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.
What’s New!
Packageless Returns: Self-Service
n Return labels printed at Self-Service Kiosks (SSKs),
The Postal Service™ is ready for the returns season in the following ways:
n We cover everywhere. Over 31,000 post offices nationwide for customers to ship returns, and over 167 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 Offering one universal shipping permit. To streamline shippers’ needs, we have one universal shipping permit that covers USPS Returns®, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage®.
n Priority Mail Express Returns that includes up to $100 insurance. This includes 1-3 days return service up to 70 pounds. When urgency matters: A premium yet affordable solution.
n Priority Mail Returns includes up to $100 insurance, free priority packaging, and “Package Free Returns.” This includes 2-3 days fast and affordable ways to ship returns service up to 70 pounds. When you need speed and value, an efficient combination is ideal for time-sensitive or high-value items.
n USPS Ground Advantage Returns includes up to $100 insurance. This includes 2-5 days return service up to 70 pounds. When cost is a priority, an affordable ground option, is ideal for high-volume shippers and HAZMAT items that can’t travel by air.
n Return Labels printed at Self-Service Kiosks (SSKs): 2,700 SSKs deployed nationwide to provide consumers with the ability to print labels when it’s convenient.
n Rapid Dropoff Stations. Self-service technology that helps expedite Label Broker and prepaid mail acceptance transactions.
n USPS Smart Lockers. A self-service system that lets customers drop off prepaid or packageless return labels by scanning a Label Broker QR Code and no waiting in line.
Obtaining Return Labels
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 through a merchant or delivered directly to the customer’s address. Return labels must be affixed to the package and entered in the mailstream by customers by:
n Taking it to a Post Offices or Contract Postal Unit, or
n Scheduling a package pickup at usps.com. Pickups are available in 40,287 ZIP Codes.
USPS Label Delivery
When customers do not have a printer or want to travel to their local Post Office™, this is the solution. Shippers may request labels via USPS.com or USPS-APIs and have them delivered to a residential or business addresses for a fee.
USPS Returns Application Programming Interface (API)
Customers may receive USPS Returns service labels (Priority Mail Express Return®, Priority Mail Return®, and USPS Ground Advantage Return®) for free through USPS Returns API. These labels are processed using the 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 API, go to API Support, and features can be found at USPS APIs.
Merchant Return Options
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. Find more information at 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, or USPS Ground Advantage Returns 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 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 Directly on the Merchant Returns web page, or
n By scanning 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 To scan the QR code at the bottom of the printed label.
Merchant Returns Application
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 (a printable PDF, a pop-up window, or an email message), customers may generate labels at merchant custom-look pages, 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.
