Ground only shipping question

[lepke1979]

This may be a weird question, but I want to start selling some stuff that is supposed to go ground only because it's flammable. Parcel Select is an option, but can be a bit pricier than First Class and sometimes Priority shipping. According to USPS, I can still purchase the First Class and Priority labels, but I will need to slap a Surface Transportation Only sticker on it so the package only goes ground.

I don't usually do free shipping now and would like to still put First Class or whatever as the option and then put the ground only sticker on the package. But...the time to get there will obviously be longer. Outside of telling the customer it will take longer to get there because of ground shipping, is there a way to reflect the extended shipping time being longer because of this? Would changing the handling time a little help with this (change it from 3 days to maybe 7 for instance)?

I don't know, may end up just going free shipping on these and select Parcel Select as the option even though it might go First Class. But would rather not go the free shipping route if I can help it because I find it somewhat easier.

[friskya]

If it requires ground handling, First Class or Priority isn't an option for you. It must go Retail Ground.

Proof?

Go to https://postcalc.usps.com and enter in some zip codes (I used my own and 90210 for Beverly Hills - the only one I know by heart).

Then click the box for "Requires ground transportation" and choose "Calculate price based on Shape and Size". 

On the next page enter a weight and choose "Package"

You'll see that the only postage option given to you is USPS Retail Ground.

Now try it again without the "Requires ground transportation" - Lots of additional options then!

[fab_finds4u]

NO, whoever told you that you can purchase First Class or Priority labels and slap Surface Mail only is wrong and should be fired!!!! 

FIrst Class and Priority are air transportation methods and flammable items cannot be shipped air transportation without a lot of paperwork/ dangerous goods declaration. 

eBay is phasing out Parcel Select. But you should mail it Standard Post, and on the address side of the label write ORM-D Surface Mail Only Community Commodity.

Please refer to Postal Bulletin 22011 page 9 Hazardous Mailability Standards Sec 4.2 Flammable  Liquid Mailibility.

[lepke1979]

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@fab_finds4u wrote:

FIrst Class and Priority are air transportation methods and flammable items cannot be shipped air transportation without a lot of paperwork/ dangerous goods declaration.

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Which is what the Surface Transportation Only sticker is supposed to prevent. Eh, guess I'll call customer service tomorrow to verify. Thinking about it now, it might just change it to Parcel Select on their end and they bill me the difference. But she made it seem like that wouldn't be the case. Would just take longer.

[wastingtime101]

eBay allows you to offer Parcel Select on listings, but for the most part they have eliminated the ability for a seller to purchase a Parcel Select label through eBay. What you'll need to do is purchase the label elsewhere and upload the tracking to eBay. Since you'll be doing this regularly, I suggest setting up an account with pirateship.com (it's free) and linking it to your eBay account. It will import your orders and send tracking info to eBay when you purchase your labels.