USPS Shipping: How it works

[msnikkistar]

Since it seems like a contentious subject, and there are varying rules people have stated on the website, I felt the need to clarify how the USPS works.

I give these facts as someone who has worked in the USPS, and who's mother has worked in the USPS for 20+ years. Working up from a clerk to her present day position as a Human Resource/IT VP/Executive.

Question 1: Why did it take my priority shipment more then 3 days?
Answer: The general rule of thumb for priority mail is 2-3 days, however, it is can take up to 4 days to reach its destination. The delay usually occurs when an error has occurred in the routing of the package. (i.e sent to the wrong sorting facility). Unfortunately, these mistakes occur, and although it can be frustrating, little can be done about it.

Question 2: I shipped something out on Saturday by priority, but it took 5 days. Why?
Answer: If the item was shipped on Saturday, but didn't arrive to you until 5 days later, the reason is because the item was received at the originating postal office after the last pick up of the day. Typically, the cut off time for packages to continue on its way is 2:15 pm. However, in large cities, the cut off time may be later. Check with your local post office for the last pick up and ship accordingly if you need the item to arrive to its destination in 3 days. If the package was shipped after the last pick up of the day, it will remain at this location until Monday, when the next pick up occurs.

Question 3: Is the post office really operating on Sundays?
Answer: Although your local post office is not operating, the postal services sorting facilities are operating and mail is still being sent on its way to its destination. Unless changes occur in the future, this will continue.

Question 4: What happens to my package after I drop it off at my local post office?
The package is sent to the regional sorting facility. In smaller areas that are far from main metropolitan areas, there maybe an intermediate sorting facility. Typically these are the facilities you will pick up mail that is put on hold, but the facility does not handle any customer transactions (i.e paying for shipping, applying for passports, etc...). These facilities will then ship mail out to the main sorting facilities. Again, these are open on Sundays and mail is still being moved.

Question 5: What else do I need to know about the USPS?
Answer: The post office calculates shipping costs based on zones. It will be more expensive to ship items out from Zone 1 to Zone 5, and vice versa.

Express mail is not always guaranteed for overnight. Many times, depending on your location, it can only be guaranteed for 2 days. Remember, the closer the destination of the shipment is to you, the faster it will arrive because the shipment does not have to go through as many sorting facilities.

Question 6: Is it okay for you to ship shrimp or fish in water, or any liquids at all?
Yes, it is okay. However, the package must be securely packaged to prevent leakage. This means you must pack the item with absorbent materials in case of an accident. Also, you must abide by whatever wildlife regulations in your state and the state in which the package is to be received. Items containing corrosive ingredients have strict shipping regulations. To view these regulations, visit the USPS website.

As a side note, some of you may encounter USPS clerks or employees that will tell you that they can not do it. This is not true. Unfortunately, some employees are not well versed in the rules of shipping and will rather say "No" then have to find the correct answer. In the event you should be told no, please refer to the following: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c5_007.htm#ep197809

Question 7: Why is tracking of my item so off?
Answer: Quite honestly, the USPS's tracking method isn't the best. They won't update information outside of Express mail on a regular basis. Sometimes it can take up to 24 hours for shipment information to be updated if it is not sent via Express. I know that they are working on a new website at the moment, and I hope the new one will address this issue, but in the interim, tracking is just plain broke.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you may have regarding shipping via USPS. If I know the answer, I will post it. If I do not, I can get the answer from my mother.

Thanks, and I hope this helps people.


Update: 9/14/10
I just spoke with my mom, and she let me know that sometime in the near future, the USPS will begin to stop giving discounts for shipping online. She is unsure of the exact date, but this will be implemented at some point. So don't be surprised if one day it happens.

[PRSRocker3390]

Very informative post. That should help a lot of people who are just starting out to ship and receive plants through USPS.

[paulrw]

great info! i must say i use USPS every chance i can. a great example i frequently order from a bodybuilding web site they offer both USPS and FedEx on a product i buy monthly the USPS price is 3.99 2-3 day shipping. FedEx 5.99 3-5 day shipping???? there's no question which one i chose USPS always arrives in 2 days!

[Gatekeeper]

Great post.

[fooledyas]

Great post! Just wanted to add that Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are a great tool for posting shipping costs on places like S&S and ebay because you can post a shipping price based on the box size. If the zone rated price turns out to be less than you save some money.
I can verify that the sorting occurs on Sunday because I'm there every Sunday

[sewingalot]

Do you have any pull with the Postmaster? If so beg them not to go to 5 day deliveries! Great post.

[mistergreen]

Any laws to shipping wet stuff and transporting fish, plants and snails and maybe even fertilizer?

[fishsandwitch]

There has to be enough material to absorb the water and it must be marked. But a lot of clerks dont know the rules so if you tell them there are shrimp in the package they wont let you ship.

[msnikkistar]

Originally Posted by sewingalot

Do you have any pull with the Postmaster? If so beg them not to go to 5 day deliveries! Great post.

Haha, unfortunately, I do no have any pull with the postmaster general. The USPS currently has a deficit of 200+ billion. Because of this, they are trying to stop deliveries on Saturday. They are also talking about a 10-20% layoff of its employees with 5 or less years.

Originally Posted by mistergreen

Any laws to shipping wet stuff and transporting fish, plants and snails and maybe even fertilizer?

From what I know, there are laws regarding plants. (I will verify all this information with my mom) Plants must be legal in the state in which the shipment is to be received. As for live animals, fish is correct, any shipments with water in it must have enough absorbance in case of a spill.

[GTR]

And you can't use duct tape for postal packaging. I used it for a couple years and then one day a counter worker told me of the rule. I asked why since it's a lot cheaper and just as strong as filament tape. She told me that I can't use it because the uni-bomber used it for some of his packages. lol

I ship a lot of 39"-75", 3" I.D. cardboard tubes with window channels in them and I never had the end caps pop off when they damaged the tube when I used duct tape.

SteveU

[Nymsley]

When you bring a package to the clerk, they ask you if the contents have water, are perishable, fragile, and something else. They then stamp near the shipping label accordingly. Do these red ink stamps make a difference in how the package is handled or is it more for the customer's peace of mind?

[GTR]

I think it's so the post office can track down the leaking package. I've had boxes come in via UPS that had water damage and some smell of chemicals that had nothing to do with the contents of my package.

[msnikkistar]

Originally Posted by Nymsley

When you bring a package to the clerk, they ask you if the contents have water, are perishable, fragile, and something else. They then stamp near the shipping label accordingly. Do these red ink stamps make a difference in how the package is handled or is it more for the customer's peace of mind?

GTR is correct, however, it is also for the safety of the postal workers. If the package is marked with "water" and it leaks, then USPS does not have to worry too much about contact with a package leaking water. However, if it is chemical and it is leaking, they must have certain safety precautions.

[mgamer20o0]

Question 1: Why did it take my priority shipment more then 3 days?
Answer: The general rule of thumb for priority mail is 2-3 days, however, it is can take up to 4 days to reach its destination. The delay usually occurs when an error has occurred in the routing of the package. (i.e sent to the wrong sorting facility). Unfortunately, these mistakes occur, and although it can be frustrating, little can be done about it.

i would like to add to this one. last i check they dont consider a package lost until 12 days after you ship it. most packages get there in 2-3 days (when i ship in cali it tends to be next day) but that isnt always a guarantee. i had one package take 5 days to get 2 hours away.

i think another good one to add would be the delivery confirmation number. it isnt a tracking number like ups or fedex uses. some times they scan it along the way other times it doesnt. i have had packages i check the tracking after the buyer said they got it and it still wasnt in the system.

great start to clear up some of the misconceptions of the post office.

[msnikkistar]

Question: Is it okay for you to ship shrimp or fish in water, or any liquids at all?
Yes, it is okay. However, the package must be securely packaged to prevent leakage. This means you must pack the item with absorbent materials in case of an accident. Also, you must abide by whatever wildlife regulations in your state and the state in which the package is to be received. Items containing corrosive ingredients have strict shipping regulations. To view these regulations, visit the USPS website.