USPS (or United States Postal Service) is the official postal service provider for the United States of America. The postal service was mainly designed to cater to the needs of individuals. Now, to compete against the giant brands in the logistics space, this postal service also started offering services like express deliveries and express parcel deliveries.
USPS was founded on July 1, 1971, in Washington, DC. The United States Congress founded the postal service according to the postal act of the Constitution of the United States. As of now, it has more than 246, 503 vehicles. This means USPS has one of the largest fleets across the world.
The parcel and mail delivery service is still the primary service offered by USPS. You can leverage these services through the Click-N-Ship platform. Alongside these, you can print shipping labels at home, schedule deliveries for specific holiday dates, request a package pickup, print custom forms, file domestic claims, and do much more.
Additionally, USPS sends emails about the recent tracking milestones. These emails help keep your customers in the loop throughout the shipping process and reduce frequent WISMO calls.
Besides, USPS also provides shipping insurance so you can protect your high-value shipments from theft and damage. Another convenient solution USPS offers is its smart locker service. If you are an eCommerce business owner, you can ship the packages to the USPS smart lockers and the customers will pick them up at their convenience.
Under its mail services, it offers a host of solutions. These include priority mail express, priority mail, first-class mail, etc.
Furthermore, USPS also lets you calculate shipping charges both for domestic and international mail. At the same time, it also lets you print shipping labels for international packages.
USPS Electronic Signature Online is one of its latest launches. Basically, it’s a digital POD process, where customers electronically sign for their packages. This means you will get the ultimate flexibility to verify the delivery record from any location. If you go for the USPS API, you’ll also benefit from services, such as ZIP code Lookup to provide visibility over real-time serviceability for your customers.
What are the Benefits of USPS Shipping API Integration?
As you know, USPS is known for its safe, reliable, and affordable delivery services. After all, it’s one of the leading logistics service providers in the United States. Below, we have listed some advantages you will receive if you go for the USPS API Integration.
1. Automated Shipping Label Generation
There is no doubt in the fact that manual shipping label generation is one of the most daunting tasks. It becomes even more complicated when you deal with multiple shipments on a daily basis. With the USPS Shipping API, you can automatically generate and print shipping labels with the carrier. As a result, you can speed up the dispatch process and reach your customers on time.
2. Faster Shipping Services
The USPS API integration process allows you to improve the fulfillment time frame. You can do this by automating the manifestation process and scheduling the pickups. Additionally, all your parcels will be picked up at a single time. Plus, the USPS API integration will also help you cancel and update pickup requests.
3. Seamless Tracking
The USPS Tracking API integration allows you to use a push webhook, so you can retrieve the latest tracking updates from the carrier. These updates can then be fetched from the database and forwarded to the notifications and branded tracking page. Additionally, you can track the proof of delivery (POD) and send tracking information to your customers via email.
4. Address Validation
Failed deliveries mostly occur because of inaccurate addresses entered by customers. To combat this issue, USPS has come up with the address validation API. Through the city & state lookup and the zip code lookup options, you can verify the entered addresses to ensure correct delivery.
5. Shipping Rate Calculation
If you go for the USPS rate calculation tracking API, you’ll be able to calculate the shipping rates both for domestic and international deliveries.
Why Do You Need to Integrate the USPS API With a Shipping Software Solution?
You already have thorough information about how the USPS API integration works and how it can help you. Now, if you want to add another layer of flexibility, integrate it with a shipping software solution. Wondering how it can benefit you?
First of all, these shipping tools automate the order creation process. Next, it gives you the ability to monitor your shipments on a centralized dashboard. Apart from that, they adopt a multi-channel strategy (SMS, Email, and WhatsApp) to send shipment notifications to customers. In fact, you can customize these messages with customers’ native languages to build a personal connection with them.
If you integrate the USPS API with the shipping tool, you can show almost accurate EDDs on the product and checkout pages. This further will help you improve your brand loyalty. What’s more? You can provide your customers with a branded tracking page, where they will be able to track the parcels on their own.
At the same time, they take care of the failed and fake deliveries in an automated way. Most of them even send automated delay notifications to customers, so they can remain free from anxiety.
The returns management software API is one of the most convenient solutions offered by these shipping solutions. They provide an automated returns portal, let you set up your own returns rules and policies, and automate the image review process, so you can effortlessly handle the whole process.
These shipping tools are specially designed to improve customers’ post-purchase experience. Hence, by integrating with them, you can build a strong relationship with your customers.
Final Verdict!
USPS is one of the leading logistics companies available on the market. It’s reliable and offers a multitude of convenient solutions to ease your logistics process. Plus, if you integrate with a shipping software’s API, you can enhance its abilities and provide a top-notch shopping experience to your customers.