nd Day Air will receive the guaranteed delivery clause where a shipment will reach its destination on or before the end of the second business day

UPS 2nd Day Air provides its users with a few benefits, some are:

  • The most economical shipping option available for those shippers who would not require any overnight service
  • A delivery guarantee will be provided for every address in the continental U.S and Puerto Rico. (UPS 2nd Day Air delivers to all addresses in the U.S and Puerto Rico)
  • Includes Free UPS packaging for the convenience of the shipper.

UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.

ups 2nd day air a.m

UPS 2nd Day Air A.M is an air service that guarantees their users an on-time delivery by 10:30 A.M or 12:00 P.M on the second business day. This is applicable only to metropolitan commercial destinations in the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. Alaska and Hawaii will receive their shipments between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM on the second business day with certain limitations.This service is not available to destinations where UPS Next Day Air is committed by the end of that day.This service is not available to any residential addresses.

UPS 2nd Day Air A.M has few benefits, these are:

  • 2nd Day Air A.M is a cost-effective service made available for time-sensitive business needs
  • Most commercial destination in the U.S is delivered by 10:30 AM or 12:00 PM on the second business day.
  • Includes Free UPS packaging for the shipper’s convenience.

Value Added Services and Optional Services for UPS Domestic Air services.

UPS Next Day Air Early
UPS Next Day Air 
UPS Next Day Air Saver
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.
UPS 2nd Day Air 
Adult signature required
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
COD
Y
Y
YY
Y
Delivery change request
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Delivery confirmation (UPS)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Direct delivery only
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Hold for pickup
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Proof of Delivery
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Saturday Delivery
Y
Y
Y
Signature required
Y
Y
Y
Y
Daily pickup
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Day-specific pickup
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Print return label
Y
Y
Y
Ship to UPS Access point location
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Third party billing service
Y
YYY
Y

Few of the Value Added services we’ll discuss are:

Adult Signature Required 

  • UPS will make sure to obtain the necessary signature upon delivery and will include it with the mailed Delivery Confirmation information. The rate is per UPS for an Adult Signature is $6.05

C.O.D (Collect on Delivery)

  • An attempt will be made by UPS to collect the amount shown on either the C.O.D. tag or package label, once done, the payment is sent to the shipper. However, in cases where the payment cannot be collected after three attempts, the package will be returned.
  • C.O.D. service is available for packages shipped throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 

Delivery change Request

  • This value-added service is applicable for domestic packages and import shipments only.
  • When notifying the consignee that the delivery will occur, the consignee can request UPS to hold the package at a UPS Customer center for pickup. However, after the first delivery attempt has been made then the consignee may request a Delivery Change Request for a package, hold for future delivery, change a domestic package’s delivery location or deliver domestic packages to a UPS Access Point location.
  • Consignees can request for the change in delivery via the Track application on UPS

Delivery Confirmation

  • An email confirmation of the delivery is sent, this includes the delivery date, the package disposition or the name of the recipient and in case there is a return then the nature of the return.

Direct delivery only

  • Unless specified by the shipper, a package cannot be re-routed or delivered to an alternate address. 

Hold for Pickup

  • UPS will hand deliver the package to a selected UPS Customer Center and proceed with calling the recipient for pickup. The pickup usually is scheduled by 8:30 AM on the day of delivery. Each recipient will have to present a valid government-issued photo ID. In the event where a representative of the recipient has to receive the package, then he/she will have to present an official authorization letter on company letterhead along with a company ID.
  • All packages that are not picked up within five business days will be returned to the shipper
  • Hold for Pickup service is not available for Saturday Delivery.
  • For each package, while preparing the label, customers must include the words “Hold for Pickup,” the recipient’s name and telephone number along with the full address of the UPS Customer Center.

Proof of Delivery

  • This is a service that can be requested once the shipment has been delivered
  • Proof of Delivery will include the time of delivery, full delivery address along with the name and signature of the person who accepted your shipment, if available.
  • The proof of delivery can be provided via e-mail, fax or mail and is subject to a charge which will be assessed to the shipper.

Saturday Delivery

  • UPS offers shippers the convenience of Saturday Delivery in certain areas for time-critical shipments.
  • UPS Next Day Air Early shipments are generally guaranteed one hour later than the guaranteed weekday delivery time
  • UPS Next Day Air shipments generally are delivered an hour and a half later than the guaranteed weekday delivery time.
  • UPS 2nd Day Air shipments are guaranteed by end of the day
    • Each shipment should brand the sticker “Saturday Delivery” in order for it to be delivered on a Saturday

Daily Pickup

  • When the Daily pickup option has been selected, a UPS driver stops at the pickup location once each day as scheduled.

Day-specific Pickup

  • You are given the opportunity to select which days are best for your business to specify pickups on those selected days. The UPS diver will stop at the pickup location between Monday to Friday and will pick up the shipments on the specific days selected.
  • A shipper is billed weekly based on the number of pickups he has opted for each week.

Print Return Label

  • As a shipper, you will have to print the return label and include it in the outbound shipment which can be used by the recipient who will apply the label to the package in case of a return.

Ship to Access Point location

  • The ship to a UPS Access Point Location Service is made available to all shippers with a valid UPS small package account number.
  • Advise: Only shippers with an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of wine may ship wine to a UPS Access Point location,

Third-Party Billing Service

  • All Third Party billing will result in a surcharge that is levied on the payer. This is based on changes that include transportation and accessorials and excludes duties and taxes assessed by government authorities.

Optional charges for UPS Domestic Air shipments

UPS Next Day Air Early
UPS Next Day Air 
UPS Next Day Air Saver
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.
UPS 2nd Day Air 
Additional Handling
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Address Correction
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Delivery area surcharge
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
UPS on-call pickup
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Over maximum limit
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Tracking and Refund requests
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Remote area surcharge
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Residential surcharge
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Special handling of undelivered shipments
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y`

A few of the Optional services we’ll discuss are:

Additional Handling

  • UPS can apply an Additional Handling charge for packages that require special handling. The conditions are:
    • Weight – A package is not to exceed 70 lbs. Every package in a shipment where the weight per package is greater than 70 lbs or the weight is not specified on the source document or the UPS automated shipping system.
    • Length – Any package whose longest sides exceed 48 inches will be subject to an additional handling fee.
    • Width – A package’s second longest sides are not to exceed 30 inches.
    • Packaging – Any and all packages that are not fully encased in corrugated cardboard, metal, wood, hard plastic, or expanded polystyrene.
  • The Additional handling fee applies per package for both domestic and international services.
  • If a package meets the multiple criteria mentioned above, then only one Additional handling fee will be collected. UPS looks at collecting the Additional handling fee in the following order: Weight, Length, Width, and Packaging.

Address Correction

  • UPS will make an attempt to correct or complete the address in case any shipment has an incorrect address mentioned on it. UPS may also correct or complete an address based on information obtained from the shipper or consignee.
  • An Address Correction charge will be levied on the shipper in the event of address correction or completion.

Delivery Area Surcharge

  • A surcharge applies to each package delivered to certain ZIP Codes within the 48 contiguous states

UPS Oncall Pickup

  • A surcharge applies to each residential UPS On-Call Pickup request at certain ZIP Codes within the 48 contiguous states. A surcharge will apply (in addition to all applicable Area Surcharges) to any UPS On-Call Pickup from a location that is a home, including a business operating out of a home. 

Over Maximum Limit

  • UPS will not accept packages that are greater than:
    • Actual weight – 150 pounds
    • Length – 108 inches
    • 165 inches in length plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined

UPS measures packages to determine their billable weight, in doing so if packages exceed the limitations mentioned above, UPS will not accept the package for transportation. However, if the package has been found in the UPS system, then they are subject to additional charges. UPS reserves the right to return the package to the shipper at the shipper’s expense. 


Tracking and Refund Requests

  • A shipper may be charged per request for tracing a package, excessive tracking, and refund requests.

Remote Area Surcharge

  • UPS will apply a Remote Area Surcharge to deliveries to certain Postal Codes within Alaska and Hawaii and select origins and destinations. 
  • The Remote Area Surcharge applies to any UPS On-Call Pickup request made within certain ZIP Codes within Alaska and Hawaii 

Residential Surcharge

  • UPS will impose a surcharge in case the shipment has to be delivered to a location that is a home, or business from a home.

Special handling of Undelivered Shipments

  • UPS return shipments to the shipper for those which can not be delivered due to any reason beyond UPS control or in the case where a consignee refuses the package. When a package is returned to the shipper, it is at the shipper’s expense. Return services provided will be UPS 3 Day Select for Air Services and UPS Ground for UPS Ground shipments at the applicable rate. 

Displaying UPS Air services rates with WooCommerce UPS Plugin

woocommerce ups

Displaying Real-time rates for UPS Air Domestic services is now fairly easy with WooCommerce. As WooCommerce does not provide stand-alone UPS services, the WooCommerce UPS Shipping plugin will do just the trick. The plugin is easy to use, and a time-efficient tool that generates real-time rates. The plugin also provides its user with the ability to make adjustments to rates, create custom packaging methods, generate and print shipping labels and also ship via Freight. In order to obtain UPS Air Domestic services with the WooCommerce UPS Shipping plugin you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Begin by setting up the UPS plugin in the WooCommerce store
  • No direct to the plugin’s settings page and enable the appropriate Domestic Air services WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > UPS > Services (shown below)
UPS Air
Services and Packaging tab in the plugin settings page

  • Proceed to the store and begin adding items into your shopping cart. The services which are enabled in the plugin will appear in the Shipping calculator depending on the destination address and the item being shipped. (shown below)
UPS Air
UPS Air services to California

For shipments to the U.S, the list of available services that appear are Next Day Air Saver – $33.37Next Day Early AM -$67.50Next Day Air – $33.572nd Day Air AM -$21.912nd Day Air – $20.51Upon clarifying the rates with UPS by using UPS’s official rate calculator, we do see that the rates match one another. (shown below)

UPS Air
UPS Air shipments (Domestic Rates)

UPS Air
UPS Air services to Puerto Rico

For shipments to Puerto Rico, the list of available services that appear are:2nd Day Air -$52.24Next Day Air – $85.52


Generating labels for UPS Air Domestic services in WooCommerce

Now that the setup has been completed and the plugin is able to calculate the real-time rates in the store, it is time to proceed to generate labels for the shipments as well as commercial invoices for orders being shipped outside the U.S. coastal region. To do so, you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Upon confirming the order, proceed to the Order Details page in WooCommerce by navigating to WooCommerce > Orders > Click on the Order Number
  • Scroll down on the order details page until you reach UPS Shipment Label (shown below)
UPS Air
Generating UPS Air Shipping Label in WooCommerce

The UPS Shipment Label section provides the store owner the ability to Generate and Print Shipping Labels, Create and Print a Commercial Invoice as well as Generating Return Labels. The Shipment Label is the label that will be fixed on the package when it is designated ‘Ready to be Shipped‘ This label will specify the package details apart from the Ship From and Ship To addresses. A sample Shipping label to California, USA using the UPS Next Day Air Early is shown below

UPS Air
Sample Shipping Label – Next-Day Air Early

A sample Shipping label to San Juan, Puerto Rico using the UPS 2nd Day Air is shown below

UPS Air
Sample Shipping Label – UPS 2nd Day Air

While generating shipment labels to Puerto Rico, the plugin will automatically generate a Commercial Invoice which must be fastened with the package and dropped off with the Authorised UPS Driver or at the Registered UPS Customer center. A Commercial Invoice is a legal document that is sent to the recipient that describes the contents of the package as well as the amount due from the customer. This document is a mandate document that is required by customs officials to determine the customs value. A sample Commercial Invoice which was sent to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the UPS 2nd day Air shipment is shown below

UPS Air
Sample Commercial Invoice – Puerto Rico

Displaying UPS Air Rates in WooCommerce by using StorePep

ups air

With StorePep, UPS users are able to Generate and Print Shipping Labels and Track their Shipments using the authentic UPS Tracking number. In order to generate labels and receive the tracking information, you will have to follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Begin by Integrating your WooCommerce store with StorePep
  • Once the integration has been completed, you will have to set-up the carrier for your store (in this case UPS) by navigating to StorePep > Account Setup > Carriers > Add (shown below)
UPS Air
Adding a Shipping Carrier to StorePep

  • While selecting UPS, you will receive a list of settings. Few are mandatory, which will enable you to receive real-time rates in your WooCommerce store. These are highlighted below
UPS Air
Setting up the UPS Account

  • From the above image, it is clear that the UPS Account Number, User ID, Password, and Access key are mandatory for the API to return real-time rates. 
  • In the other details field, you’re given the ability to configure the label and additional services for that particular UPS account. 
  • Once these are configured in the right manner, the cart page of the online store will look like this (shown below)
UPS Air
Real-Time rate calculation

Generating Shipping Labels for UPS Air services using StorePep

  • Once the order has been placed, proceed to the Order details page in StorePep and Generate the shipping labels (shown below)
UPS Air
Generating Shipping Labels

  • When the labels are generated, you will have to navigate to Label Batch on the left panel to have the labels printed. This feature also gives the shipper the ability to print the packaging slip along with the UPS Tracking number.
UPS Air
Printing the Shipping Label, Packaging slip and obtaining the Tracking number

  • A sample Shipping label and Packaging Slip as generated by StorePep
UPS Air
Sample UPS Air Shipping Label
UPS Air
A sample packaging slip

Conclusion

This article covers everything you need to know about UPS Air Domestic services and their benefits. The WooCommerce UPS Shipping plugin and StorePep are two solutions for all your UPS shipping needs and requirements customers are delivered what was promised. The real-time rates and shipping labels along with the commercial invoice have all been generated from the UPS API and no changes were made to the format or layout.

For any further queries or concerns pertaining to UPS Air Domestic services, please reach out to our PluginHive Support Team and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

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