Carrier adjustments are a frustrating reality of shipping that most shippers will have to deal with from time to time. These adjustments can affect your shipping costs and delivery timelines.
This article can help you understand what adjustments are, why they occur, and offer ways to minimize their impact on your business.
Adjustments are charges or credits from the shipping carrier that are billed or credited to your Stamps.com account balance. Adjustments are typically made by carriers to ensure fair billing and accurate delivery. They can result in increased costs or delays in the shipping process. Adjustments are typically caused by factors like package weight, dimensions, delivery location, or service level.
Adjustments can sometimes appear from several days to several weeks after the ship date.
For carrier adjustments, an adjustment processing fee will be applied to cover administrative and other costs. See the section Adjustment Processing Fee for more information.
Below is a list of common adjustments by carrier. For further details about the types of adjustments a carrier may apply, please visit your carrier's website.
There are several reasons you might receive an adjustment, including (but not limited to):
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A package that is an unconventional shape, like a cylinder or tube
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Package dimensions exceed the service or carrier maximum
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The package triggers dimensional weight pricing but no dimensions were entered prior to purchase
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Saturday deliveries
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The package is packed in something other than cardboard, such as wrapped in plastic or encased in metal
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The recipient address is incorrect or incomplete
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The label was attached incorrectly, so the barcode could not be scanned
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Residential or out-of-area deliveries
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Fuel surcharges or Peak surcharges
USPS automates much of its adjustment process with its Automatic Package Verification (APV) System. Other carriers use similar methods to ensure compliance with their shipment regulations.
This USPS surcharge only applies to letters that cannot be automatically processed.
The USPS relies on machines to automate the processing of its mail volume. To be processed by these machines, mail must have certain physical characteristics.
The following are common criteria for avoiding the surcharge on a letter:
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Must bend easily. If a letter is too rigid or has uneven thickness, it may not pass through the machines.
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Dimensions must be within 22" x 18" x 15” and weigh less than 25 lbs.
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For pieces more than 4-1/4" high or 6" long, the piece must be at least 0.009" thick.
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Delivery address must be parallel to the long side of the mailpiece.
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For booklet-type pieces, the bound edge must be along the longest dimension, and cannot be across the top.
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If the letter is a self-mailer (such as a bifold or trifold flier), the mailer should be securely closed at all openings (sides and front) with wafer seals or cellophane tape.
While still mailable, letters that do not meet these criteria are considered "nonmachinable" and due to this, incur additional postage charges.
If one or more of the following applies to your letter, click the Add'l Options button and select the Odd Shaped/Non-machinable checkbox:
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It is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
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Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
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Contains items such as pens or loose keys that cause the thickness to be uneven.
Packages larger than the dimension criteria will be subject to an additional charge, depending on the size. This surcharge does not apply to First Class and Media Mail packages.
The USPS criteria for large package surcharges:
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If the longest side of a package is more than 22 inches but less than 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge will be applied.
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If the longest side of a package is greater than 30 inches, a $15.00 surcharge will be applied.
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Packages with missing or incorrect package dimensions that result in any dimensions-based fees, a $1.50 surcharge will be applied.
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If the volume of the package is greater than 2 cubic feet, a $15.00 surcharge will be applied.
A square package 1 ft x 1 ft is one cubic foot. A square package 2 ft x 2 ft is two cubic feet (a 2 cubic foot square box is pretty big and well beyond the size of most packages) .
For boxes that aren't square, measure the length, width, and height of your box in inches. Multiply the length, width, and height, then divide that total by 1,728. That is the exact cubic dimension of your package.
UPS from ShipStation is available to US, Canada, and UK-based ShipStation accounts.
|
Charge Type |
Services Affected |
Available Details |
|---|---|---|
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Address Change |
All Services |
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Additional Handling |
All Services |
|
|
Large Package Surcharge |
All Services |
A package is considered a “Large Package” when its length plus girth [girth = (2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 300cm but does not exceed the maximum UPS size of 400cm Large packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 40kg in addition to the Large Package Surcharge |
|
Over Maximum Limits Charge |
All Services |
Packages with an actual weight of more than 70kg, or that exceed 274cm in length, or exceed a total of 400cm in length and girth combined [girth = (2 x width) + (2 x height)], are not accepted for transportation. If found in the UPS small package system, they are subject to an additional charge Packages exceeding 400cm in length and girth combined are also subject to the Large Package Surcharge |
|
Saturday Delivery |
All Services |
|
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UK Border Fee |
All Services |
Packages between Northern Ireland and Great Britain |
|
Alternative Address |
All Services |
The best way to avoid adjustments is to make sure you enter accurate weight and dimensions for every package you ship. This will ensure the correct rate is applied when preparing your shipping label. Entering accurate package information is the responsibility of the shipper. This is true for all carriers.
Other things to consider:
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Use a postal scale. Don't guess! Using a scale, properly calibrated, helps ensure accurate weights.
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For dimensions, round up fractional amounts: For example, 6.3 inches should be rounded up to 6.5 inches.
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Check limitations for size or weight: Make certain you package is within any limitations the carrier or service has.
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Use the smallest box: Using the smallest box that can contain proper packing materials will help avoid unnecessary surcharges, like the Dimensional Weight Surcharge.
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Use sturdy packaging: Use materials that will not deform during shipping. A deformed package can, in some cases, exceed dimension limits for some services.
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Indicate Special Handling: If your package is a non-standard shape or is not a corrugated cardboard box, it will require special handling. For example, boxes that are very long, very wide, or an odd shape (like tubes).
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Get familiar with your carrier's rules: Some carriers have supplemental surcharges for delivery to certain areas. While these have been in place for many years, be sure you are aware of any extra costs.
Keep Track of Your Adjustments
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In some circumstances, adjustments can put an account into a negative balance, which might also trigger overdraft protection with Automatic Postage Purchases. It is important to keep track of adjustments to avoid this.
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Adjustments from non-USPS carriers do not display the reason for the adjustment within Stamps.com. For these adjustments, please compare your shipping information with that supplied by the carrier.
Stamps.com applies an adjustment processing fee when discrepancies are identified by a carrier after label creation for the package. These discrepancies lead to additional administrative and other costs for Stamps.com. The adjustment processing fee helps to partially cover these costs so that we can continue to offer you competitive rates and reliable service.
Some examples of scenarios that would incur an adjustment processing fee include:
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Incorrect weight or dimensions: The actual weight or dimensions of a package exceeds what you input during the label creation process.
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Incorrect zones: You mislabeled the destination zone of the package, changing the routing and delivery.
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Incorrect package type: The package type you selected during the label creation process does not match the physical characteristics of the package.
Discrepancies are typically identified by the carrier during the carrier routing process. If a discrepancy is identified on a package, you will be charged the carrier cost adjustment amount in addition to an adjustment processing fee, which will be 20% of the carrier cost adjustment amount up to a maximum adjustment processing fee of $1.00 per package.
You can view the adjustment processing fee for a package on the Balances Transactions Report.
If you believe an adjustment was made in error, follow these steps to dispute it with the specific carrier:
USPS adjustments are assessed by USPS and then either added to or subtracted from your Stamps.com account balance.
You can dispute any adjustments with the USPS by sending an email to VerifyPostageHelp@usps.gov. This email should include the following information:
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The Tracking # of the package.
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The Adjustment ID associated with the adjustment.
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The reason or explanation for the dispute (please provide as much detail as possible).
If the USPS requires more information, they will reach out to you via email.
The USPS will notify us once they reach a decision, which we will forward to you via email.
UPS adjustments are assessed by UPS and then either added to or subtracted from your Stamps.com account balance.
If you are certain you entered the correct values, you may dispute the adjustments.
To get the information you'll need to provide to Stamps.com:
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Click the Adjustment in the transaction report.
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Copy the tracking number and make note of the associated ship date.
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Repeat Step 2 for each shipment with an adjustment you wish to dispute.
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Compare the details for the shipment with the shipment record in Stamps.com.
if you feel a UPS adjustment may have been made in error, please complete the UPS from Stamps.com Shipping Adjustment Dispute Form within 90 days of billing. Our Carrier Services Team will be in touch with you if we need additional information.
Important Details about Disputing Adjustments
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A negative balance must be resolved before creating more labels. If the adjustment has resulted in a negative postage balance, you will not be able to create labels in Stamps.com until you add funds to your balance.
If refunds are due to your account, they will be applied automatically to your Stamps.com Balance.
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Support agents may ask for photographic proof to dispute the adjustment.
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Adjustments can only be disputed 90 days from the delivery date.
DHL Express adjustments are assessed by DHL Express and then either added to or subtracted from your Stamps.com account balance.
If you are certain you entered the correct values, you may dispute the adjustments.
To get the information you'll need to provide to Stamps.com:
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Click the Adjustment in the transaction report.
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Copy the tracking number and make note of the associated ship date.
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Repeat Step 2 for each shipment with an adjustment you wish to dispute.
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Compare the details for the shipment with the shipment record in Stamps.com.
If you feel a DHL Express adjustment may have been made in error, please contact our Customer Care team within 90 days of billing.
Important Details about Disputing Adjustments
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A negative balance must be resolved before creating more labels. If the adjustment has resulted in a negative postage balance, you will not be able to create labels in Stamps.com until you add funds to your balance.
If refunds are due to your account, they will be applied automatically to your Stamps.com Balance.
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Support agents may ask for photographic proof to dispute the adjustment.
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Adjustments can only be disputed 90 days from the delivery date.