Window Book--In December 2011 the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) announced changes to a variety of prices and services available for international shipping and mailing. A big change is in the area of required electronic customs documents for some international shipments. This change was prompted by various federal regulation changes that now require electronic transmission of Customs-related functions prior to mailing. What this means for mailers is that labels, customs documents and other postal documentation must be generated using the USPS Global Shipping Software (GSS) and submitted electronically.
Why the change?
This change in postal requirements is actually driven by other federal regulatory changes from several federal agencies, all of which deal with increased security for international shipments. As a result of these federal agency changes, the USPS made changes to their regulations for international shipments. These changes impact any shipments sent via Global Express Guaranteed®, Express Mail International® or Priority Mail International® commercial base, commercial plus, or retail rates that are paid under an indicia or permit imprint.
What is GSS?
GSS stands for Global Shipping Software, which is produced by the USPS, and provides for the generation of shipping labels and required Customs and postal documentation, plus the ability to transmit this data electronically. In addition to using the USPS GSS software, mailers may also use USPS certified software vendors to access the USPS software.
USPS Certified Postal Package Partner
Window Book has been certified by the USPS for these electronic submissions via our Postal Package Partner (PPP) software. If you currently use PPP for international shipments, contact us today to walk through this new process and help you get tested and approved by the USPS. If you are not currently a PPP user, but you ship internationally, you can receive a complimentary demonstration of the software and how it can be used to meet these new postal requirements for international shipments. Contact us at postalspecialist@windowbook.com to get started using PPP and GSS.
Effective Dates
Effective January 22, 2012, mailers paying the retail price were no longer allowed to enter Express Mail International or Priority Mail International items bearing a permit imprint at a business mail entry unit (BMEU). Mailers have been given until April 1, 2012 to comply with the electronic transmission requirement for these international shipments.
Handling Change
If you are shipping items internationally using these services, you will need to make plans to access the USPS GSS software effective April 1, 2012 in order to continue making those shipments. Alternatively, you may access the software through USPS certified third-party software vendors. Keep in mind that this process requires some testing and approval by the USPS, so mailers should plan ahead for this conversion as soon as possible.
Don't miss out on our educational mailing webinars! Log on to our webinar registration site to sign up.
Why the change?
This change in postal requirements is actually driven by other federal regulatory changes from several federal agencies, all of which deal with increased security for international shipments. As a result of these federal agency changes, the USPS made changes to their regulations for international shipments. These changes impact any shipments sent via Global Express Guaranteed®, Express Mail International® or Priority Mail International® commercial base, commercial plus, or retail rates that are paid under an indicia or permit imprint.
What is GSS?
GSS stands for Global Shipping Software, which is produced by the USPS, and provides for the generation of shipping labels and required Customs and postal documentation, plus the ability to transmit this data electronically. In addition to using the USPS GSS software, mailers may also use USPS certified software vendors to access the USPS software.
USPS Certified Postal Package Partner
Window Book has been certified by the USPS for these electronic submissions via our Postal Package Partner (PPP) software. If you currently use PPP for international shipments, contact us today to walk through this new process and help you get tested and approved by the USPS. If you are not currently a PPP user, but you ship internationally, you can receive a complimentary demonstration of the software and how it can be used to meet these new postal requirements for international shipments. Contact us at postalspecialist@windowbook.com to get started using PPP and GSS.
Effective Dates
Effective January 22, 2012, mailers paying the retail price were no longer allowed to enter Express Mail International or Priority Mail International items bearing a permit imprint at a business mail entry unit (BMEU). Mailers have been given until April 1, 2012 to comply with the electronic transmission requirement for these international shipments.
Handling Change
If you are shipping items internationally using these services, you will need to make plans to access the USPS GSS software effective April 1, 2012 in order to continue making those shipments. Alternatively, you may access the software through USPS certified third-party software vendors. Keep in mind that this process requires some testing and approval by the USPS, so mailers should plan ahead for this conversion as soon as possible.
Don't miss out on our educational mailing webinars! Log on to our webinar registration site to sign up.
