The US Postal Service will make its new “USPS Connect” service available through online postage providers and marketplaces, it announced today. (NOTE: This is not accurate, please see clarification below.)
A Postal spokesperson had told us in March that USPS Connect Local utilized its Parcel Select product, which is priced lower than Priority Mail or First Class Package Service. Any savings in shipping is significant due to marketplaces such as eBay and Etsy charging a “commission” fee on price-plus-shipping (plus sales tax).
But it seemed doubtful to EcommerceBytes at the time that many sellers would be able to capitalize on the lower rates – at least until they could purchase the service through online shipping software.
USPS Chief Customer and Business Solutions Officer Jacqueline Krage Strako said in today’s announcement, “USPS Connect eCommerce makes it easier for online marketplaces and shipping platforms to work directly with the Postal Service and offer their customers access to discounted rates.”
USPS Connect comes in four flavors: Local, Regional, National and Returns and is painted as a crown jewel in Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s Delivering for America 10-year plan.
A schedule of the USPS Connect Local rollout is available on USPSConnect.com, and today’s announcement is available in the Newsroom section on the USPS website.
Update 5/7/2022: The USPS reached out to clarify that it is not accurate to say USPS Connect eCommerce provides the ability to purchase postage for USPS Connect Local and Regional via platforms and provided the following clarification:
For clarification purposes, USPS Connect™ Local and Regional use the USPS Click-N-Ship® application and Electronic Verification System (eVS) to easily print shipping labels, prepay postage with a credit card or via Visa Checkout® or PayPal®, and receive tracking numbers—all in one place. The USPS Connect™ umbrella offers something for every business who needs to ship its products to its customers. USPS Connect™ Local, Regional, and National are for “merchants” directly.
USPS Connect™ eCommerce expands that offer so that merchants working with platforms and marketplaces can also get access to great rates. If a merchant wants to work with a platform or marketplace, USPS has them covered that way too.
To learn more about USPS Connect™ eCommerce and its benefits, online marketplaces and shipping platforms should visit usps.com/connect-ecommerce.
For USPS Connect™ Local customers can sign up for a free USPS.com business account, review and agree to the online terms of service. To see when the service is available in your area, visit uspsconnect.com/local.
Just another useless USPS service. Fix the problems before creating new ones. Why does it take a first class letter 8 days to get across the state of michigan?
@GETAGRIP This is a game changer service by USPS to get more of the package business. USPS Connect Local will be huge after rolled out across the Country and businesses sign up. The shipping cost savings for USPS Connect Local are very large.
The only action the Post Office needs to take is :
REMOVE ALL POSTAL SABOTEURS.