Using USPS Retail Ground for zones 1-4?

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Did we get a definitive answer as to whether this is still only available for hazardous or live animals?

[scga912]

From Notice 123:

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

There is no "balloon price" now - it's Dim weight based.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Apparently the Balloon price persists for Retail Ground, which is not subject to dimensional weight.  The quote in the above post was taken from the current version of Notice 123:

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c052

[scga912]

If you go to USPS and Calculate, and plug in a Zone 1-4 shipment over 1 cu foot, Retail Ground doesn't show up as an option.

One of the pages asks:

I used a ZIP Code 2 towns away and didn't click on any of the above.  The only pricing options given were Priority Express, Priority, and Media Mail (Media Mail NA online through CnS)

Then I used a Zone 5 ZIP, and still didn't click above, and it gave me a Retail Ground retail option (again not available through CnS)

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Ah
I'm just trying to find out the alternatives for a seller friend here who often ships LARGE lightweight items.

[orangehound]

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@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:

Did we get a definitive answer as to whether this is still only available for hazardous or live animals?

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Yes, it is only for packages that contain those ... I double checked with the postmaster, and if you answer "no" to those questions, then it will not allow you to ship Retail Ground.

But, since an isopropyl alcohol wipe package is considered hazardous, if your package just happens to contain one, then it must ship ground ... just need to put an ORM-D label on the package. 

[myboardid]

Your friend needs to use Parcel Select, but yes, it does involve dimensional weight.  I don't think there is any way to ship that kind of package inexpensively any more. 

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Retail Ground would be an option once you know if the buyer is Zone 5-9 but no way to set that up beforehand I'd think.

[moonbloodstone]

VERY CLEVER! 😉

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

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@orangehound wrote:

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@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:

Did we get a definitive answer as to whether this is still only available for hazardous or live animals?

---

Yes, it is only for packages that contain those ... I double checked with the postmaster, and if you answer "no" to those questions, then it will not allow you to ship Retail Ground.

But, since an isopropyl alcohol wipe package is considered hazardous, if your package just happens to contain one, then it must ship ground ... just need to put an ORM-D label on the package. 

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Wouldn't the buyer be concerned if their purchased stuffed toy came with a hazard warning on the box?

[orangehound]

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@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:

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@orangehound wrote:

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... just need to put an ORM-D label on the package. 

Wouldn't the buyer be concerned if their purchased stuffed toy came with a hazard warning on the box?

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I think less than 1 out of 100,000 buyers would even know what an ORM-D label means ... the customer would likely wonder why an alcohol wipe was in the package, however.  Regardless, show this label to 10 of your friends and ask them what it means:

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

Ahh, so you just need the label, and don't have a "hazardous" verbiage at all. That's cool. So where do you get the labels?

[berserkerplanet]

>>So where do you get the labels? 

Buy them on eBay, elsewhere online, or just print them yourself. There is no color requirement (actually no spec - you can scribble it on the pkg with a sharpie) so banging them out on a laser or other printer on plain paper or self stickers is fine)

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_010.htm

Marking
■ Each mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with “Surface Only,” or
“Surface Mail Only” and “Consumer Commodity ORM–D.”
■ Optionally, each mailpiece may bear an approved DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking,
designating surface transportation, prepared under 343.3b, instead of an ORM-D marking.
■ A complete return address and delivery address must be used.

     

     

Note: That ORM-D format will be deprecated 12/31/2020 and I'm not sure what it will be replaced with exactly (a diamond symbol of some sort I think), so don't print too many or print as needed.