USPS from ShipEngine
USPS from ShipEngine offers domestic and international shipping services to ShipEngine accounts based in the US.
This guide provides developers the details needed to build USPS from ShipEngine shipping capabilities into your ShipEngine workflows.
ShipEngine also allows you to connect your own existing Stamps.com account to use the USPS services and rates available through that account in ShipEngine. The connection process and some usage details are different than those for USPS from ShipEngine. For details about connecting and using your own Stamps.com account with ShipEngine, see our USPS (Stamps.com) Carrier Guide.
Requirements
carrier_name: stamps_com
- A ShipEngine account based in the US.
- ShipEngine Carriers must be activated for the account and have a positive account balance to create labels. See our Using ShipEngine Carriers page for details about activating in your account.
- A weight value is required for all shipments.
Rates
USPS from ShipEngine supports rate shopping with ShipEngine.
Service Details
Available USPS from ShipEngine services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.
USPS Domestic Services
| Service | Transit Time | Maximum Dimensions (LxWxH) | Max Weight | Service Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage* | 2-5 days | 22" x 18" x 15" | 70 lbs | usps_ground_advantage |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1-3 days | varies by package type | 70 lbs | usps_priority_mail |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | 1-2 days | L x 2xW x H cannot exceed 108" | 70 lbs | usps_priority_mail_express |
| Media Mail | 2-9 days | L x 2xW x H cannot exceed 108" | 70 lbs | usps_media_mail |
*In 2023, USPS Ground Advantage replaced both USPS First Class Package and Parcel Select Ground services.
USPS International Services
| Service | Transit Time | Maximum Dimensions | Max Weight | Service Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS First Class Mail Intl | 7-21 days | L x 2xW x H cannot exceed 136" | 64 oz | usps_first_class_mail_international |
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | 6-10 days | L x 2xW x H cannot exceed 108" | 70 lbs | usps_priority_mail_international |
| USPS Priority Mail Express Intl | 3-5 days | L x 2xW x H cannot exceed 108" | 70 lbs | usps_priority_mail_express_international |
GlobalPost Services
GlobalPost international services are also available under the USPS from ShipEngine carrier, as USPS is the official first-mile carrier for GlobalPost shipments originating in the US. For all GlobalPost services, transit time will vary depending on the destination country.
| Service | Max Weight | Service Code |
|---|---|---|
| GlobalPost Economy Intl | 4.4 lbs | globalpost_economy |
| GlobalPost Standard Intl | 70 lbs | globalpost_priority |
| GlobalPost Plus | 66 lbs | gp_plus |
| GlobalPost SmartSaver Economy Intl | 4.4 lbs | globalpost_economy_smart_saver |
| GlobalPost SmartSaver Standard Intl | 70 lbs | globalpost_priority_smart_saver |
| GlobalPost Plus SmartSaver | 66 lbs | globalpost_plus |
Return Services
USPS from ShipEngine supports return labels using any domestic services. Review the Return Shipping Labels page for details on creating return labels with ShipEngine.
Packages
The following carrier package types are available for USPS services:
| Package Name | API Code | Package Details |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Flat Rate Box | medium_flat_rate_box | Domestic and international |
| Flat Rate Envelope | flat_rate_envelope | Domestic and international |
| Small Flat Rate Box | small_flat_rate_box | Domestic and international |
| Large Flat Rate Box | large_flat_rate_box | Domestic and international |
| Flat Rate Padded Envelope | flat_rate_padded_envelope | Domestic and international |
| Flat Rate Legal Envelope | flat_rate_legal_envelope | Domestic and international |
Adding Shipment Insurance
USPS from ShipEngine supports adding either carrier insurance or Parcelguard insurance (but not both) to shipments created in ShipEngine.
Review the Parcel Insurance page for details about adding shipment insurance with ShipEngine.
Label Support
- Label sizes: 4" x 6"
- Label formats: PDF, ZPL
Label Reference Fields
USPS from ShipEngine supports adding custom label messages to all three label reference fields when using domestic services. International services do not support label messages.
Multi-Package Labels
USPS services do not support multi-package shipping labels at this time.
Label Branding
USPS from ShipEngine supports adding a custom label image to your labels. See our Create Custom Shipping Labels page for details.
Voiding Labels
USPS supports voiding labels with ShipEngine, but it must be done within 28 days of label creation and the label cannot have been scanned by the USPS.
Paperless Lables
USPS from ShipEngine supports paperless labels. This means you can generate a QR code for your customer and they can take that QR code to be scanned at participating USPS locations, who will then print the label for them.
Review our paperless labels page for details on how to generate a QR code instead of a printable label. Currently this supports the qr_code value for the display_scheme property.
Customs Declarations
Customs declarations for GlobalPost and GAP labels are submitted to the carrier electronically. See our International Shipments page for details about shpping internationally via ShipEngine.
Delivery Confirmation
| Confirmation Type | API Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| No confirmation | none | Default. When no delivery confirmation is requested. |
| Delivery | delivery | For general delivery confirmation. |
| Signature | signature | A signature is required to complete the delivery. Not supported for international shipments. |
| Adult Signature | adult_signature | An adult signature is required for the shipment to be delivered. |
| Restricted delivery | restricted_delivery |
Signature and Adult Signature confirmation types are not supported for international shipments.
See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.
Advanced Options
USPS from ShipEngine supports certain advanced options, which you can add to the shipment object when creating a shipment or label.
| Option | Name | Default Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non Machinable | non_machinable | false | Indicates that the package cannot be processed through USPS sorting machines. |
To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information about a carrier's advanced options, use the list carrier options call.
Dangerous Goods
USPS from ShipEngine does not support shipping dangerous goods.
Manifests
USPS from ShipEngine supports creating manifests (called SCAN forms) via ShipEngine. If you plan to create a USPS SCAN form, you must manifest your day's shipments by 9pm local time.
See our Manifests page for more details about creating manifests with ShipEngine.
Scheduling Pickups
USPS from ShipEngine supports scheduling pickups via ShipEngine. Pickups can only be scheduled one day in advance. For example, if you schedule a pickup on the 5th for the 7th, the pickup date scheduled by Stamps.com will be the 6th.
See our Schedule a Carrier Pickup page for more details about scheduling pickups using ShipEngine.
Service Points (PUDO)
USPS does not support shipping to service points.
Tracking
USPS from ShipEngine supports receiving tracking updates. Review our ​Track a Package guides​​ for details on tracking with the ShipEngine API.