USPS to Help Retailers Deal with Returns

The USPS is launching a new site this month to help retailers deal with returns by supporting shipping and returns consolidators that provide delivery for the Postal Service. The USPS said the new site will replace the current Shipping Consolidators site and would go live on September 30th.

USPS announcement follows:

Easier shipping: USPS to replace consolidator site Sept. 30
USPS will introduce a website this month to help businesses serve customers who purchase merchandise online and then decide to return it.

The new USPS Approved Shipping and Returns Consolidators site will go live Sept. 30, replacing the current Shipping Consolidators site.

The revamped site will support shipping and returns consolidators that provide delivery for the Postal Service. This includes parcels that are entered at local Post Offices and delivered to customers’ homes — also known as “last mile” service.

Consolidators listed on the old site won’t automatically transfer to the new one.

A solicitation inviting consolidators to the new site — including qualifications and guidelines — is detailed on the PostalPro site.

There’s no fee for approved consolidators to be listed on the new USPS Approved Shipping and Returns Consolidators site.

However, selected consolidators must meet certain criteria, including entering into consolidator linking and trademark licensing agreements.

Selected consolidators also are required to follow style guidelines for USPS trademarks and logos. Consolidators also must provide a company logo that meets specific standards for publication on usps.com.

Additionally, consolidators should review USPS privacy policies.

The new USPS Approved Shipping and Returns Consolidators site is part of the Postal Service’s ongoing efforts to grow its package delivery and shipping business.

For additional information about the site, email the Business Alliances Office at USPSASRC@usps.gov.

SOURCE: USPS Announcement

Ina Steiner

Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com.