When shipping through USPS Stamps.com, and choosing Packaging Options, you can report different specific packaging options to USPS in order to access special and specific rates accordingly.
To access this section:
1. Access Clients under the Maintenance menu
2. Click on the Client under which the billing account is found
3. Press Edit Billing Account
4. Switch to the Carrier Options tab
5. Deploy the Package Type dropdown
This list will feature two sets of options related to flat rates:
- Large Envelope or Flat
- Flat Rate Boxes/Envelopes (Small, Large, etc.)
These options, given USPS' operation, apply as follows:
- Large Envelope or Flat: Applicable for First Class Mail services only
- Flat Rate Box/Envelope: Applicable for Priority or Priority Express services only
6. Press Save to apply the change
Given that consideration, if you wish to Rate Shop Flat Rates with this Carrier (assuming you have already configured everything needed for a regular Rate Shopping scenario), you need to either:
- Set up your USPS Stamps Billing Account Profile with Mapped Box Name having configured the proper Box and Mappings as indicated in How to set and map Custom boxes (Package Type Mappings) [Step-by-Step guide]
NOTE: This option is limited to WMS/ERP/OMS systems that support passing Box Names and have been integrated as part of the techSHIP plugin connection - Set up as many as needed Billing Account Profiles following the instructions in How to add and set up a USPS (Stamps.com/Endicia) Billing Account [Step-by-Step guide] and specifying the Package Type for each one accordingly
By doing so, you can have techSHIP automatically compare rates across different Flat Rate packaging options and rates.