SingPost and USPS launch Singapore eBay delivery service
The US Postal Service has extended its eBay e-commerce shipping alliance to Singapore, through a new partnership with Singapore Post. The ePAC service comes following similar “ePacket” services launched by USPS partnering with Hongkong Post and China Post. USPS is currently in the process of
SingPost said that from today, the new service offers full tracking for lightweight goods up to two kilos in weight, with delivery from eBay sellers in Singapore to the United States in six to eight working days.
The service cuts two-to-four days off transit times for SingPost’s equivalent registered small packet service, although prices for under two kilos are a little higher at S$14.90 ($11.55 USD) per item (compared to S$13.10, $10.15 USD), and there is no liability offered for items (compared to S$68 of liability for the registered small packet service).
SingPost said the service will be using USPS First Class Mail service when shipments enter the United States.
The Post has provided a new “APAC” platform at apacshippingtool.ebay.com/HomePage to allow eBay sellers to integrate with the new service, taking orders, printing labels and tracking the shipment status of items through their eBay accounts.
The new shipping tool also allows US-based buyers to track and confirm delivery through their eBay accounts.
Paul Vogel, the president and chief marketing/sales officer for USPS said: “We realise the great potential of ecommerce between Asia Pacific and the United States. This arrangement to offer ePAC in Singapore will help meet the demands of eBay buyers in the United States.”
Trade
eBay said sellers in Singapore were second only to those in Thailand in the Southeast Asia region regarding the amount of sales being made.
Oliver Hua, the chief operating officer for the Greater China, Southeast Asia and Japan area for eBay Marketplaces, said: “We foresee ePAC playing a vital role in driving Singapore’s online exports to the United States as demonstrated by a similar shipping service launched with China Post and the US Postal Service in September 2010, which is already processing more than 90,000 parcels a day.”
SingPost said the project was part of its ongoing efforts to boost trade from Singapore to the United States.
Woo Keng Leong, the executive vice president (postal) at SingPost, said the jointly-developed service sought to provide a “reliable and affordable” solution for online shoppers, in this case in the US.
“E-commerce in Singapore has grown significantly over the last few years as more Singaporeans are embracing an e-lifestyle,” he said. “SingPost is keen to play a big part in this growth and is offering value e-commerce fulfillment and logistics solutions in Singapore and the region.”
