Stamps.com

Account Numbers and Services

When you add a new Stamps.com carrier account (Add Carrier > Carrier > Stamps), Parcel displays the screen to enter the Stamps.com account number. On this screen, you can also select the Stamps.com services with which you will ship packages from this location.

To configure the Stamps.com Account Number and Services, complete these steps...

  1. In the Account Number field, type the Stamps.com Account Number for this location.

  2. In Carrier Code field, type a name for the carrier as Stamps.com - you want it to appear on the Web Admin (Configuration) Tool screens and on the shipping screens in Parcel.

  3. In the Services section, select the services that you will use to ship Stamps.com packages from this location by selecting the service, and then click ADD to move the selected service from the left-hand column to the right-hand column. To select and move all of the services at once, click ADD ALL.

You can also use the Move Up and Move Down (up arrow and down arrow) on the right to change the order of the services in the list of following services. Services appear in the configured order on the Services drop-down list on the Warehouse screen.

Services:

  • USPS Parcel Select

  • USPS First Class Mail International

  • USPS Express Mail International

  • USPS Priority Mail

  • USPS Media Mail

  • USPS First-Class Mail

  • USPS Express Mail

  • USPS Critical Mail

4. When you are done configuring this page, click SAVE in the lower-right corner of the page to save the settings. Otherwise, click the CANCEL to cancel the settings.

Shipper Default

Overview

Use the following tabs on the Stamps.com Shipper Defaults page to configure the default information to use with this Stamps.com account.

  • SWS / IM Tab

  • Defaults Tab

  • Rating Tab

  • Label Tab

SWS/IM Tab

Use the SWS/IM tab on the Stamps.com Shipper Defaults page to enter settings related to time-in-transit for this Stamps.com account.

Web Service

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Username

To specify the Stamps.com SWS Username.

Password

To specify the Stamps.com SWS Password

Web Service Retry Count

To specify the Stamps.com SWS retry count
From the drop-down list, select the Stamps.com SWS retry count:

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • 4

  • 5

Sample Only

Select (check) the check box to generate a sample label without real value.This option is to be used during the testing phase of an integration. It will fully exercise the SWS system, but will not deduct any postage from the meter.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Minimum Postage Warning Threshold

When available postage is below this amount then a warning message will be returned.


Cleanse Address

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Cleanse Address Option

To specify what level of address corrections will be applied based on data returned from the web service. The valid values are:

  • Full Address

  • City State Zip Only

  • None


International Forms/Labels

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Request labels

Select (check) the check box to indicate whether labels should be requested rather than paper forms for international shipments.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Print multi-part docs as paper forms

Select (check) the check box to indicate whether multi-part international docs should be printed as forms.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Suppress Instructions

Select (check) the check box to indicate whether the instructions are printed.
Note: By default, this option is not selected


Click SAVE in the lower-right corner of the screen to save any changes you made or click CANCEL to cancel changes and revert to original values.


Note: For information on configuring Time in Transit calculations, see the following Help topics in the related sections on Compliance Configuration:

Defaults Tab

Use the Defaults tab on the Stamps.com Shipper Defaults page to enter default values for use with this Stamps.com account.
Unless otherwise notes, all settings apply only to this Stamps.com account at this location.
General section

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Currency Code

Type the three-character code for the currency; for example, CAD for Canadian Dollar.

Click SAVE in the lower-right corner of the screen to save any changes you made or click CANCEL to revert to previous values.


Rating Tab

Use the Defaults tab on the Stamps.com Shipper Defaults page to enter default values for use with this Stamps.com account.
Unless otherwise notes, all settings apply only to this Stamps.com account at this location.
List Rates

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List Rates?

To specify whether list rates should be calculated. By default list rate will be stored in the CALCFREIGHT_LIST API key.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Swap list \ custom rates?

To specify that the list rates should populate the CALCFREIGHT and TOTAL_FREIGHT keys. If yes then custom rates will be stored in the CALCFREIGHT_CUSTOM API key.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Defaults

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Validate Rate Requests

To specify the Validate Rate Requests.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Click SAVE in the lower-right corner of the screen to save any changes you made or click CANCEL to revert to previous values.


Label Tab

Use the Defaults tab on the Stamps.com Shipper Defaults page to enter default values for use with this Stamps.com account.
Unless otherwise notes, all settings apply only to this Stamps.com account at this location.

Memo section

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Suppress Memo Lines

Select (check) the check box to indicate whether the memo is printed on label.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Memo 1 Prefix

To specify the prefix used for memo 1.

Memo 2 Prefix

To specify the prefix used for memo 2.


Defaults section

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Hidden Postage

Select (check) the check box to indicates whether to hide the postage on the shipping label.
Note: By default, this option is not selected.

Click SAVE in the lower-right corner of the screen to save any changes you made or click CANCEL to revert to previous values.


Manage UI Element

Add, Edit, or Delete a UI Element Value

Note: We can use the this feature, but it should not effect the registration process.

  • You can use the Manage UI Elements feature to accomplish the following tasks:

  • Edit existing default values for a UI Stamps.com element.

  • Add a new default value for a UI Stamps.com element and specify an effective date for this value.

  • Import a file with default values for a UI Stamps.com element together with effective dates for these values.

  • Delete existing default values from a UI Stamps.com element.

  • Restore the original default value for a Stamps.com element


Accessing the Edit UI Element Values screen

To access the Edit UI Elements Values screen for a UI Stamps.com element...

  1. In the left pane of the Parcel Web Admin tool under the Stamps.com carrier, click the Manage UI Elements link to display the set of available UI Stamps.com elements, as shown in the following example:

images/download/attachments/290514920/worddavf636541b55a1f2eb5cc516eda3a40f1d.png

  1. Double click the UI Stamps.com element you want to edit to display the Edit screen with the values for this element, as shown in the following example:

images/download/attachments/290514920/worddav78b93de1116ca4d2ee9943497777133b.png
Note: You cannot edit the Source field, which refers to the function of the element. When creating a new value, this field is also non-editable.

Editing an Existing Value

To edit a default value for a UI Stamps.com element...

  1. On the Edit UI Element Values screen, click the filter to activate the data row(s) for editing.

  2. Double click the row with the value you want to edit to make the fields editable.

  3. Carry out one or a combination of the following tasks:

  • To change the Effective Date for the value, click the calendar , and then select the new date.

  • To change the value, type in the new value.

  • If desired, update the comment.

Note: If the data type is Checkbox, a checkbox is displayed in the Value column. You can select or clear (deselect) this check box to indicate the default value.

  1. Click Save Changes to save your changes.

Creating a New Default Value
To create a new default value with an effective date...

  1. On the Edit UI Element Values screen, click Create to display a blank row.

  2. Carry out the following tasks:

  • To enter the Effective Date for the value, click the calendar , and then select the date. (This field is required.)

  • Type in the value. (This field is required.)

  • If desired, include a comment. (This field can be left blank).

  1. Click Save Changes to save your changes.

Deleting a Value
To delete a value...

  1. On the Edit UI Element Values screen, click the filter to activate the data row(s).

  2. Select the row with the value you want to delete, and then click Delete.

  3. Click Save Changes to save your changes.

Restoring a value
To restore a value to the original default:

  1. On the Edit UI Element Values screen, click the filter

    images/download/attachments/290514920/worddav00eef166133d3cfeef637b9874ff924b.png

    to activate the data row(s).

  2. Select the row with the default value you want to restore, and then click Revert to Carrier Default Value.

Note: This action restores the value and effective date (and any comment) to the data that were entered for this UI element when the carrier was defined in Stamps.com.

  1. Click Save Changes to save your changes.

Sequence Data

Sequence numbers created for a Stamps.com carrier definition translate into a Sequence Data link and screen when in the Parcel carrier instance. The Sequence Data screen includes a tab for each sequence number created in Stamps.com, as shown in the following example:
images/download/attachments/290514920/worddava7d778253d5f11b8a57e134f8c41eb60.png
Sequence numbers are used with both tracking numbers and EOD manifests. After you add the carrier to Parcel, you can use this screen to configure the sequence numbers.


Note: There is a corresponding tab on the Parcel Stamps.com carrier Sequence Data screen for each sequence number created for the carrier definition in Stamps.com. The only default values set in Stamps.com are the sequence number length and the amount by which a sequence number is increment. Use the tabs on this screen to set the actual values for the sequence numbers and ranges.


To configure sequence numbers...

  1. In Parcel, under the Stamps.com carrier, select the Sequence Data link.

  2. Configure the data for each sequence number as described in the following table:

    In this box...

    Enter the following information....

    Current value

    Next value to be assigned from this sequence number.

    Sequence range start

    Beginning of the range of numbers this sequence number will generate.

    Sequence range end

    End of the range of numbers this sequence number will generate.

    Rollover range start

    Beginning of the rollover range.

    Rollover range end

    End of the rollover range.

  3. Click SAVE or click CANCEL to cancel the operation.

Geographic Codes

You can use the Geographic Codes screen to add, edit, and delete values for Geographic Codes associated with a Stamps.com carrier. See the following procedure.


Note: Geographic codes can be added when defining a Stamps.com carrier, and these geographic codes can be used when the carrier is added to a Parcel location. However, geographic codes included in a Stamps.com carrier definition are not displayed on the Geographic Codes screen in the Parcel Web Admin tool.


To add a geographic code....

  1. In the Parcel Web Admin tool under the Stamps.com carrier, click the Geographic Code link to display the Add Geographic Code screen, and then click the plus images/download/attachments/290514920/worddav664433e33aca3cac75f82617241d9c65.png to display the screen for adding a geographic code:

  2. Enter values for the following fields:

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    Geocode

    Enter the geographic code; for example, METFRADEU for Metropolitan Frankfurt, Germany.

    Description

    Enter the geographic code description; for example: "Metropolitan Frankfurt, Germany" (without quotation marks).

    Country

    From the drop-list, select the country for which the geographic code applies; for example: Germany

    Region

    Enter the state, province, or other region containing the postal code range; for example: Hesse
    Note: Use the form that is applicable to Parcel for this Stamps.com carrier. This may be a state/province code or the state, province, or other region spelled out.

    City

    Enter the name of the city; for example: Frankfurt or Frankfurt am Mein.
    Note: Use the form that is applicable to Parcel for this Stamps.com carrier. It is important that this entry be spelled in exactly the form that Parcel recognizes.

    Postal Low

    Enter the lowest postal code for the area included in the geographic code; for example: 60001

    Postal High

    Enter the highest postal code for the area included in the geographic code; for example: 60599

  3. Click Save Changes to save your changes or click x to exit the screen without saving.

To edit, delete, or filter geographic codes...

  • To edit a row of geographic code data, select the row, and then click the pencil to display the editing screen. Fields are identical to the Add Geographic Code screen show in the previous illustration. Make any required changes, and then click Save Changes to save your changes or click Cancel to exit the screen without saving.

  • To delete a row of geographic code data, select the row, and then click the Delete . Note that no confirm dialog is displayed and there is no undo for this operation.

  • To filter a list of geographic codes, enter a filter criterion in the row with the filter , and then click the filter . For example, to filter by date, enter or select the date to filter by, and then click the filter

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    .

Transit Days

You can use the Transit Days screen to add, edit, and delete the Transit Days associated with a Stamps.com carrier. See the following procedure.


Add Transit Days
To add services and geographic codes for transit time calculations...

  1. Click the Transit Days link under the Stamps.com carrier, and then click the plus to display the Add Record screen for entering transit days (shown in the following illustration with the defaults for the Geocode and Service fields):

  2. Enter the following values:

  3. From the Geocode drop-down list, select the geographic code for which you want to specify transit time or leave the default All Geocodes to apply the transit days to all geographic codes.

  4. From the Service drop-down list, select the service for which you want to specify transit time or leave the default All Services.

  5. In the Transit Days field, enter a whole number for the number of transit days to associate with the geocode(s) and service(s) specified in steps 2a and 2b; for example: 2

  6. In the Transit Time field, enter a time in the form HH:MM.

  7. If Saturday Delivery is allowed with this service for this geographic code, select the Saturday Delivery check box.

  8. To add two days to the delivery date if Saturday and Sunday are not counted as transit days, select the Add Weekend Transit check box.

  9. Click Save Changes to add this record to the table on the Transit Days screen or click x to exit without saving.

Edit, Delete, or Filter Transit Days

  • To edit a row of Stamps.com carrier transit days, select the row with the data, and then click the pencil to display the editing screen. Fields are identical to the Add screens show in the previous illustrations. Make any required changes, and then click Save Changes to save your changes or click Cancel to exit the screen without saving.

  • To delete a row of transit days, select the row, and then click the Delete . Note that no confirm dialog is displayed and there is no undo for this operation.

  • To filter a list of transit days, enter a filter criterion in the row with the filter , and then click the filter . For example, to filter by date, enter or select the date to filter by, and then click the filter.

Holidays

You can use the Holidays screen to add, edit, and delete the Holidays associated with a Stamps.com carrier. See the following procedure.


Add Holidays
To add a holiday with transit time option for a Stamps.com carrier service...

  1. Click the Holidays link under a Stamps.com carrier that supports this option, and then click the plus to display the Add Record screen for entering transit days for services and Geographic codes:

  2. Enter the following values:

  3. From the Service drop-down list, select the service for which you want to specify a holiday or leave the default All Services.

  4. From the Country drop-down list, select the country for which you want to specify a holiday or leave the default All Countries.

  5. In the Region field, optionally enter the state, province, or equivalent region within the selected country (or leave blank if you selected All Countries for the previous value).

  6. In the Description field, optionally enter a description of the holiday.

  7. In the Date field, select the month, date, and year from these respective drop-down lists or click the calendar and select a date.

  8. If delivery on this holiday is allowed for this service and country, select the Allow Delivery check box.

  9. To add one day to the delivery date if the holiday is not counted as a transit day, select the Add Transit check box.

  10. Click Save Changes to add this record to the table on the Holidays screen or click x to exit without saving.


Edit, Delete, or Filter Holidays

  • To edit a row of Stamps.com carrier holidays data, select the row with the data, and then click the pencil to display the editing screen. Fields are identical to the Add screens show in the previous illustrations. Make any required changes, and then click Save Changes to save your changes or click Cancel to exit the screen without saving.

  • To delete a row of holidays data, select the row, and then click the Delete . Note that no confirm dialog is displayed and there is no undo for this operation.

  • To filter a list of holidays, enter a filter criterion in the row with the filter , and then click the filter . For example, to filter by date, enter or select the date to filter by, and then click the filter.

Import TinT Files

Transit time calculations for Stamps.com require user-maintained transit time data. You can import this data into the Parcel carrier database using the Import Time in Transit Files screen.This feature also includes the capability for the user optionally to import and maintain Work Days and carrier Holidays at the destination level for the Time in Transit calculation to include when calculating an expected delivery date.
You must create and maintain the following Time in Transit for data import:

  • Geographical information (origin/destination cities, postal codes, etc.) - Required for first import.

  • Time in transit data based on carrier service and destination - Always required.

  • Holiday file containing information about destination holidays - Optional

  • Weekend file containing information about the days the carrier operates - Optional

When you import these files, Parcel inserts the data from these files into the Stamps.com carrier database.

Notes:

  • Since the US Post Office (USPS) does not guarantee delivery dates or times, time in transit calculations for carriers such as Stamps.com are based on user estimate of typical delivery times for specific services and routes.

  • All files that you import must be located on a local drive of the DIServer. The absolute path that you specify according to the following table represents the file location on the DIServer.

  • This data does not come from Stamps.com and must be specified by the customer.

Import Time in Transit Files
Use the Import Time in Transit screen to import the following data files for transit times and locations (origins and destination (required files are in bold).

To import Time in Transit files:

  1. Create the Time in Transmit files (see the following section for file format information), and then copy these files to a directory local to the Parcel DIServer.

  2. Use the Import Time in Transit screen in the Parcel Configuration (Web Admin) tool to specify the path names and filenames for these files according to the following table:

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    Geographic Data File (Provide absolute Path)

    Type in or paste in the absolute local path for this file on the Parcel DIServer, including the filename.
    Note: This file is required the first time you import the set of Time in Transit files but is optional on subsequent file imports.

    Time in Transit File (Provide absolute Path)

    Type in or paste in the absolute local path for this file on the Parcel DIServer, including the filename.

    Holiday File (Provide absolute Path)

    Optionally, to include carrier holidays in Parcel's time in transit calculation, type in or paste in the absolute local path for this file on the Parcel DIServer, including the filename.

    Weekend File (Provide absolute Path)

    Optionally, to include carrier weekend days in Parcel's time in transit calculation, type in or paste in the absolute local path for this file on the Parcel DIServer, including the filename.

    Format for Time in Transit Files
    The time in transit files that you import (see previous section) must be comma-delimited CSV files of which the first row consists of the column (field) names listed in the following table. Subsequent rows contain comma-delimited data corresponding to the column names.
    Notes:

  • You can copy and paste the following column name strings directly into the CSV file.

  • The values in the Geo Code fields can be arbitrarily defined, but since this column serves as the primary key, they must follow the same convention in all the files.

  • The Origin and Destination address data for a shipment must be identical to the corresponding data in the Geographic Data file (Address <n>, City, State).

  • The values for Transit Days and Transit Time are those estimated for the route defined by the Origin Geo Code and Destination Geo Core.

  • The values for the day columns in the Weekend file are: "y" (without quotation marks) if the day is a weekend day and "n" (without quotation marks) if it is not a weekend day.

    File Type

    Required column names

    Geographic Data File

    Address 1,Address 2,Address 3,City,State,Country,Low Postal Code,High Postal Code,Geo Code,Geo Code Description,Record Type

    Time in Transit File

    ServiceId,Origin Geo Code,Destination Geo Code,Transit Days, Transit Time(HH24:MM:DD)

    Holiday File

    Destination Geo Code,Holiday Date(YYYYMMDD),Holiday Description

    Weekend File

    Destination Geo Code,Sunday, Saturday