1. Introduction to USPS Return Label
USPS Return Label is provided by the postal service branch of the United States federal government, the United States Postal Service, or the USPS for short. Globally renowned for its shipping operations that are trustworthy and affordable, USPS Click-N-Ship dons the mantle of all things associated with package returns, including the USPS return label.
Accompanying the e-commerce boom is the proportionate surge of returned merchandise, especially in the electronic and apparel category. With the traditional touch-try-purchase mode tossed out the window, customers rely on the seductive promise of free returns more heavily than on product reviews.
Regardless of whether the returned goods are undamaged and restockable, which only the inspection team can deem, everything in this conversation around returns points heavily to the fact that businesses must bear the cost of return shipping to ensure they do not lose the customer.
USPS offers several eCommerce return options to online businesses to enhance this leg of customer experience under a variety of shipping modes. Plugged in with the option of choosing the most convenient method to process return labels by the original shipper, or the returner, USPS works with well-considered services rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
2. What is a USPS Return Label?
A USPS Return Label is a sticker containing information pertinent to the return of the package such as a trackable barcode, destination address and contact details as well any other information that the carrier would require to identify the drop off point or warehouse.
USPS Return labels show the customer’s address under the From tab and the seller’s address under the To tab, in addition to postage as and where applicable.
3. How does a USPS Return Label work?
The rise in e-commerce sales is accompanied by a rise in online returns. With a return rate upwards of 30%, it is only logical that businesses look to streamlining their reverse logistics process.
Through USPS return labels, businesses can identify and categorize return shipments and plan the various steps to restock, repack or discard such as quality checks and inspections.
Inaccurate data and misinformation can lead to delayed and missing shipments. This is where USPS return labels step in to save the day.
Packed with accurate information, USPS return labels ease the flow of reverse logistics and stock moving for businesses.
The data on the USPS return labels can be read by scanner machines as well as humans and makes for convenient logistics operations. While the barcodes work well with automated systems in the shipping process, the handling and delivery process is just as easy with readable data
As with inbound shipments, the trackable barcodes on USPS Return Labels enable tracking while the package is in transit. This means that a package can be spotted via transit logs on its journey back to the sender. This enables businesses to offer partial or complete refunds before the shipment reaches them.
4. How can you use USPS Return Labels?
While the simplest way for a business to improve customer experience is by including an USPS return label in the package to make the return process easier for the customer, USPS also ensures that by simplifying the return label generation at their end, the customer doesn’t carry the weight of this often tedious task on their shoulders.
4.1) USPS Return Label Included
As a business, you can choose to add a prepaid USPS return label in the original shipping box, so all the customer has to do is stick it on the package and schedule a return pick-up with you or your website.
4.2) Integrated Templates
As a business, you can also choose to integrate a USPS return label tool on your website for easy processing of the return labels by the customer.
4.3) Generate with Printer Access
You can enable your customer to generate a return label by logging on to the USPS website and entering the details that they can then print on their home or work computer.
4.4) Generate without Printer Access
In case your customer doesn’t have access to a printer, they can generate and save their return label through the USPS Click-N-Ship web page. They can take the electronic version of what is termed the USPS Label Broker ID along with their shipment to the Post Office. Here, the QR code on the ID will be scanned to print the return label for the customer.
5. What services facilitate the need for USPS return labels?
With pricing calculated across two broad objectives - speed vs. affordability, USPS offers a range of services to facilitate easy returns for high volume shippers as well as businesses with high return volumes.
5.1) Priority Mail Return Service
With the power of value and speed, this affordable yet fast premium service is ideal for expensive or time-sensitive items.
This mode is perfect for shippers who operate with high volumes and include prepaid return labels in their packages.
5.2) First Class Package Return Service- Commercial
This service is apt for shippers who deal in lightweight merchandise or documents in high volumes.
Predominantly transported by ground, USPS developed this service for goods that weigh less than 16 ounces.
5.3) Ground Return Service
Another service that focuses on high-volume shippers, the Ground Return Service places importance on low prices over speed.
This means that businesses can opt to transport their merchandise returns when the shipping cost is low.
5.4) Bulk Parcel Return Service
This service is great for businesses with high return volumes exceeding 10,000 packages per year.
It is the perfect solution for sealed packages that are both refused or undeliverable, as well as those that are resealed and relabeled.
5.5) Parcel Return Service
Another service for businesses with high return volumes, this mode offers preprinted, prepaid return labels as per USPS specs.
This means that customers can return goods to the merchants without the burden of a postage fee.
6. Conclusion
Regardless of the size or kind of products, offering easy returns through USPS return labels is a surefire way of holding on to your customer and increasing customer loyalty. With tech-aided streamlined processes, USPS’s dedicated services focussing on return shipping is a great kit for businesses to buckle on as a part of their core logistics operations.
7. FAQ
1) Where can I print the USPS return label?
USPS Return Labels can be printed at the Post Offices. You can also choose to print them yourself using the USPS return label tools on the USPS website under USPS Click-N-Ship.
2) What is a Prepaid USPS return label ?
A prepaid USPS return label includes paid postage as well as the return address and contact information in text and barcode format.
3) Can I create a return label on USPS ?
USPS Click-N-Ship allows you to create prepaid USPS return labels for your packages on the USPS Website with the USPS Label Broker tool.
4) Are USPS return labels free?
While USPS return labels are not free, the cost of returns is solely in your hands as you can choose the most economical mode of shipping offered and you hold control of the entire return process. A USPS return shipping label will cost you only if used.