USPS Returns

USPS Returns replaces manual postage and fee assessments with automated pricing.1USPS Returns User Guidepage 3“The new methodology for USPS Returns replaces current manual postage and fee assessments and improves visibility of return packages.”USPS original Upgraded mail processing equipment captures each package's attributes, and USPS prices the package from them.1USPS Returns User Guidepage 3“USPS Returns leverages upgraded Mail Processing Equipment (MPE) to capture package attributes to expedite processing and enable consistently accurate pricing.”USPS original The package then goes directly to the returns customer, the business that issued the label.1USPS Returns User Guidepage 3“The upgraded infrastructure enables USPS to price each package individually, provide package-level visibility for pricing, eliminate most manual pricing activities, and return packages directly to Returns customers.”USPS original

It answers problems in the Merchandise Return Service process, the returns program billed by hand.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“Legacy MRS labels will continue being processed/billed through the manual MRS workflow (shipper’s local payment account or CAPS account is billed in PostalOne!).”USPS original That process relies on sampling, lacks package-level pricing and visibility, and holds packages at postage due units.5PostalPro: USPS Returns“The current MRS process pose challenges such as reliance on sampling, lack of package-level pricing details, lack of visibility when a returned package travels through the mail stream, and packages held at postage due units before being returned to traditional verification customers.”USPS original

A merchant qualifies with at least 10,000 returns a year.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Receive a minimum of 10,000 returns per year.”USPS original Any mix of eligible mail classes counts toward that total.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Any combination of eligible classes of mail may be combined to meet this threshold.”USPS original The merchant also holds a Merchandise Return Service permit and pays its account maintenance fees each year.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Must establish a MRS permit and pay applicable account maintenance fees annually.”USPS original

Scan Based Payment and Parcel Return Service Full Network customers keep their labels and service type codes.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“Scan Based Payment and Parcel Return Service (PRS)-Full Network customers do not need to make any changes to their label formats and will continue using the STC(s) utilized today.”USPS original Every other customer, including Merchandise Return Service customers, moves to the USPS Returns label.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“All other customers, including those using MRS, must transition to the new automated USPS Returns label design.”USPS original

USPS Returns runs in three phases: enrollment, transactions and reporting.1USPS Returns User Guidepage 3“Appendix E, USPS Returns, shows the key steps in Enrollment, Transactions, and Reporting.”USPS original After enrollment, USPS prices each package per transaction as it moves through the network.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“USPS Returns packages will be priced per transaction using published commercial, NSA or CPP prices, as applicable as they move through the USPS network and as follows:”USPS original

When the returns customer preprints a QR code on the label, a consumer can scan it to request a free pickup or find a Post Office.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“Consumers can also scan the Quick Release (QR) Code on the USPS Returns label to request free package pickup or to locate a Post Office for package drop off, if one is pre-printed on the label by the USPS Returns customer.”USPS original The returns customer can sign up for a notice when a package enters the mailstream.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“USPS Returns customer can enroll in package tracking and receive a notification when their USPS Returns packages have been detected as being entered into the USPS mailstream.”USPS original

A USPS Returns label is 4x6 inches.12USPS Returns User Guidepage 5“The USPS Returns label dimensions are 4x6”USPS original It must carry these design elements:12USPS Returns User Guidepage 5“USPS Returns labels must have the following design elements:”USPS original

• Service Icon Block
• Postage Guarantee Imprint
• Pre-Printed or Handwritten Return Address
• Service Banner
• Delivery Address
• IMpb with the Mailer ID and service type code

The label may also carry additional information and a user segment or QR code.12USPS Returns User Guidepage 5“OPTIONAL: Additional information and User Segment/QR Code (7)”USPS original

A customer can request a USPS Cloud Tool API label option.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“USPS has a Cloud Tool Application Interface (API) label option that can be requested by contacting the USPS Mailing & Shipping Solution Center at 1-877-672-0007.”USPS original It can also print its own labels, with vendor software or with its own barcode software.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“USPS Returns customers may purchase software through a vendor that has authorized USPS label options. … USPS Returns customers may create their own labels with barcode/label template software.”USPS original The National Customer Support Center certifies privately printed labels.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“Privately printed labels must be certified by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC).”USPS original For certification, the shipper sends 10 sample labels and PS Form 5052.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“Shipper must send 10 sample labels and PS Form 5052, Printer Certification Submission (https://about.usps.com/forms/ps5052.pdf) to:”USPS original

The service type code is the identifier in the IMpb that sets the mail class and any extra services.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“The STC is a unique identifier included in the IMpb which specifies the Mail Class and may include Extra Services”USPS original The customer picks codes by mail class and extra services.8USPS Returns User Guidepage 6“Choose the USPS Returns Service Type Codes (STC) based on the desired mail class and /or mail class and Extra Service (s) from the available STC that are listed in Appendix B.”USPS original

USPS prices each package per transaction at published commercial prices or at contract prices.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“USPS Returns packages will be priced per transaction using published commercial, NSA or CPP prices, as applicable as they move through the USPS network and as follows:”USPS original It uses the first price in this order that it can:7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“The following pricing hierarchy will be used:”USPS original

USPS calculates the average each month for each Mailer ID and mail class, from characteristic-priced packages.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“The USPS Returns customer specific average postage is calculated on a monthly cadence for each MID/Mail class combination based on characteristic-priced packages.”USPS original It needs at least 25 such packages first.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“A minimum of 25 characteristic-priced packages is required before shipper specific averages can be established.”USPS original An average applies in the next calendar month.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“Calculated average price is used in the next calendar month.”USPS original

USPS calculates a default price for each Mailer ID and mail class at account set-up.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“During account set-up, a default price will be calculated by USPS per MID and mail class combination.”USPS original A customer already using USPS for returns gets a default from its previous month of data.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“If the Returns customer is already using USPS for their returns (e.g. MRS), the previous month of historical data will be used to establish default postage.”USPS original A customer of another supplier may give USPS its returns profile from that supplier.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“If the Returns customer uses another supplier for their returns, they may provide their returns profile for the previous month from their current supplier which will be used to establish default postage.”USPS original Without returns data, USPS uses the previous month of outbound data.7USPS Returns User Guidepage 7“If returns historical data is not available, the previous month of historical outbound data will be used to establish default postage.”USPS original

A shipper with a Negotiated Service Agreement for one mail class pays published commercial prices for every other mail class.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“If a shipper has an approved NSA for only one mail class, they will receive published commercial prices for all other mail classes.”USPS original

USPS Returns also has a Scan Based Payment label.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Exhibit 23: USPS Returns (Scan Based Payment) Label”USPS original Items on that label are charged an average uniform price based on sampling, adjusted monthly.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Items are charged an average uniform price based on sampling, usually at the point of origin … The average uniform price is adjusted monthly”USPS original Its postage is collected for each piece that gets a physical scan in Product Tracking and Reporting.2Publication 199: Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systemspage 120“Postage is collected based on number of pieces receiving a physical scan in PTR”USPS original

USPS Ship, formerly the Package Platform, charges the EPS account linked to the package's Mailer ID.5PostalPro: USPS Returns“Detailed information on the USPS Ship (Formerly Package Platform) data elements available through the Informed Visibility Mail Tracking & Reporting (IV-MTR) application.”USPS original10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“The Package Platform will charge the EPS account associated to the MID at the time of the delivery scan event (scan Event Code 01) or fourteen days after last scan event when package attributes are not obtained.”USPS original It charges at the delivery scan, event code 01, or fourteen days after the last scan when it gets no package attributes.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“The Package Platform will charge the EPS account associated to the MID at the time of the delivery scan event (scan Event Code 01) or fourteen days after last scan event when package attributes are not obtained.”USPS original

A trust account is drawn down at once.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“If the EPS account provided during enrollment is a Trust Account, the EPS account will be drawn down immediately.”USPS original A debit account's transactions are held until 6:00 pm EST and billed once a day.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“If the provided EPS account is a Debit Account, transactions will be held until 6:00 pm EST and billed as a daily transaction.”USPS original

A returns customer reviews summary and transaction reports in EPS.10USPS Returns User Guidepage 8“USPS Returns customers will have the ability to review summary and transaction reports through the EPS.”USPS original It can also subscribe to transaction-level data feeds in IV-MTR, the Informed Visibility Mail Tracking & Reporting application at iv.usps.com.11USPS Returns User Guidepage 9“USPS Returns customers will also have the ability to enroll in customizable transaction level data extracts through the Informed Visibility® (IV®) Mail Tracking & Reporting (MTR) application (iv.usps.com).”USPS original A feed arrives as a push report over Secure File Transfer Protocol or as a pull report to download.11USPS Returns User Guidepage 9“Users will be able to select either Push Reports, which will be sent through Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or Pull Reports, which will be available for download.”USPS original A customer can use the feeds for reconciliation and for internal or external reporting.3USPS Returns User Guidepage 18“The data feeds can be used for any reconciliation and internal/external reporting.”USPS original

Four data feeds carry USPS Returns data:20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“The following data feeds will be available (See Table 2 for data field details):”USPS original

• Package Platform – Pricing Scan20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“Package Platform – Pricing Scan”USPS original
• Package Platform – Final Notification20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“Package Platform – Final Notification”USPS original
• EPS – USPS Returns Transactions20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“EPS – USPS Returns Transactions”USPS original
• EPS – Transaction Summary20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“EPS – Transaction Summary”USPS original

Data delegation in IV-MTR lets a user see another CRID's data or share data with another CRID.20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“In addition to visibility into their own CRID(s), users can request data visibility from or provide data visibility to another CRID through the data delegation functionality available in IV-MTR (See Figures 6 & 7).”USPS original

Scan event extracts stay available through Product Tracking and Reporting.20USPS Returns User Guidepage 10“In addition to the Package Platform Reporting available through IV-MTR, USPS Returns customers will continue to have access to the existing scan event extracts available through Product Tracking and Reporting (PTR).”USPS original A customer receives those scan events through Parcel Data Exchange, in the Business Customer Gateway.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“A customer receives scan events through Parcel Data Exchange (PDX) which is accessible through the BCG.”USPS original

The USPS Returns/Package Platform data dictionary lists each package's fields by the names IV-MTR shows.21USPS Returns User Guidepage 14“USPS RETURNS®/PACKAGE PLATFORM DATA DICTIONARY … IV Display Name”USPS original

In the USPS Returns phase, the assessed values do not differ from what the mailer claimed.22USPS Returns User Guidepage 15“Rate type that was assessed on the package by USPS, could be different from what was initially claimed by the mailer … Note: The assessed values will not be different for USPS Returns phase”USPS original

A returns customer is responsible for every processed package with its Mailer ID in the IMpb.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“USPS Returns customers are responsible for payment for all processed packages with their MID in the IMpb.”USPS original USPS collects through its normal accounts receivable process and can refer a case to the Inspection Service.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“USPS will handle collections through the normal accounts receivable process and if necessary will refer to the Inspection Service for review.”USPS original

USPS Returns detects duplicate labels in the mail stream.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“USPS has built duplicate label detection into USPS Returns.”USPS original For each duplicate, USPS charges the EPS account the customer's average or default postage.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“Whenever a duplicate label is detected in the mail stream the associated EPS account will be charged based on the USPS Returns customer’s Average or Default Postage.”USPS original

A package that never crosses mail processing equipment is still priced from employees' physical scans, such as the delivery scan.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“All physical scans performed by USPS employees are included in package processing to include retail and hand-held devices (i.e. Deliver scan Event Code 01).”USPS original When equipment can't read the IMpb, USPS keys it in by hand at delivery.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“USPS will manually key in IMpb on hand-held devices at point of delivery (Deliver scan Event Code 01).”USPS original

A legacy Merchandise Return Service label, one without an IMpb, stays in the manual workflow.4USPS Returns User Guidepage 12“Legacy MRS labels will continue being processed/billed through the manual MRS workflow (shipper’s local payment account or CAPS account is billed in PostalOne!).”USPS original Postage due units bill it to the customer's local MRS account or its MRS account linked to CAPS.24USPS Returns User Guidepage 17“To ensure legacy Merchandise Return Service (MRS) customers are charged properly: Postage Due Units should continue to bill customers who use legacy MRS labels through the customer’s locally funded MRS account or MRS account linked to CAPS.”USPS original

A package over 70 pounds is nonmailable and is held for pickup with a fee.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“The postal service maximum mail piece weight limit is 70 pounds. … Any item exceeding the 70-pound maximum is nonmailable, and if found in the postal network, must be secured for pick-up by the mailer or addressee and assessed a fee.”USPS original Unless it is picked up where it was entered, the overweight item fee is $100 per item.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“Except for items discovered and picked up at the same facility where they were entered, the overweight item fee of $100 will be assessed per item and be made within 14 calendar days or it will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the Postal Service.”USPS original An item not claimed within 14 calendar days is considered abandoned.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“Except for items discovered and picked up at the same facility where they were entered, the overweight item fee of $100 will be assessed per item and be made within 14 calendar days or it will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the Postal Service.”USPS original

A USPS unit that gets several nonmachinable returns, or packages that look shortpaid, emails uspsreturns@usps.gov.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“USPS unit should send email to uspsreturns@usps.gov.”USPS original The email includes photographs of the label and the package's weight or dimensions.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“Email should include a photograph(s): of the package label. … Please include weight and/or dimensions of package.”USPS original

The Mailing and Shipping Solution Center enrolls customers, at 1-877-672-0007.1USPS Returns User Guidepage 3“Contact the USPS Mailing and Shipping Solution Center at 1-877-672-0007 (1-877-MRC-0007).”USPS original It also takes requests for the Cloud Tool API label option.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“USPS has a Cloud Tool Application Interface (API) label option that can be requested by contacting the USPS Mailing & Shipping Solution Center at 1-877-672-0007.”USPS original

Confirmation Services handles label certification, at 1-877-264-9693, option 5.9USPS Returns Fact SheetPDF page 1“Confirmation Services (Label certification) Call: 1-877-264-9693 Option 5”USPS original

Sample labels for certification go to NCSC-Confirmation Services Support, 225 N Humphreys Blvd. STE 501, Memphis TN 38188-1001.6USPS Returns User Guidepage 4“Shipper must send 10 sample labels and PS Form 5052, Printer Certification Submission (https://about.usps.com/forms/ps5052.pdf) to: … NCSC-Confirmation Services Support, 225 N Humphreys Blvd. STE 501, Memphis TN 38188-1001.”USPS original

USPS units send reports of nonmachinable or shortpaid returns to uspsreturns@usps.gov.25USPS Returns User Guidepage 13“USPS unit should send email to uspsreturns@usps.gov.”USPS original

IV-MTR enrollment instructions are at https://postalpro.usps.com/InformedVisibility/ApplyForAccess.11USPS Returns User Guidepage 9“First time users can enroll in the IV-MTR service through the BCG; complete enrollment instructions are provided on PostalPro: https://postalpro.usps.com/InformedVisibility/ApplyForAccess.”USPS original