A longtime EcommerceBytes reader spotted free polybag envelopes at his local post office this week that the USPS was making available to customers wishing to return items to merchants without the need to package them inside a box or bag.
As the photograph he provided shows, the display containing the bags inside his post office was labeled: “Return Bags: tear off bag; apply label; drop in box!”
Photo of USPS polybags spotted at a reader’s local post office.
In 2019, the USPS revealed it was testing a “Package Less Returns” option at 53 sites in Southern Area’s Dallas District, providing two sizes of polybags: 12 inches by 15 inches, and 15 inches by 22 inches.
In response to EcommerceBytes’ inquiry this week asking if it was still testing the program, or if it was being rolled out to all post offices, a USPS spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The Postal Service is rolling out Packageless Returns capabilities for brands and companies that want to improve the return experience for their customers, and for residential customer convenience. For eligible return items, polybags will be made available to customers at participating locations, eliminating the need for a shipping box or label.
“These polybagged items will enter the mailstream directly without additional packaging, fees or consolidation. Items that are liquid, fragile, perishable or potentially hazardous cannot be accepted at self-service, and cannot be shipped using a polybag.”
Asked if it would apply surcharges for irregular packages (which went into effect this month) to items placed in the USPS-supplied polybags for returns, the spokesperson said USPS Returns products were exempt from Nonstandard Fees. The spokesperson added, “More details about participating locations and eligibility requirements will be coming soon.”
In its 2019 blog post about the testing of Package Less Returns, the USPS included a photo of the polybags, which look similar (if not identical) to the photo the reader sent to EcommerceBytes.
Readers commenting on the EcommerceBytes blog post about the return bags in 2019 expressed concern that items returned in the USPS-provided polybags would arrive back to the seller damaged or broken. The program may be more popular among large retailers and merchants – feel free to weigh in with your opinion. And, stay tuned for more information about the new postal program.
LOL, shipping a item in a poly bags says you do not give a crap about happens to the item.
The shopping bags I get free from Menards when I make purchase are much stronger, but I’d never ship anything in them. They hold 20 pounds of cat litter ; 0)
Gee, I wonder if these supplies could be abused.
In one video on YouTube a seller was illegally using 61 padded Express envelopes as internal packaging on a handful of boxes, ripping USPS off for over $1900. Most likely he has been doing this during the past 20 + years of selling online with three different businesses, representing hundreds of thousands in lost revenue. I found his home and business location in like 10 minutes, but USPS can’t.
This bag is similar to what AMAZ does with returns, but you keep the packaging and just put the packed item in the plastic bag. I don’t think those bags are meant to return items that are not packaged. For example, if I bought a book it might be used. But if I bought a modem or a puzzle, I certainly would keep it in the package.
This makes me wonder,
is the USPO setting itself up to be a “returns” center like UPS?
@Chicago- it seems most likely, and convenient, to be used by buyers who immediately know they dont want their order, then just slip the unopened (or maybe opened a little) box in the bag.
@Consign- it irks me too, when i see someone using numerous free padded envelopes, supplied by the tax payer, to use as packing material for their goods…but how does 61 bags add up to over $1900?
@NYSteve
“61 bags add up to over $1900?”
This guy would be held liable for the retail pricing of these, which were $31.20 each in July, 2024, Notice 123 when the crime occurred (current retail is $32.25).
This guy even posted a video showing cases of the Express padded envelopes and even bragged about using them for UPS packages.
Belongs in prison!