usps upcharging for difference in zip code

[wandjpayrent]

What happened to the section when purchasing a label that allowed you to change the ship from zip code?

Only the zip code, not the entire ship from address.

I recently got an upcharge from USPS because my label said shipping from **036 but I shipped from PO at **177. I regularly do this because **177 PO is actually closer to me and I would rather pull out my fingernails than step foot in the **036 PO.

I don't understand the upcharge to begin with, these POs are in the same zone and are @10 miles apart. 

This is the zip I will regularly ship from and I remember being able to change zip code when purchasing label because I have used it both here and when out of town.

Any suggestions?

[nobody*s_perfect]

It's not exactly an upcharge.  USPS decided they will no longer offer super-deep discounts to 17,000 out of their 42,000 ZIP Codes. For shipments to those ZIP Codes, the label price will be the regular published Commercial (online) rate even when purchased through sources like eBay that have deals for deeper discounts.

In a recent thread, @wastingtime101  showed a collection of examples of costs to and from the affected ZIP Codes which are mostly rural locations; I regret not bookmarking that thread.  Near me, there's only one such location, I don't know why there were singled out.  Good luck to you and your fingernails.

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

Hi @wandjpayrent You only provided the last 3 digits, but what's important are the first 3 digits of the zip. I can still see the issue though.

One zip code begins with 290 and the other begins with **1 - even though I'm not going to research to figure out the second zip code, I can see by the fact the "0" and "1" are different digits, that's causing your problem.

Those 2 zips may be in the same zone in relation to each other, but they are not in the same zone in relation to the destination zip code. USPS zones are determined by the first 3 digits of the zip code.

If you never use the other PO then you should change the ship from address next time you purchase a label. You can keep the same return address while changing the ship from address to match the PO where you ship.

You should also change the location on your listings, so the buyer sees the city tied to the zip code you ship from and accurate rates are charged when you use calculated shipping.

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The next time you go to print a label, click on edit next to your ship from address on the right side of the page to make sure the updated address is showing before you purchase the label. If you don't see this option you may have to click a tiny link on the top right of the page that says show advanced shipping options.

Don't forget to update the location on your listings. Go to your active listings page in seller hub, select all listings, click the edit button in the menu above your listings. From there you can use the bulk editor to change the ship from zip code on your listings to ensure accurate rates when calculated shipping is used.

[wastingtime101]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

It's not exactly an upcharge.  USPS decided they will no longer offer super-deep discounts to 17,000 out of their 42,000 ZIP Codes. For shipments to those ZIP Codes, the label price will be the regular published Commercial (online) rate even when purchased through sources like eBay that have deals for deeper discounts.

In a recent thread, @wastingtime101  showed a collection of examples of costs to and from the affected ZIP Codes which are mostly rural locations; I regret not bookmarking that thread.  Near me, there's only one such location, I don't know why there were singled out.  Good luck to you and your fingernails.

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I don't believe any of that is related to the original poster's question.

But for quick reference, here's the thread you wanted to bookmark:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/USPS-Rate-Increase-Sept-16-2024-based-on-zip-codes-not-zones/...

[wandjpayrent]

I originally thought it was the ship to address but supposedly EBay sent a message out about the USPS changes and I read it to say EBay was updating to accommodate those changes. And when I looked at the list I thought BOTH mine and the PO I use zips were on it.

Who knows..... it hasn't been much money but I don't like the surprise.

[nobody*s_perfect]

You're right, I may have misread the intention of the post.    I guess my underlying assumption was that since this is a new issue, it's more likely related to the new policy. But your example in the resurrected thread (thanks) shows that postage FROM the 17K ZIP codes to other ZIPs is unaffected and still gets the better discount.

[1786davycrockett]

@wandjpayrent 

"these POs are in the same zone and are @10 miles apart."

Although we cannot read the complete ZIP Code numbers that you provided, it is obvious that "**036" and "**177" are NOT in the same ZIP Code postal zone, since all THREE of the initial numbers in the ZIP Code must be identical -- and "**0" and "**1" are not code matches.

Although these 2 post offices may only be 10 miles apart, they are definitely in TWO different postal zones -- which could result in inaccurate scans to your packages containing a different ZIP Code zone -- and thus require extra servicing by the "foreign" post office -- for which you may, indeed, be charged extra.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Postal Zones work like a bullseye.  ZIP Codes with different first 3 digits might be in the same Zone for some destinations but not for others. ZIP Codes that are 10 miles apart can be in the same Zone -- for instance, hundreds or perhaps thousands of ZIP Codes in the Western states are in Zone 8 for all of the ZIP Codes on the east coast. 

[wastingtime101]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Postal Zones work like a bullseye. 

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^^ Exactly. A zip code isn't in a specific zone.

Zones are based on the distance between one zip and another.

For the original poster, those two zips may be in the same zone in relation to each other, but since one of them is 10 miles further from the buyer, those zips are in different zones in relation to the buyer.

The distance between zip A (ship from address of their biz/home) and the buyer is one zone, while the distance between zip B (post office where they physically dropped the package) and the buyer is a further zone.

Result: USPS cost adjustment for the price difference between the 2 zones.