For the latest updates on this ongoing situation, visit our status page. On November 15th, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began a national strike, resulting in a total shutdown of Canada Post operations until December 16, 2024. Collective agreements were reached that extended through May 22, 2025, which ensured no further disruptions until […]

International shipping should be an option for every business, and our partner GlobalPost is working to simplify the process. GlobalPost partners with over 200 carriers globally to find the best route for your packages and better support the last mile of your package’s journey. GlobalPost Plus is an additional solution aimed at simplifying international shipping […]

Jan 21, 2018 Update: Stamps.com has launched a new International Flat service.  Get more info on how to ship merchandise with International Flats. Merchandise No Longer Allowed in First Class Mail International FlatsIf you ship merchandise abroad using USPS First Class Mail International Flats, there’s a new rule going into effect soon that you need […]

Did you know that 48% of all Mexican imports come from the United States? And with an expected 84.9 million Internet users in Mexico by 2019, it couldn’t be a better time for e-commerce sellers to open their markets to online buyers south of the border. Here are the basics on shipping your products to Mexico vis USPS. Available […]

Care packages and letters are some of the best ways to send your loved ones a slice of home when they are deployed abroad. At Stamps.com we often receive questions from customers looking to send packages to military destination so we compiled a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions about Military Mail: How […]

Certified Mail is a USPS service that gives mailers an official receipt providing poof the item was mailed. After the Certified Mail document is delivered, the mail carrier requires a signature from the recipient. Mailers using Certified Mail can also request a physical or electronic Return Receipt with the recipient’s signature. Here are some of […]

Customers Express Need for Speed, UPS Invests to Deliver E-Commerce sales are going through the roof. With this increase, there has also been a jump in customer expectations of how fast their purchases will get to them. 62% of U.S. online shoppers reported that fast shipping speed is the most important factor in a positive […]

They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year – Stamps.com and UPS are here to make that winter holiday dream happen. We’ve all been there! You found the best ugly Christmas sweater that has about 1,000 little bells. Or you absolutely have to ship your famous gingerbread cookies to your college roommate. The […]

Profiles in E-commerceA Stamps.com interview series with leaders in the online retail industry. With over 5.2 billion packages delivered to 156 million addresses in the U.S. last year, the Postal Service is the undisputed market leader in e-commerce delivery. The National Retail Federation expects e-commerce sales to grow by 8% to 12% annually over the […]

As of May 31, 2015, USPS Tracking can now be added for FREE to Media Mail packages.  Prior to the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase, it would cost $1.05 to add USPS Tracking if purchased at the Post Office and $0.23 if purchased online with Stamps.com. No Action Needed For Stamps.com Customers Stamps.com customers do not […]

From Innovative to Iconic: The Evolution of NetStamps® In 1996, Stamps.com revolutionized the mailing industry by introducing NetStamps®: The first USPS®-approved adhesive labels that allowed users to print exact postage amounts for First-Class Mail® directly from their computers . This innovation eliminated the need for traditional postage meters, offering businesses and individuals a digital, more […]

International shipping can feel like a barrier for many businesses, especially when it comes to determining how to pay duties and taxes. If duties and taxes aren’t paid in advance, your customers will be responsible for the cost when their shipment arrives. Additionally, packages with unpaid taxes and duties can be delayed in customs or […]

GlobalPost is excited to announce the launch of USPS Canada Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) service for Stamps.com shipping customers. USPS Canada DDP allows customers to prepay duties and taxes for their First Class Package International Service parcels to Canada. For a flat fee of $9.95, packages of 4 lbs. or less will be delivered directly to the buyer’s door […]

International shipping should never be a hindrance for small businesses. That’s why Stamps.com offers GlobalPost as a carrier option for our customers! GlobalPost is committed to modernizing and simplifying the international shipping process, so your small business can focus on expanding to other markets with ease.  Available GlobalPost services  GlobalPost provides Stamps.com merchants with two […]

Stamps.com is excited to announce the launch of our System Status page, located at http://status.stamps.com/. We built this page to provide you with real-time, 24/7 information on the status of Stamps.com servers and networks. If we experience an interruption in service, we will post a notice on the page and will continue to update the […]

According to Deloitte, 54% of e-commerce buyers want to receive their products within 2 days of placing their order, while 89% expect to receive their product within 3-4 days of placing their order.  Customer expectations are changing, and online retailers need to deliver packages quickly in order to stay competitive. eBay(R) launched the Guaranteed Delivery […]

Important information about connecting to Stamps.com! The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, a coalition of credit card payment processors such AmEx, Visa and Mastercard, has updated their protocols for transmitting secure credit card transactions. As of June 30, companies will no longer be able to transmit credit card data using the older Transport […]

Did you know that your Shopify store can easily connect to your Stamps.com account? Stamps.com makes it simple to import Shopify orders, print domestic and international shipping labels, and much more. About Shopify Shopify is an e-commerce platform that supports more than 100,000 online stores that sell over $4 billion in products in 100 different […]

If you ship merchandise to international addresses and your product is thin (between 1/4″ and 3/4″ thick), then you should be taking advantage of Stamps.com’s Global Advantage Program!   The program utilizes the USPS delivery network and allows online retailers to ship merchandise to an international address using a Large Envelope (Flat) mailpiece. How Does it […]

Rate Advisor is a new tool built into Stamps.com that helps you find the lowest shipping rate for every package you ship. The feature lets you instantly compare shipping rates and delivery times across different carriers using all of your relevant package information such as destination address, package weight and box size. Instantly compare rates […]

Stamps are an essential piece in the world of mailing. Very rarely though do they offer much guidance outside of “peel here and stick there.” Stamps give no answers to important questions like: What impacts postage costs? How do you determine the right postage? Do stamps expire? And of course, how many stamps do you […]

Effective June 30, 2024, USPS® discontinued all Information Based Indicia (IBI) postage meter technology and required all postage meters to upgrade to a new system called Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI). The bad news for organizations that are leasing postage meters: Devices that are not compliant will be withdrawn from service by December 2024. The good […]

Beginning May 15th, shipping services for hazardous materials (HAZMAT) will be temporarily restricted to only Ground Advantage™. As a result, we’ll continue to support HAZMAT shipping through this ground service.  Shipping hazardous materials correctly is important to Stamps.com and USPS. In fact, hazardous materials cause damage if shipped incorrectly. That’s why many dangerous goods are […]

It’s commonplace to think about a destination in miles. You usually have an idea of how far you’re traveling, even if it’s only by the number of cities and states you’ll pass through. Shipping a package follows the same principle. You are aware of the distance between you and your customer, but you might not […]

Shipments can sometimes be lost during transit, including orders to your customers. How do you help customers who are reaching out for assistance? USPS provides resources to try to locate missing mail and packages, and the USPS Mail Recovery Center serves as the hub for lost items. We also have tips to prevent packages from […]

Wishing you could give yourself the gift of more time this busy holiday season? If you’re working long hours and trying to figure out when you’ll have a moment to pop over to the Post Office to ship all those holiday packages, don’t stress. Most cities have a Post Office that stays open beyond the […]

A brand-new housing development is going up. Houses have sprung up in once-vacant lots. A line of trees has been planted along unused avenues. Parks and playgrounds have been created. Water, phone, gas, and electric services have been installed. You’re almost ready to move in. Wondering how you will get your mail? Even before construction […]

Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York City, is known for being the home of LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, Citi Field (home of the New York Mets), the Unisphere, and its ethnically diverse community. Did you know that Queens Borough also used to have its own unique mailing standards? […]

Update: This article has been edited to reflect the new launch date of August 15 for the Automated Package Verification program. The USPS is implementing a new system that will change how shortpaid or overpaid mail is charged and handled. Previously, shortpaid pieces used to go through a cumbersome process by which they’d be returned to […]

Summer’s coming, and you’re checking off a long list of tasks that need to be performed before you can relax on the beach. You’ve booked your tickets, compiled your summer reading list, and made sure you have all of the supplies and clothes you need. What’s left? Don’t let your mail accumulate while you’re away! […]

Updated as of 6/30/2025. The United States Postal Service (USPS®) adjusts postage rates at least once a year, and sometimes more frequently. These changes can have an impact on your mailing and shipping costs, that’s why we’re committed to keeping you informed so you can manage your expenses effectively. In this blog, we’ll break down […]

Stamps are an essential piece in the world of mailing. Very rarely though do they offer much guidance outside of “peel here and stick there.” Stamps give no answers to important questions like: What impacts postage costs? How do you determine the right postage? Do stamps expire? And of course, how many stamps do you […]

Have you noticed that your mailing and shipping costs change even when you’re sending the same package to the same place? One key reason for these fluctuations is something called demand surcharges. What are demand surcharges? Demand surcharges are extra fees that shipping carriers add during busy times when demand for shipping is high. These […]

Historically, postage rates have been fixed. However, a significant shift is underway this year, as more carriers are adopting dynamic pricing models. This means that rates are no longer fixed but are adjusted in real-time based on various factors. These changes can make mailing and shipping difficult for businesses to keep up with and navigate. […]

Last updated September 10, 2024 At least once a year – and sometimes multiple times a year –  the United States Postal Service (USPS®) changes postage rates. At Stamps.com, we value transparency and strive to keep you updated on rate changes that can have an impact on your mailing and shipping expenses.  This blog will […]

Domestic First Class Package is now Ground Advantage. Visit our blog for more information! As of January 27th, 2019 USPS First Class Package Service follows zone-based pricing. Shipping rates for packages are now based on the distance your package will be traveling. Using the zip code of the packages origin and the destination zip code […]

Since its introduction in 2014, Metered Mail rates have offered businesses of all sizes a way to save using Online Postage. Metered Mail rates apply to First-Class Mail® Letter postage printed through USPS licensed software (such as Stamps.com) or using a postage meter. Online Postage costs the USPS significantly less than traditional postage stamps, and […]

At Stamps.com we often receive questions about the annual USPS postage rate increase. To help clarify some of the questions we get most, we’ve compiled this FAQ. When did the new USPS rates start? The 2019 USPS postage rate increase went into effect on Sunday, January 27, 2019. When printing postage online for letters, do […]

Beginning June 23rd, 2019 the USPS will enact rate changes that will affect Dimensional Weight Pricing for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select Ground. To ensure a smooth transition for your business be sure to review the upcoming changes listed below. What Is Dimensional Weight? Dimensional weight reflects package density, which is the […]

USPS Priority Mail is an expedited service that provides delivery anywhere in the U.S. within two to three days. With a maximum allowable package weight for this mail class is 70 pounds, priority mail is an affordable solution for a wide range of packages. Priority Mail Rates in 2019 Priority Mail rates have increased an […]

The closer we get to the holiday season, the more customers will visit your site. This influx of visitors means your business has the potential to increase your sales and customer base. As potential customers browse your website, they’ll investigate your return policy to decide whether or not your products will be the ones under […]

The busy holiday season is over, and now you can sit back and relax, right? Well, not exactly. Your business is still doing business, and along with normal operations that you have to manage on a daily basis, you’ll probably have to deal with items that customers are returning for exchanges or refunds. Here are […]

We’ve all seen an infomercial that promises to let you return an item if you’re at all unhappy with your purchase. “If for any reason you’re no longer satisfied with your Snuggie, simply return it for a full refund. No questions asked.” Many e-commerce return policies are based on this philosophy of risk-reversal. If you […]

We hear you – managing returns is frustrating. It can feel complex, time consuming, or even like the death of a sale. That said, 60% of shoppers who make at least one return to an online store, a whopping 95% of them will purchase from that store again if the return experience is positive. Moreover, […]