USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

[emione]

I currently use the USPS Online Rate Calculation (Domestic & International) v4.2401 that came with my version of Miva. I received a generic type notice today from USPS about their rate changes, dimensional weight, new API, etc.

Does anyone know if I have to update to a new module?
Is there a new module available that works with the new API?
Or do I really have to make any changes at all?

FYI: most of my packages wiegh about 2 pounds, a few may be up to 4 pounds, and I offer Priority, Express, and Global Priority & Express.

Thanks for any replies.

[klassic]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

I would suggest the module from Viking Coders. USPS Advanced. It offers both domestic and international and it connects directly with USPS website to get rates. It also has loads of other features.

I am not sure about the stock USPS Module.

[d_host]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

FYI: most of my packages wiegh about 2 pounds, a few may be up to 4 pounds, and I offer Priority, Express, and Global Priority & Express.

Based on this bit of info alone, and assuming you use just standard size boxes (nothing oddly shaped and in unusual packaging), I don't think these USPS changes will affect you at all. My understanding of the changes is that it will mostly affect only items shipped using dimensional weight and/or large parcels, not your common 2-4 pound items in standard size boxes.

[klassic]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

Rates are changing for packages. There are rate increases at all the lower weight levels. Priority mail rates for about 11 pounds and higher are actually decreasing.

[Mototyme]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

I don't think anyone has answered the question. Is there an upgrade required to be compatible with the new USPS API? The new changes impact domestic and international shipments.

[Jpthings]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

We also would like to know if Miva is planning to release an update for the USPS shipping calculator We have items that would fall into the dimensional weight rate.

Bear :-)

[aimcmc]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

We too are in the same boat. Since not only are the rates changing but the methods are too (all Global types are obsolete with foreign being more compatible with domestic), it appears the shipping module would have to change so we can make the proper shipping type selections - or else how else will the api interface correctly with the USPS site? I don't know, and we are concerned. We will have a loss in revenue that we can not afford.

We have contacted our host - they gave us the runaround, first saying that they doubt miva will have a fix, then saying the ups module gets the data (which we know does not) and finally saying, it's our responsiblity to contact the post office to find out if miva is compatible? Has anyone done this?? It's rediculous.

Who's responsible? The software publisher? Their seller, our host? Us? It's very confusing and concerning. Our other vendors have already fixed this for us. What's going on with this one? Do we have a problem or don't we?

We dont' need another shipping module, we just need this one fixed. Or, is our only answer that we MUST buy another module? If so, is it fixed? Or do we even neeed a fix? Anyone? Thank You?

[aimcmc]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

I recently posted a messages about this issue. It has not appeared cause I assume it has not yet been released by the moderator -- anyway, I've been looking around and see there is other discussion about this in another forum (News), so I guess I jumped the gun. Should have come here in the first place and not to our host. Would have saved a lot of time. Live and Learn. It appears Miva IS on top of it. Thanks.

[aimcmc]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

ooops, I take that back. Now that I look further, it seems that the news is about the Viking Advance shipping module, not the miva shipping module. So, we are still in limbo - although it appears that we at least have a solution by purchasing the advanced module.

[aimcmc]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

Got another response from our host. They say...

"According to USPS the change taking place in May will not break any stores or prevent rates from loading. They said nothing has to be changed on the store or with any shipping modules. All the urls are unchanged.

The only thing that they said could break something is if the store is specifically look for a rate for "Global Priority" which will no longer exist and has been changed to "First Class Mail International"."

My reply ...

AH, now we are getting somewhere!! That's exatly my point. It's exactly what the problem is. There is no "First Class Mail International" selection. It doesn't exist.

The only things that exist are

USPS Global Economy Parcel Post -- That's going away
USPS Global Express Guaranteed -- That's going away
USPS Global Airmail Parcel Post -- That's going away.
USPS Global Express Mail - That's going away.
USPS Global Priority Mail - That's going away.

With all the Global's being obsoleted, there is no selection for Foreign shipments. And, as they say, that could break something - the problem is that the "something" is our company. We need a way to ship foreign USPS. The miva shipping module does not accomodate any of the new foreign shipping types - only the old Global types -- and they are all going away.

At least now it appears that Viking is on top of this. We'll order there module if need be.

[Jpthings]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

Hi All,

Besides larger packages, the new rates also affect the international shipping as they changed around the different classes of mail. I hate the thought of having to buy a module to achieve this. While I have had some positive with Miva, I am rethinking it as you need so many add ons to accomplish simple task. Kind of like give you the cow, then you need to hire someone to milk her, pay for a glass then you get to enjoy the milk. And does anyone know for sure if the Viking Module will work with the new USPS set up.

Bear :-)

[Viking Coders]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

USPS Advanced will have support for the renamed international methods, dimensional weights, the three types of First Class and, of course, the new rates.

We don't want to lose our reputations as the milk sheikhs, afterall. :D

[Jpthings]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

Thank You for the reply, I guess this is something I probably will have to purchase in the near future.

JP Things

[aimcmc]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

Well the deadline is lurking just around the corner. What's up Miva? Are you going to support your customers with an updated shipping module. Does your support end with the sale? If in fact that is the Miva business model, in my humble opinion, this is sad. On the other hand, we're very pleased and supportive of 3rd party developers - Thank you.

[Photobackpacker]

Re: USPS Online Rate Calculation, New API & Rates

I ship cases, backpacks and other lightweight products and went through this when UPS shifted to dimensional weights for any of their expedited services. I have used USPS for all international services and this deadline is 6 days away.

To give you an example - a 4 pound package shipped to the UK for %35.82 with the dimensions 20X12X7 will cost $59.00

This is a serious issue as the unbilled extra will hurt.