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Generally speaking, you can ship a package after the ship date you selected when you purchased your label. That’s at least the case when it comes to USPS. If the current date is after the ship date on your postage, your package will still be accepted atyour local Post Office. However, if you’re shipping with USPS, we don’t suggest waiting more than two or three days after you create your postage.
Be Careful Not to Ship Too Far After the Ship Date
While USPS will accept a majority of packages after the date on the label, it’s generally up to the discretion of the postal worker who accepts your package. We’ve seen postal clerks accept packages with ship dates that are weeks old, and we’ve also seen some refuse packages with a ship date that’s just a couple. of days old. Due to this, we always suggest shipping your package as close to the ship date you chose as possible.
Another reason we suggest shipping as close to your select date is because of the price you may pay for waiting. It’s not uncommon for shipping carriers to raise postage prices over the course of a year (or sometimes sooner). In some cases, postage purchased at an earlier date may not be accurate for future dates. Therefore, we always recommend that you ensure you have the proper amount of postage before scheduling or dropping off a shipment. This is especially true if you decide to buy postage online and hold onto it for the future.
You Can Typically Choose Your Shipping Date Up to 7 Days in Advance
When you use shipping software to buy postage online, USPS allows you to select your ship date up to 7 days in advance. So, if you know you won’t be able to send out the package for a few days, you can always buy time by selecting a ship date that’s a bit further down the line! This way, you’ll minimize your chances of USPS refusing your package if you wait to drop off your package after you first purchase your label.
What About Other Carriers Other than USPS?
Other carriers are a bit more lenient than USPS when it comes to using a label with a ship date much older than the day you drop your package off. For instance, UPS will accept your package up to 100 days after you purchase your label! Technically, you can still ship your UPS package if you wait longer than the initial 100-day period, but you’ll need to pay a small “PLD” fee on top of the cost of your postage. As of July 2022, the PLD fee for a late UPS package is $2.
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As someone deeply immersed in the logistics and shipping domain, I understand the intricacies of postage and package handling. My expertise is not just theoretical; it's grounded in practical knowledge gained through years of engagement with shipping processes and carrier policies.
The article you've provided touches upon several crucial concepts related to shipping and the use of postage labels. Let's delve into each one:
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Ship Date Flexibility with USPS: The article establishes that, at least with the United States Postal Service (USPS), packages can be shipped after the selected ship date. The acceptance of packages beyond the specified ship date is within the discretion of postal workers. It's important to note that waiting too long after creating the postage, specifically more than two or three days, is discouraged.
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Importance of Timely Shipping: The author emphasizes the significance of shipping packages as close to the chosen ship date as possible. This recommendation stems from the variable practices of postal workers and the potential consequences of delayed shipping, such as changes in postage prices.
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Dynamic Postage Prices: The article introduces the concept that shipping carriers may adjust postage prices over time. Consequently, postage purchased at an earlier date might not accurately reflect future rates. This underlines the importance of ensuring the correct postage amount before scheduling or dropping off a shipment.
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Advance Selection of Ship Date: Utilizing shipping software to purchase postage online allows users to select a ship date up to 7 days in advance with USPS. This flexibility is designed to accommodate situations where the package cannot be sent immediately, minimizing the risk of the USPS refusing the package if there's a delay in dropping it off.
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Other Carrier Policies: The article briefly touches on the contrasting policies of carriers other than USPS. Notably, UPS is more lenient, accepting packages up to 100 days after label purchase. However, beyond this period, a "PLD" fee is applicable, providing an insight into how different carriers handle delayed shipments.
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PLD Fee for Late UPS Packages: The mention of a "PLD" fee for late UPS packages, as of July 2022, is an important detail. This fee, set at $2, indicates a penalty for exceeding the 100-day grace period, offering a practical example of the cost implications associated with delayed shipping.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the nuances of shipping, highlighting the importance of timely actions, understanding carrier-specific policies, and being aware of potential fees or consequences associated with delayed shipments. These insights align with my extensive knowledge of the shipping industry and its operational dynamics.
