Shopify Shipping with USPS

If you're shipping from a location in the United States, then you can buy Shopify Shipping labels from USPS. You can ship your packages domestically and internationally.

The shipping rates that you are charged are based on Shopify's account with USPS.

Domestic shipping with USPS

You can ship domestically within the United States with USPS using the following mail types:

Description of USPS shipping service types
Shipping ServiceDelivery TimelineDescription
Ground Advantage2-5 business daysAn economical and reliable way to ship packages within the United States.
Priority Mail1-3 business daysShip orders within the United States.
Priority Mail Express1-2 business daysThe fastest way to ship orders within the United States and a money-back guarantee.
First-Class Mail2-3 business daysAn easy way to ship large envelopes.
Media Mail2-10 business daysA cost effective way to send media, such as books, music, and other media. For more information, refer to USPS approved list for media mail.

Package requirements for USPS domestic shipments

The maximum values that USPS allows for domestic shipments are the following:

  • maximum weight is 70 lb (31.75 kg)
  • maximum girth and length combined is 108 inches (274 cm)

For more information about package requirements, refer to the USPS website.

USPS domestic prohibited goods and hazardous materials

Shopify Shipping does not support the shipping of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or USPS prohibited goods. As the shipper, it's your responsibility to understand and comply with all USPS regulations and guidelines. While USPS allows some HAZMAT to be shipped following their rules and regulations, shipments containing these items are prohibited through Shopify Shipping and must be shipped through USPS directly.

For more information on domestic prohibited goods and HAZMAT, refer to the USPS Domestic Shipping Prohibitions, Restrictions, & HAZMAT page.

International shipping with USPS

You can ship internationally with USPS using the following mail types:

Description of USPS International shipping service types
Shipping ServiceDelivery TimelineDescription
First-Class Package International ServiceVariesAn economical way to ship small packages internationally.
Priority Mail International6-10 business daysShip orders internationally to 190 countries.
Priority Mail Express International*3-5 business daysThe fastest way to ship orders internationally to 190 countries and a money-back guarantee to specific destinations.

Package requirements for USPS international shipments

The maximum values that USPS allows for international shipments vary per destination country. To find the maximum package values, go to the USPS Index of Countries and Localities page, and then select your shipment's destination country.

USPS international prohibited goods and hazardous materials

Shopify Shipping does not support the shipping of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or USPS prohibited goods. As the shipper, it's your responsibility to understand and comply with all regulations and guidelines for the USPS, US, and the destination country you are shipping to. While USPS allows some HAZMAT to be shipped following their rules and regulations, shipments containing these items are prohibited through Shopify Shipping and must be shipped through USPS directly.

For more information on international prohibited goods and HAZMAT, refer to the USPS International Shipping Prohibitions & Restrictions page.

Getting your products to USPS

You can drop off your products at a USPS drop-off location or schedule a pickup.

Schedule a pickup for your USPS shipment

Pickup times are based on the time zone of the pickup address. Any pickup times are estimates and depend on traffic, weather, and pickup address.

Pickups from USPS are free unless you want to specify a pickup time. Free pickups can be scheduled at any time during regular mail hours. It costs 24 USD to select the time of day for the pickup. Each pickup needs be scheduled separately through USPS.

For any assistance with scheduling a USPS pickup, contact USPS or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Orders.

  2. To schedule a pickup, do either of the following:

    • To schedule a pickup immediately after you purchase a shipping label, in the Package pickup section, click Schedule USPS pickup.
    • To schedule a pickup for an order that was fulfilled with USPS, open the order, click the ... icon, and then click Schedule pickup.
    • Schedule a pickup directly from USPS's website.
  3. Complete USPS's pickup form.

You can view your scheduled pickups from the Orders page in your Shopify admin.

If a driver doesn't show up for your scheduled pickup, then call USPS at 1-800-PICK-UPS (1-800-742-5877) with your pickup confirmation number. You can find your pickup confirmation number in the order's Timeline.

Cancel a USPS pickup

To cancel a USPS pickup, do one of the following:

  • Visit USPS's pickup scheduler, and then click Modify an Existing Pickup.
  • Contact USPS at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Signature Confirmation with USPS

You can set your shipments to require a signature upon delivery by adding Signature Confirmation when you buy a shipping label for your order.

Shipments that use Priority Express Mail include Signature Confirmation by default. You can also pay 2.60 USD to add Signature Confirmation to the following USPS mail types:

  • Ground Advantage
  • Priority Mail
  • Parcel Select Ground
  • Media Mail

You can learn more about Signature Confirmation at USPS extra services page.

Shipping date with USPS

You can set a shipping date for your order. The date that you choose will print on the shipping label.

Order free USPS shipping supplies

You can order free shipping supplies directly from USPS. You need to sign up for a free USPS account to receive your supplies.

USPS Cubic Pricing

USPS offers discounted rates for packages, envelopes, and soft-packs on Priority Mail and Ground Advantage shipping services. Consider using Cubic Pricing if you typically send small and heavy products, such as weights or coffee beans.

Review the following table to learn more about maximum shipment size values for USPS Cubic Pricing:

USPS cubic pricing
Shipping serviceDimensions and weight
USPS Priority Mail
  • Maximum weight is 20 pounds.
  • Maximum volume is 0.5 cubic feet.
  • Maximum length, width or height for packages is 18 inches, and for envelopes or soft-packs is 36 inches.
  • USPS Ground Advantage
  • Maximum weight is 20 pounds.
  • Maximum volume is 1 cubic feet.
  • Maximum length, width or height for packages is 18 inches, and for envelopes or soft-packs is 36 inches.
  • Calculating USPS Cubic pricing

    USPS offers separate Cubic Pricing for packages, soft-packs, and padded envelopes. You can add small boxes to an envelope as long as the envelope keeps its flat shape. Expandable envelopes don't qualify for the envelope pricing and need to use cubic pricing for packages.

    Review the following table to learn how to calculate the volumetric size of your shipment:

    Cubic pricing calculation
    Shipment typeFormulaExample
    PackageLength (in inches) x Width (in inches) x Height (in inches) / 1728 = cubic feet14" x 8" x 5" / 1728 = 0.4 cubic feet
    Envelope or soft-packLength (in inches) + Width (in inches) = Total package length14 + 8 = 22
    Package dimensions example

    USPS shipping manifests

    If you have multiple shipments to give to USPS, then you can create a shipping manifest that links all your shipments together in a single barcode. USPS also refers to these shipping manifests as Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice forms, or SCAN forms.

    Creating a manifest means that when USPS comes to collect your shipments, or when you drop off your shipments, USPS can scan the single barcode on your manifest to accept your shipments, instead of scanning each shipment individually.

    Each shipping label in the manifest must have the same shipping origin address and the same Shipping date.

    Considerations for creating USPS shipping manifests

    Review the following considerations when creating shipping manifests:

    • Each shipping label in the manifest must have the same shipping origin address and the same Shipping date.
    • Shipping dates for international labels on a manifest need to match the date that the labels were purchased.
    • If you void a shipping label that was added to a manifest, then the manifest is no longer valid. You need to have USPS scan the other shipments in that manifest individually. If you use a manifest that has voided labels on it, then you'll be charged for the voided labels.
    • To add shipping labels to the same day's manifest, you need to purchase them by 9:00 pm local time at the location from where the items are shipped.
    • You can't add labels purchased after the cutoff time to the same day's manifest. If you're buying labels after the cutoff time, then you can postmark them to the next day and add them to the next day's manifest.

    Create a USPS manifest

    You can use the Shipping Manifests app to create a manifest directly in the app, or from the Orders page.

    When you create a manifest, labels that meet the following conditions are added:

    • tracking is included in the label
    • the Shipping date is the same day that you’re creating the manifest
    • the label hasn’t been added to another manifest

    To avoid issues with multiple manifests, it's best to create your manifest at the end of the day before you drop off your shipments, or USPS comes to collect your shipments.

    Steps:

    1. Create a new manifest using one of the following options:
      • From the app:
        1. From your Shopify admin, go to Apps > Shipping Manifests.
        2. Click Create manifest.
      • From the Orders page:
        1. From your Shopify admin, go to Orders.
        2. Click More actions > Create manifests.
    2. Select the fulfillment location. All available shipping labels from the fulfillment location will be added to the manifest.
    3. Click Create manifest.
    4. Click Print manifest.

    Reprint a USPS manifest

    You can reprint a manifest up to 6 months after you created the manifest.

    Steps:

    1. From your Shopify admin, go to Apps > Shipping Manifests.
    2. Click the manifest.
    3. Click Print manifest.

    Getting support for USPS shipments

    To get help with your USPS shipment, such as rerouting a package or submitting a claim, you can contact Shopify Support or USPS directly depending on your issue.

    Included insurance coverage for USPS shipments

    Shipping insurance typically covers damaged and lost items, and lost shipments. The amount that your shipment is insured for depends on the shipping service that you're using.

    The following shipping services have liability coverage:

    • Ground Advantage (up to 100 USD)
    • Priority Mail (up to 100 USD)
    • Priority Mail Express (up to 100 USD)
    • Priority Mail International (up to 200 USD)
    • Priority Mail Express International (up to 200 USD)

    You can add more shipping insurance when you buy a shipping label.

    Submitting a shipping claim for a USPS shipment

    If you're using USPS with Shopify Shipping and your USPS shipment is lost or damaged, then you can submit a shipping claim to USPS.

    To submit a claim for your USPS shipment, you need to contact USPS within 7 to 60 days of shipping your package. If you purchase additional shipping insurance when you purchase a shipping label through Shopify, then you can submit your Shipsurance insurance claim in the Shopify admin.

    In certain cases of lost or delayed shipments, USPS offers refunds without the need for an insurance claim. For more information on domestic shipments, refer to the USPS's domestic refunds page. For more information on international shipments, refer to the USPS's international refunds page.

    If your claim is approved, then you receive a check mailed to the address that is in the USPS online account.

    Intercepting USPS shipments

    USPS can stop the shipment or redirect your package that isn't out for delivery or already delivered.

    You can check if your package can be intercepted by entering the USPS tracking number at the Package Intercept page. If the package can be intercepted, refer to the USPS interception instructions for submitting a request to change your shipment.

    Requesting support for USPS shipments

    If you're using USPS with Shopify Shipping and you need help, then review the following table to learn who to contact.

    Who to contact for help with USPS and Shopify Shipping based on your needs
    SituationContact
    Get help before you buy a label.Shopify Support
    Get assistance after buying a USPS label, such as rerouting a package.1-800-275-8777
    Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 8:30 pm ET
    Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm ET
    TDD/TTY Relay: Call 1-800-877-8339. Ask for 1-800-275-8777.
    Submit a USPS claim.USPS claims
    Dispute a USPS shipping adjustment.Shopify Support
    Ready to start selling with Shopify?Try it free