The Benefits of Using USPS Click and Ship

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2 years ago

The Benefits Of Using Usps Click And Ship

Business owners and clients alike experience the hassle of shipping packages. USPS Click and Ship is an option to help make the shipping experience less of a pain and more of a seamless process.

Business owners deal with logistics daily and realize that shipping is challenging. It’s essential to create a shipping strategy. USPS has created Click and Ship to simplify the shipping process for business owners.

The USPS implemented the Click and Ship program in the early 2000s to plan, prepay, and print shipping labels for packages from the comfort of their homes. People all over the country use the service millions of times each week. The USPS estimates that approximately 400,000 customers have used the at-home Click and Ship services.

The USPS Click and Ship program has simplified the shipping process. It brings the post office to you, becoming an online portal that allows you to do the usual things you would do at the post office. Click, and Ship will enable you to print shipping labels wherever you need them, using regular paper. When you’ve finished, you’ll be able to track your package through the shipping process.

We’ll answer all your questions here and even more! So dive in. Let’s start!

Table of Contents

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What Is USPS Click and Ship?

USPS Click and Ship is a program designed to simplify the shipping process for those who own a business or wish to streamline their shipping processes. You create, print, and pay for your labels through the USPS website. Once you’ve printed your label, please attach it to the package and prepare to ship.

You can choose to deliver your package to the post office, or you can choose to have your local postal delivery person pick up your package and get it ready for delivery.

How Does USPS Click and Ship Work?

Generally, the Click and Ship process is relatively easy to navigate, but having a guide nearby the first few times you use it can be helpful.

First, please ensure your package is ready for shipping and USPS shipment eligible. That means your package should be boxed, taped, and ready for labeling, and it should only have contents the USPS will transport.
Next, an accurate scale is a necessity because you must have the ability to weigh your package down to the ounce to take full advantage of the tools available through Click and Ship. Having an accurate weight will also allow you to calculate precise postage. Click and Ship can only be used if you have an accurate scale, but you must use flat-rate boxes and envelopes because you can’t calculate shipping precisely by weight.
Flat-rate boxes and envelopes are free of charge from the post office, or you can order them from USPS.com and have them delivered to your doorstep.
Log in to the USPS website using your login account. If you still need to create one, now’s the time! Log in to the USPS website using your login account. Click and Ship can be found at www.cns.usps.com.
The next step is selecting the Click and Ship services you are interested in using.

The following shipping services are eligible for USPS Click and Ship label printing as of early 2024:

USPS Retail Ground
Priority Mail
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail International
Priority Mail Express International
First Class Package International
Global Express Guaranteed

You’ve selected your eligible service; now choose “Print a Label” from the options on your screen. Making this selection immediately opens multiple windows where you will be prompted to add essential information, including your return address and the delivery address. After you confirm that information, please make sure that you double-check everything before moving to the next section–the USPS standardizes the addresses to make sure you don’t have any potential delivery issues. You can include an email notification for the recipient, so they know the USPS has accepted the package and when it has been delivered. Sometimes, people skip this step because it includes the same information already provided with the tracking information.

Next, you’ll be prompted to select a shipping date. You can choose a date up to three days from the current date, and you can deliver it to the post office or have your postal carrier pick it up from your home or business. In this step, you also choose whether you are using flat rate boxes or whether you need to add weight and box measurements to the USPS Click and Ship information. If you aren’t using a flat rate, you must ensure you have accurate weight information to avoid paying the wrong postage and delays in shipping. This is also the step where you select Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express, after which you will be delivered to the checkout screen, which allows you to prepay your postage using a major credit card.

Please confirm all the details and then add your payment information to complete your first Click and Ship transaction.

Click and Ship allow you to:

You can purchase the required postage labels on the USPS website. PC Postage Labels are the labels the USPS uses to allow business owners to print labels from their home computers. The service benefits those who send large packages from their home. You access your account and can easily prepare and print labels from your home or office computer.
Pay for postage with major credit cards. The USPS allows you to purchase labels and postage if you have a major credit card. Not all carriers will enable a credit card to pay for shipping. The USPS Click and Ship services make it fast and easy to get the appropriate postage using your credit card for payment.
Calculate and compare rates. One logistics issue that businesses face is the varying costs of shipping. The USPS handles packages on a portion of the delivery route and then relies on other carriers to complete the delivery to the final destination. This method allows them to help you save money while still delivering your package promptly. Since USPS works with multiple carriers, they can provide you with different rate options. Doing this allows you to choose which carrier fits your budget while still providing quality service. Handling logistics with rate comparison information can be affordable. The Click and Ship service allows you to compare rates at no added cost when many others require a fee for using a comparison tool. The tool also gives you the option of quickly changing carriers if one of them fails to do isn’t meet your needs satisfactorily.
Standardization of addresses. You likely have hundreds of different contact addresses on file for your business. Sometimes, people need better filing systems, meaning they need an address file. Adding addresses every time you need to ship something can slow you down tremendously. Click and Ship offers a standardization service that contains an address book that can hold up to 1,000 addresses for you. Repeat customers should be added to this address book. Once you have the addresses in the address book portion of the service, it becomes much faster to access, create, and print those labels. This one standardization can help your entire shipping process work more efficiently.
Could you find a zip code? With Click and Ship, you can find zip codes. Finding the correct one can be challenging, with hundreds of thousands of zip codes available. The USPS Click and Ship service is low. Please find the zip code you need quickly. Knowing the zip code will enable you to calculate shipping rates and times more accurately. Accurate zip code information also provides you with metrics regarding your customer base.
Insurance coverage up to $200. You can expect to pay standard insurance fees. Package insurance is available on Priority Mail and Express Mail shipments. Insuring your packages is beneficial because you never know when something could go wrong. Accidents, inaccurate deliveries, packages stolen from porches, and broken contents are all examples of things that can go wrong with your delivery. Insurance coverage can allow you to reimburse the customer or replace the product when something goes wrong.
Online address book storage of up to 1,000 domestic and international addresses.
Email shipping notifications for recipients.
Print up to 10 domestic labels in a single credit card transaction.
Shipping history shows postage labels for the last six months.
Easily manage your account with the “My Account” portal.

Does Click and Ship Work With All USPS Services?

USPS Click and Ship only works with some shipping options the postal service provides. More Click and Ship eligibility could be added in the future, but at the moment, the services are limited to:

USPS Retail Ground
Priority Mail
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail International
Priority Mail Express International
First Class Package International
Global Express Guaranteed

Click-N-Ship® is not available for other types of USPS products, including:

First-Class Mail®: This service is typically used for sending letters, postcards, and lightweight packages.
First-Class Mail International®: This service is similar to First-Class Mail® but for international destinations.
Package Services: While Click-N-Ship® integrates with many package services, some exceptions exist. Notably, it cannot be used for:
- USPS Retail Ground: This cost-effective option for domestic ground shipments requires label creation at the post office due to its weight and size limitations.
- USPS Retail Ground (non-military sender): Similar to the standard Retail Ground, this service caters specifically to non-military senders and requires in-person label creation at the post office due to its characteristics.

If you need to ship using any of these excluded services, you won’t be able to use Click-N-Ship®. Instead, you’ll have to visit a physical USPS location or explore alternative options like PC Postage® vendors, which are third-party vendors offering postage services that might include the excluded options.

You’ll likely find Click and Ship services beneficial if you plan to use any shipping services listed. If you require shipping services that aren’t listed, you won’t appreciate the services offered by Click and Ship. The decision to use Click and Ship services is dictated by what you are shipping, how much you have budgeted for shipping, and whether or not the Click and Ship services meet your needs.

What Other Services Are Included in Click and Ship Services When You Ship with Priority Mail?

In addition to the essential services we have already discussed, there are a couple of other services you can expect when you use Click and Ship.

Those services include:

Delivery confirmation: Click and Ship services include delivery confirmation, which gives you information from the carrier after the package has been delivered. You will receive the zip code, date, and time of any delivery you shipped with the delivery confirmation service. Delivery confirmation benefits you in several ways. For example, if your customer contacts you to say they never received their package, you can look at the post-delivery information to help figure out where the package was delivered. Suppose the zip code the carrier sent you needed to be corrected. Then you know the issue was with delivery, and you can take the proper steps to fix the problem. If the delivery information is correct, it could indicate a stolen package or a customer is attempting to defraud you by claiming they didn’t receive the package.
Delivery confirmation data is also helpful in helping to determine whether to use the same carrier in the future. You will have access to the estimated delivery date and time and can compare that to the actual delivery date and time. If the two are close, the company estimates their delivery times well. On the other hand, if the estimate is way off from the actual delivery information, consider using a different company in the future.
Signature confirmation: Signature confirmation isn’t a free service, but it does have a minimal cost considering it provides peace of mind that your delivery arrived where it was supposed to when it was supposed to. This service is particularly beneficial for those selling valuable items or items with an expensive price tag. A signature confirmation service means the carrier can only deliver the package if someone signs for it to be delivered. That means there will be a record of precisely who took possession of the box if there is any question about accurate delivery.

How to Use USPS Click and Ship

The first step in using the USPS Click and Ship service is signing up for an account on the USPS website. The Click and Ship service steps are simple, starting with creating your free account. If you have yet to create an account, you won’t be able to use the services, which are valid for every delivery service.

The second step to using Click and Ship is creating a shipping label. You add the destination address, and the service allows you to store up to 1,000 addresses in your internal Address Book. So, if you have loyal customers, you won’t need to verify their addresses every time you ship something to them.

After you create your shipping label, the next step is determining if you want to receive tracking information and email updates regarding the package delivery. You can notify your customer that the order has shipped, hold it for pickup, or add the address to the Address Book.

Once you’ve made selections regarding notifications, you can choose the shipping date. Pay attention to the date you select, as some Post Offices may not send the package if you drop it off after the shipping date.

Couriers set shipping rates by package weight or box dimensions. You might be surprised to learn they will use the larger of the two measurements to determine your shipping charges. When you enter the weight and sizes, you can choose if you use standard dimensions to determine whether to ship or if you want to use a Flat Rate. Usually, the Flat Rate is less expensive for huge packages, and it can only be used for those under 70 pounds.

Could you determine the package value and if you need additional insurance coverage? Typically, the Post Office automatically insures up to $50, but when you value the package, you can add additional insurance. After determining if you need additional insurance, you can provide any special delivery instructions you may have. That includes scheduling pickup times.

You can often choose which shipping service you’d like to use. The USPS works with multiple couriers, and this is where you can select which one they use for your package. If you want signature confirmation, you can choose it next. Finally, you review your entire order, pay for it, and print your shipping labels.

Skip the trip to the post office and ship packages conveniently from your home or office!

Choose your service: Select USPS Ground Advantage™, Priority Mail®, or Priority Mail Express® based on your delivery speed needs.
Prepare your package: Securely pack your items and ensure you have the recipient’s address readily available.
Pay and print: Purchase postage online and print your shipping label directly from your device. If you don’t have a printer, there are alternative options available.
Schedule a pickup or drop off: Schedule a free pickup for your package or head to a designated location to drop it off.
Save money: Benefit from lower commercial rates with the enhanced Click-N-Ship® experience. Businesses can unlock additional savings on select services by opting in to the Business Rate Card.

Shipping Made Easy: Tips and Options

Enhance your shipping experience with these helpful tips:

Insurance and Extras:

Free insurance: Most shipments come with basic coverage up to $100.
Upgrade your coverage: Add extra insurance, return receipts, signature confirmation, and more for additional costs during label creation. (See details under “Insurance & Extra Services”)
Delivery instructions: Specify delivery options like leaving packages at the door or holding them for pickup at the local USPS facility.

Save Time:

“Ship Again” feature: Reuse information from past shipments to create new labels quickly. Simply access your shipping history and select “Ship Again” to replicate details for your next shipment.

No Printer? No Problem!

USPS Label Delivery Service: Get your shipping labels printed and delivered directly to your address for a $1.25 fee (per label) with the enhanced Click-N-Ship experience.
- Outbound shipments: Choose “Label Delivery – Outbound” under extra services while creating a label.
- Business returns: Create return labels through your enhanced Click-N-Ship business account and include them in your outbound packages. You’ll receive notification when a customer uses the label.

Business Savings:

Click-N-Ship Business Rate Card: Businesses using enhanced Click-N-Ship can access discounted rates for Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and their return options. (These are the best non-contract rates available.)

How Much Does Click and Ship Cost?

USPS Click and Ship costs depend on what mail class you’ve used, the weight and dimensions of your packages, and their final destination. The USPS offers exceptional discounts for people using the Click and Ship service. Scheduled carrier pickups are free, but there could be added costs for special services. On average, you will save approximately 50 cents per package if you use the online Click and Ship capabilities. While that may seem insignificant, it will add up, mainly if you ship large packages.

Below, we compare a few rates to help you understand the cost of using this service:

Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope for domestic shipping: $4.80 in-store / $4.75 online
Priority Mail Flat Rate box for domestic shipping: $9.80 in-store / $9.30 online
Express Mail Flat Rate envelope for domestic shipping: $16.50 in-store / $16 online
1-pound parcel shipped <150 miles via Express Mail: $12.60 in-store / $12.22 online
1-pound parcel shipped >150 miles via Priority Mail: $4.80 in-store/ $4.75 online

Making regular comparisons between postage paid at your local Post Office and postage paid using Click and Ship shows that business owners save at least a little money when using Click and Ship services. While you may only save pennies on one transaction, large-volume transactions will realize more significant savings, and you will likely find your overall postage cost decreases when you choose Click and Ship.

Who should use the Click-N-Ship® application?

The Click-N-Ship® application is designed for two main groups of users:

Residential customers: Individuals who occasionally need to ship packages can use Click-N-Ship® to conveniently print postage labels and manage their shipments from home.
Small businesses: Businesses that ship a moderate volume of packages can benefit from Click-N-Ship® by streamlining their shipping process. The application allows them to:
- Print labels in bulk
- Save frequently used addresses
- Track shipments
- Schedule package pickups

Here are some of the key features that make Click-N-Ship® appealing to these users:

Convenience: Print shipping labels from your own computer or phone, eliminating the need to visit a physical post office.
Cost-effective: Compare postage rates and choose the most affordable option for your needs.
Time-saving: Streamline the shipping process by managing everything online.

Do I Need Special Labels for USPS Click and Ship?

Unique labels aren’t required for using USPS Click and Ship services. Some specially formatted labels created specifically for Click and Ship are available from the USPS. The cost of the labels is based on the number of labels you purchase. Twenty-five labels are selling for approximately $9 on the postal service website, and a package of 50 labels will cost around $17.

If you want labels designed explicitly for the USPS Click and Ship program, you can purchase them from the USPS. Amazon offers a selection of Click and Ship-compatible labels, but it’s best to check reviews before purchasing them. If specialty labels are outside the budget, or if you run out, you can always print your label on regular printer paper. Please attach it with clear packing tape to your package and ensure the label is visible and readable.

Also, you can ask your local USPS post office clerk to help you print your shipping labels. It’s free to have the post office print your brands, which are generally ready the same day.

What Are the Pros and Cons of USPS Click and Ship?

The USPS Click and Ship service is a convenient, easy-to-use service. Small businesses, especially home businesses, can lose tremendous money by frequent post office trips to ship packages. Online tools for managing your shipping can help reduce the stress you have dealing with logistical issues. Of course, any device designed to help streamline processes also comes with some pitfalls, so it’s essential to watch for both the advantages and disadvantages of using Click and Ship.

Advantages of USPS Click and Ship

Click and Ship help to save time and effort.
You can order free boxes from the postal service for packing.
Organize free package pickups.
Complete the necessary forms and print your labels online.
Access shipping rates that are affordable.
Use built-in address history service to reship to repeat customers.
Manage all information about addresses, shipments, and tracking in one place.

Disadvantages of USPS Click and Ship

Click and Ship are restricted to using retail rates, causing you to miss out on discounts.
There can be glitches in tech causing unpredictable results in the online platform.
Gateways must be fully functional, or payments can’t be processed.
As of early 2022, First-Class and Ground services aren’t available to Click and Ship customers.

Alternatives to USPS Click and Ship

If you run an online business, you may wonder how or if traditional mail and shipping services can benefit you. Post Scan Mail (PSM) Virtual Mail Services is an alternative to USPS Click and Ship. A virtual mailbox from PSM allows you to manage your mail from anywhere at any time.

Some benefits of a virtual mailbox from Post Scan Mail include the following:

Save time by viewing mail virtually.
Professionals scan and store your physical mail, allowing you to handle more mail without additional overhead costs.
A US address enhances your business presence allowing you to take advantage of lower-cost services that US-based organizations can realize.