Shipping USPS Priority Mail for WooCommerce Users

USPS is a leading shipping carrier within the U.S and is one of the oldest postal services around. USPS has a list of services that are provided to customers and shippers. In this article, we will discuss USPS Priority Mail and USPS Priority Mail Express. We will also cover the feasibility of these services within WooCommerce by using the WooCommerce Multi-Carrier Shipping plugin and the ability to Generate and Print Shipping Labels using StorePep

USPS Priority Mail

USPS Priority Mail is a shipping service that delivers packages within 1-3 working days. This service features a flat rate for the delivery of a package or envelope to a given destination. With Priority Mail, each shipment should be below 70 lbs. With Flat rate pricing, USPS eliminates the need to weigh shipments and calculate fees for shipping and the price is determined by the type of box or envelope chosen and not the weight or the destination to where the package is being shipped.

Features of Priority Mail 

USPS Priority Mail has a list of features that come with the service. These features are:

• Regardless of where you are, Priority Mail provides free pickup services (office or home)
  • Priority Mail is a sought after service that allows users to Schedule pickups for their shipments from their residential and commercial addresses. You are able to schedule the pickup by filling the schedule pickup form located on the USPS website
• Shippers and Consignees are able to track their shipments.
  • Shippers and Consignees are both permitted to track their shipments, unique tracking numbers are generated once the shipment is confirmed and this helps the shipper/recipient to track the location of their shipment. USPS allows you to track your shipments in their Track Page by entering the tracking number in the search box.
• The estimated delivery time is between 1-3 business days.
  • Shipments that are sent out with Priority Mail have an estimated delivery time of 1-3 business days where holidays and the weekends are not included.
• Priority Mail includes up to $50 of insurance.
  • Each shipment will include up to $50 of insurance for the overall value of the package. Insurance is put in place in the case where a shipment is either lost, damaged or missing a part of the package. In order for the shipment to qualify for insurance, the shipment needs to have a valid USPS bar code on the package.
• There are no surcharges for fuel, be it a residential, rural or Saturday delivery.
  • With USPS Priority Mail, you won’t have to pay any additional surcharge for fuel even if the delivery is to take place on a Saturday or that the address of the consignee is residential or commercial.

Restrictions for shipping Priority Mail packages

While each service has its own features, they also have a list of restrictions set in place and will apply to that mode of shipment only. With USPS Priority Mail, the following restrictions have been set:

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USPS Priority Mail Express

USPS Priority Mail Express is quite similar to Priority Mail, but with a few changes. The most important of them is the Overnight Delivery Guarantee where this service is made available 365 days in a year and comes with a money back guarantee when shipments are not delivered on time. USPS Priority Mail Express covers most U.S addresses and PO boxes. Shipments that are below 70 lbs will not require to be weighed and the rate does not have to be calculated as Flat Rate envelopes are made affordable with one rate shipping to any state that is covered by Priority Mail Express.

Features of Priority Mail Express

USPS Priority Mail Express has a list of features that come with the service. These features are:

• There is no charge for package pickups when they are scheduled either from a residential address or a commercial address.
• USPS provides tracking and includes proof of delivery signature when shipments are delivered to the consignee. These services are included in the flat rate for the shipment.
• There is up to a $ 100 set for insurance in case of damage, lost shipments or missing cargo.
• Priority Mail Express provides overnight scheduled delivery by 10:30 am, or on a Sunday or holiday available in many major markets for an additional fee

Restrictions for shipping Priority Mail Express packages

While each service has its own features, they also have a list of restrictions set in place and will apply to that mode of shipment only. With USPS Priority Mail Express, the following restrictions have been set:

• The Maximum weight of any shipment sent via Priority Mail Express is a total of 70 lbs.
  • No package must exceed 70 lbs when being shipped under USPS Priority Mail service, in case the shipment weighs more than 70 lbs, USPS will calculate the weight of the package and will charge an additional Overweight fee for shipments over 70 lbs.
• When sealing a Flat Rate Envelope or Box, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds.
  • Do not exceed the number of folds when sealing a container. The flaps must close in its appropriate manner and not be bent or bulky.
• USPS has specific regulations that prohibit the shipping of hazardous materials which also include cigarettes and smokeless tobacco

Refunds

As the Priority Mail Express service comes with an On-time delivery Guarantee, USPS feels it’s their liability to process a  refund of the shipping costs if the shipment does not arrive on the guaranteed delivery date. In order to submit a refund request, it needs to be done within 30 days of the mailing date and you will have to direct yourself to the USPS Refund page to claim for the refund. In order to apply for a refund, the following information is required by USPS.All refunds need proof of purchase. You may need one or all of the following when you request a refund

• Tracking number
• Purchase receipt
• Photo ID

List of available Priority Mail Express products 

Supplies	Dimensions
Flat Rate Envelope	12.5 inches x 9.5 inches
Legal Flat Rate Envelope	15 in x 9.5 inches
Padded Flat Rate Envelope	12.5 inches x 9.5 inches

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Shipping USPS Priority Mail & Priority Mail Express with WooCommerce

While WooCommerce does not provide USPS Shipping services stand-alone, you’re able to generate and display rates for USPS services upon using the WooCommerce Multi-Carrier plugin. The plugin supports USPS, Stamps.com, DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Here, we’ll cover the rate calculation and how to display shipping rates using the plugin in WooCommerce.In order to receive rates for USPS shipments, you will have to follow the below steps:

• Begin by setting up the WooCommerce Multi-Carrier plugin.
• Now set up the USPS account in the plugin.
• Proceed to the Rule table and configure the table to include USPS Shipping methods. (shown below)

• Now that the Rule Table has been configured, you can head over to the store and begin purchasing items. 
• Add an item to the cart and enter the destination address, here in this example we’ve set California as the Serviceable area. (shown below)

• Since both the services are targetting California, both services will reflect in the shipping calculator.
• Upon confirming the order, the shipper will be able to view the service selected in the Admin panel of the website (shown below)

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Generating Shipping Labels using StorePep

With StorePep users are able to generate and print shipping labels and track their shipments using the authentic USPS Tracking number. *While configuring the USPS credentials in StorePep you will have to make sure the USPS credentials used have e-VS (Electronic Verification System) pre-enabled and only then proceed with the set-up. In order to Enable e-VS for USPS, you will have to refer to the following linkIn 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 USPS) by navigating to StorePep > Account Setup > Carriers > Add (shown below)

• When you select ‘Add Carrier‘ the list of available carriers will appear and select USPS from that list.

• Now complete the account details with the relevant USPS credentials in order to receive real-time rates in your store. (shown below)

• Click on ADD, toward the top right corner to save the settings.
• Once done, you can proceed to add items to your cart and allow the system to calculate the rates based on the destination address. (shown below)

• Process the order and proceed to StorePep, navigate to Orders > All Orders select the relevant Order Id and click on More Actions > Generate Labels to generate shipping labels (shown below)

• Now that this has been completed, proceed to Label Batch (in the left panel) and select the respective Order ID. Toward the right-hand side of the Order Id click on the Print option to print the shipping label for the order. 

• The Shipping Label will be generated and can be printed directly from the browser. A sample Priority Mail shipping label from StorePep(shown below)

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Conclusion

This article covers the two services provided by USPS, namely, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express. The article also covers the features and restrictions of shipping with USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express and also the ability to ship through WooCommerce by utilizing the Shipping plugin (WooCommerce Multi-Carrier Shipping plugin) and by using the StorePep solution to generating shipping labels for USPSIf there are any queries pertaining to the topic USPS Priority Mail with WooCommerce, please feel free to comment below or if needed, raise a ticket and our PluginHive Support Team will get back to you.