Shipping using my own label (2024)

FAQs

Can I use my own shipping label? ›

Can I handwrite a shipping label? You can handwrite the shipping address (as long as it's eligible), but you will still need a carrier barcode, which needs to be generated by the carrier. Depending on the volume of orders you're fulfilling, handwriting shipping addresses can become time-consuming.

If your parcel weight is more than what is stated on the shipping label, most courier companies will issue a surcharge for the overweight package or send it back to the pick-up address.

3. Does a Shipping Label Pay for Shipping? A shipping label, as mentioned, is a printed address label with prepaid postage. As such, you will be paying for shipping, which you don't have to pay at the post office.

Select Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail boxes are available free at the Post Office for items sent using either of these services. While you are not required to use the free packaging for these services, you must use the USPS-produced address label provided by the Post Office for Priority Mail Express.

You can write the return address and mailing address for a label, but you can't write the bar-code or postage by hand.

All that you need to create and print USPS shipping labels is a computer, a printer and access to the USPS website or a service like PitneyShip®. Not only can you create and print your own USPS shipping labels online, you can also request package pickups and save yourself a trip to the post office.

It Costs Less

The rates are all fairly competitive as far as the discounts go and are still run through the USPS. The savings for printing your labels adds up and can help minimize costs for your business.

How Do I Create a Prepaid USPS Shipping Label? The quickest and easiest way to create prepaid USPS shipping labels is generally through USPS Click-N-Ship, which offers a convenient way to create USPS prepaid labels for your customers. USPS offers many mailing classes for return shipping.

Domestic packages may not weigh more than 70 pounds.

The maximum weight of international packages varies based on country. This can be determined through the Postage Calculator. Overweight charge - Any item exceeding the 70-pound weight limit is nonmailable.

What happens if I underestimate package weight? ›

Unexpected weight problems put your cargo at greater risk of damage and destruction along the way. It can also delay shipments if the cargo is reweighed along the route and found to be mismatched to what is declared. You may also risk extra fees and accessorial charges if not protected by the right liability.

The UPS incorrect weight shipping charge applies when the weight of a package is different than what you indicated at the time of shipping. UPS recommends rounding up to the next full pound when weighing your packages to avoid being charged for an incorrect weight.

The postage is linked to the label number, which is unique and also can be used only once. The label number will appear in a duplicate postage list in the Postal Service database that is monitored by the Postal Inspection Service. Intentional use of a duplicate label constitutes fraud.

Sendcloud's free Shipping Label Maker is a free tool to generate a shipping label for your business. Just fill in the origin and destination addresses, print it on an A6 (sticker) sheet and stick it to your box!

Save Money on Postage Costs

One of the biggest advantages of using a prepaid shipping label is that it can help you save money on your postage costs. This is because you will only be charged for the actual weight of your shipment rather than having to pay for additional fees such as registration or insurance.

Use the correct package label.

Make sure the label you're using matches the packaging. (For example, if you use a Priority Mail Mailing Box or Envelope, you must pay the Priority Mail rate. Also, the only way to get Priority Mail Flat Rate pricing is to use a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Mailing Box or Envelope.)

A. Yes! You can print your labels on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, or you can purchase self-adhesive labels that meet the size requirements of the label.

The address of items sent to general delivery must indicate the addressee's full legal name (see Note above) and the city and country of destination. The use of just initials, simple given names, fictitious names, or figures is not permitted on articles addressed for general delivery.

Without a clear shipping label, you cannot ship a package. Carriers need a label to identify where an item is headed and, if needed, return address information. If you attempt to ship a package without a shipping label, it will likely be discarded.