Starting July 1st, 2024, USPS is implementing new shipping rates for various services and packages. Here’s a detailed look at what’s changing:

USPS Shipping Changes: What You Need to Know

Ground Advantage

• Price Increases for Packages Over 1 Pound: Rates will rise by up to $2.11, particularly affecting packages in the 1-5 pound range.
• Price Increases for Packages Under 1 Pound: Rates will increase by up to 33 cents for zones 6-8.
• Cubic Pricing: Ground Advantage Cubic rates are increasing by up to $1.67.

Priority Mail

• Weight-Based Rates: Prices will increase by up to $3.10.
• Cubic Rates: Expect an increase of up to $2.97.
• Flat Rate Prices: These will go up by as much as $1.18.

Discount Adjustments

• The maximum discounts available for USPS compared to Retail Pricing will drop from 89% to 88%.

Additional Changes Effective July 14th

• Media Mail Rates: These will increase by up to 56 cents.
• Signature Confirmation: The cost is going up by 20 cents, bringing the total to $3.70.

These changes are universal across all platforms where you can buy postage online.

Best-In-Class Rates with VESYL

‍Despite these increases, VESYL continues to offer the best-in-class shipping rates through its partnership with USPS and other carriers. Our goal is to streamline your shipping operations, providing discounted rates for a silky smooth fulfillment process.

Navigating the Changes

By staying ahead, you can make the best informed decisions for your shipping needs. Utilize VESYL’s simple rate shopping feature to compare rates and make informed decisions on the best options for your shipping needs, whether you're shipping 1 or 1000's of packages a day.

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Want to learn more about VESYL's smooth shipping software? Book a demo with us or read more.

With an estimated 356 billion packages shipped worldwide in 2023, it’s no surprise that with this increase in online shopping, there has also been a rise in damaged, lost and stolen packages. However, it’s not the be all end all as there are a variety of steps brands can take to protect their packages and ensure they reach their customers in one piece. We’ve packaged these up with some real-life examples for you below.

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Common Challenges with Shipping Damages

Shipping damages are a challenge for e-commerce businesses, manifesting in various forms such as physical damage to products, broken seals, and moisture-related issues. These damages can arise from inadequate packaging, mishandling during transit, or environmental factors. It all sounds straightforward however, when it comes to deciphering who is liable for the damages, that is when the headache can start. For damages associated with insufficient packaging, it often falls on the business, leading to financial losses, increased return rates, and the necessity for refunds or replacements. For damages due to mishandling, the liability can fall into the carriers hands, but it’s important to note this can be timely and not always successful. Moreover, shipping damages can severely impact a brand’s reputation, reducing customer trust and satisfaction. Frequent occurrences of damaged goods not only escalate operational costs but also diminish customer loyalty, making it crucial for businesses to adopt the tips outlined below.

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Tips for Brands to Protect Packages and Minimize Damage

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Invest in High-Quality Packaging Materials

There’s many areas where businesses cut costs, however, effective and robust packaging should not be one of them. Brands should invest in high-quality materials that provide adequate protection. This includes:

• Sturdy Boxes: Use corrugated cardboard boxes that are correctly sized for the items being shipped. Oversized boxes can lead to shifting and damage, while undersized boxes may burst open.
• Protective Padding: Incorporate bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows to cushion products and absorb shocks.
• Durable Tape: Secure boxes with strong, adhesive tape designed for shipping. Reinforce edges and seams to prevent accidental openings.

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Properly Cushion and Pack Items

Effective cushioning and packing techniques are crucial to preventing damage. Follow these steps to ensure your products are well-protected:

• Wrap Each Item Individually: For fragile or breakable items, wrap each piece separately with bubble wrap, foam sheets or tissue paper.
• Fill Void Spaces: Use packing materials to fill any empty spaces in the box, preventing movement during transit.
• Double-Boxing: For highly fragile items, consider double-boxing. Place the item in a smaller box with padding, then place that box inside a larger, well-cushioned box.

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Label Packages Correctly

Clear and accurate labeling can significantly reduce the risk of damage. Ensure your packages are labeled with the following information:

• Fragile Stickers: Use “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” stickers for delicate items.
• Up Arrows: Indicate the correct orientation of the package with “This Side Up” arrows.
• Shipping Information: Clearly display the recipient’s address and contact information. Include a return address as well.

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Choose Reliable Shipping Partners

The choice of a shipping carrier can influence the safety of your packages. Choose carriers known for their reliability and careful handling of parcels in addition to:

• Insurance: Opt for shipping insurance to cover the cost of potential damages.
• Tracking: Use carriers that provide tracking information to monitor the shipment’s progress and address issues promptly.

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Leverage Package Protection

Leveraging extra package protection allows brands to protect their revenue and reduce the load for the CX team. Customers are able to add or remove the package protection from their cart at the checkout. If purchased and a package is stolen, lost or damaged in transit, the customer can contact the protection provider directly who will process the claim and issue a reorder or refund, without any extra cost to the brand or customer. This not only protects revenue, but also enhances customer trust and confidence, knowing if any issues arise, it will be resolved quickly and hassle-free.

For example, our friends over at Corso have a simple to use claims portal for customers and pride themselves on resolving shipping issues within 24 hours. 

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Collect and Analyze Data

It’s tough to improve if you’re not measuring. By gathering data on damages such as certain items are damaged more than others or certain package sizes are being frequently damaged, brands can effectively adjust packaging methods. Not to mention, for new products or packaging, you can conduct test runs or even drop tests in house, to ensure they will reach your customer in one piece. 

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In Summary

Securing shipments and minimizing damage requires attention to detail, investment in quality materials, and collaboration with reliable shipping carriers. By implementing these strategies above, brands can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce financial losses, and build a reputation for reliability and care. Not to mention, the key to successful shipping lies in the preparation and continuous improvement of your packaging and shipping practices.

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With the average return rates for e-commerce stores between 20-30%, according to Shopify,  return logistics can no longer be overlooked. Not only does smooth returns enhance the customer experience, but also removes costly and timely bottlenecks for brands. In this guide, we'll dive into the world of return logistics, exploring best practices and strategies.

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The Importance of Return Logistics

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Return logistics are the processes involved in handling product returns, exchanges, and refunds in the e-commerce ecosystem. The inability to touch, try and see items in person first, make returns an inevitable part of e-commerce. Whether it’s due to sizing or fit issues, a defective or faulty item, or a number of other potential reasons, providing a smooth returns process can enhance your brand reputation, customer loyalty and give you the competitive edge. Think of it as the brand's opportunity to shift a negative experience into a positive and memorable one. 

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Best Practices in Return Logistics

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Clear and Transparent Return Policies

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A clear and transparent return policy removes the guesswork and lets your customers know exactly what to expect if they need to return or exchange an item. This increased transparency builds trust with customers and leads to loyal customers. 

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The return policy should be easily accessible on your website. Some brands choose to include it in a drop down menu on the product listing itself along with sizing and product information. This enables customers to make informed decisions without needing to search the website or contact the CX team. 

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A clear and transparent returns policy needs to include:

• The time frame for returns and exchanges period. Most customers expect a 30 day return policy.
• The conditions required for all returned products.
• If you have different policies and requirements for different products, make sure these are clearly outlined and communicated. 
• Clearly outline any return costs. Free returns are a big draw for online shoppers. Brands can also outline different costs for different return reasons, such as the customer is required to pay the return fees if the reason for return is that they changed their mind. However, for a faulty or damaged product, the brand covers the return fees. 
• Give clear step-by-step instructions on how customers can initiate a return. Include key information about whether they need to return the item in the original packaging, where they can locate the return label and once again the condition the item needs to be returned in. (For more straightforward returns, leverage VESYL’s QR codes, allowing customers to download the QR code and take it to their local drop off point, without needing to print any labels.)

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Simplified Return Processes

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Streamline the returns process by providing multiple return options like online returns, in-store returns, or drop-off locations. This accommodates varying customer preferences and situations, ensuring convenience and flexibility. For example, Amazon's "Online Returns Center" simplifies returns with a user-friendly interface, allowing customers to initiate returns swiftly and effortlessly. By diversifying return channels and leveraging user-friendly platforms, businesses can optimize the returns experience, reduce friction, and ultimately foster stronger customer relationships. Brands can also leverage returns software to centralize return tickets in one place, provide a simple user interface for customers to use and provide detailed information on the progress of the return. 

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Within shipments on VESYL, under actions, you can create a return label on a shipment, allowing you to quickly and easily get return labels over to your customer to return an item.

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Efficient Return Handling

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To optimize efficiency in return handling, it's essential to invest in streamlined procedures that minimize processing time and costs. Automation tools and dedicated teams play a crucial role in managing returns promptly and accurately. By leveraging automated return processing systems, like ASOS does, businesses can efficiently handle high volumes of returns, mitigating manual workload and reducing processing time. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures timely resolution for customers, leading to improved satisfaction and retention. Embracing technology and implementing efficient workflows are key strategies to increase efficiency in return management, ultimately driving better outcomes for both businesses and customers.

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Encouraging Exchanges Over Returns

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By offering incentives such as free return shipping labels for exchanges or store credits, businesses can incentivize customers to opt for exchanges, retaining revenue and fostering positive relationships. For example, brands can offer a gift card for a slightly higher value than the original purchase to encourage customers to continue their journey with the brand. Finally, by leveraging easy-to-use exchanges software allows customers to quickly pick the product size, color or type they wanted to exchange for. This streamlines the process by reducing the need to speak to a CX representative and providing the customer with the options at their fingertips.

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In Conclusion

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With the increase in online shopping, the demand for excellent customer service and quicker resolutions, mastering return logistics can set your brand ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. By implementing best practices such as clear return policies, simplified processes, and encouraging exchanges, businesses can streamline their return logistics while providing exceptional customer experiences. Remember, prioritizing exchanges over returns not only reduces the strain on your team but also strengthens customer relationships, ultimately driving long-term success.

It’s no secret that shipping costs can eat into your bottom line as a brand. However, with some strategic planning and optimization, you can significantly reduce shipping expenses while still delivering a polished customer experience. In this article, we'll explore 3 simple tips to reduce shipping costs without compromising on quality.

Optimize Packing

One of the easiest ways to reduce shipping costs is to optimize packing, and there’s a variety of simple ways to get started:

• Right-size Packaging: Choose packaging that fits your products snugly to minimize wasted space and avoid dimensional weight charges. Using smaller boxes or envelopes can often result in lower shipping costs. Not to mention, correctly packaging products helps to reduce the risk of damage in transit, further reducing the costs, and time, associated with damage claims.
• Lightweight Materials: Use lightweight packing materials such as bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard or air pillows to protect items without adding unnecessary weight to packages. This helps to lower shipping costs for shipments priced by weight.
• Eliminate Excess Packaging: Avoid overpacking by using just enough cushioning to protect items during transit. Removing excess packaging materials can reduce package dimensions and weight, leading to lower shipping costs. However, while minimizing packaging, it’s important to still use a sufficient amount to reduce the risk of damages during transit.

Rate Shop

Just as you would compare the costs of products in the supermarket, shipping costs are no different. 

• Use Shipping Software: Instead of having to manually compare rates and shipping speeds across various carriers, leverage shipping software that does it all for you. VESYL serves up the most competitive shipping rates in real time across multiple carriers so you can make the best informed choice. The software also allows you to pre-define frequently used package dimensions, to not only save on costs, but also time. 
• Negotiate Carrier Rates: If you have a high shipping volume, consider negotiating discounted rates directly with carriers. Many carriers offer volume-based discounts or incentives for loyal customers, which can help lower your overall shipping costs. However, it’s important to note that this option does limit flexibility in case of shipping disruptions. 

Learn more about VESYL's automations to reduce costs and time.

Utilize Discounted Supplies

Shipping supplies can add up quickly, but there are ways to save on packaging materials:

• Bulk Ordering: By analyzing order history, you can identify the most used package sizes and types and look at bulk ordering to reduce costs. This includes boxes, envelopes, tape, and labels in bulk to fully take advantage of volume discounts, helping you save on packaging costs in the long run.
• Utilize Carrier Supplies: Take advantage of free or discounted shipping supplies offered by carriers. Many carriers provide free packaging materials, such as boxes and envelopes, to their customers. By using these supplies, you can save on packaging costs and ensure compatibility with carrier specifications.
• Consider Eco-Friendly Options: Look for environmentally friendly packaging materials that are not only cost-effective but also sustainable. Recycled cardboard boxes, biodegradable packaging peanuts, and compostable mailers are eco-friendly alternatives that can help reduce shipping costs, improve brand reputation all while minimizing environmental impact.

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By implementing these three simple tips, you can effectively reduce shipping costs for your e-commerce business. Remember to regularly review and adjust your shipping strategies to ensure ongoing cost savings and optimal efficiency. With a little planning and optimization, you can streamline your shipping process and boost your bottom line while providing excellent service to your customers.