USPS launches regional parcel service for e-commerce mailers

A new lightweight parcels service launched this week in the United States, designed to meet the needs of e-commerce merchants. Part of the US Postal Service’s bulk ground package delivery service, Parcel Select, the Parcel Select Regional Ground
service on April 17.

According to USPS, it offers savings for high-volume business-to-consumer shippers sending small packages within regional areas.

The service is available for shippers committing to sending at least 10,000 mailpieces each year, up to five pounds in weight, within the continental United States. The service is priced to benefit items being sent within the local and first three USPS zones – or within about 300 miles of origin.

Pricing varies by weight, entry point and destination, but a one-pound package shipped within zones one to three would cost as low as $3.78 to send, compared to $5.12 on the Parcel Select nonpresort service.

Mail items must be machinable, up to 0.35 cubic feet in size and postage paid using permit imprints. They must also include either the Postal Service’s Intelligent Mail package barcode or Confirmation Services barcode.

The USPS Delivery Confirmation service is included in the Parcel Select Regional Ground service at no extra charge, while Insured Mail, Signature Confirmation and Hold for Pickup services are also available with the service.

Mailers can either use USPS Sectional Center Facilities or origin Network Distribution Centers to enter shipments, the Postal Service said.

Gary Reblin, the USPS vice president for Domestic Products, said: “This new service is designed as a solution for e-commerce merchants looking to boost sales by offering free or discounted shipping charges for online purchases.

“It has tremendous appeal for commercial shippers requiring a cost-effective ground service for delivery of packages over shorter distances.”

Earlier this year, the US Postal Service launched a flat-rate box service for commercial mailers and e-commerce shippers to send items over short distances within the US at a simplified single price.