Installation Steps

(NOTE: Please pay particular attention to step 3.11 below)

1. Install the module:
   Dashboard > Add Funtionality > New > coreCommerce - USPS Shipping - 1.x > Install
2. Sign up for a USPS Web Tools ID/Password (https://secure.shippingapis.com/registration/)
3. Configure the USPS Shipping Module in Concrete5
   1. Go to: Dashboard > coreCommerce > Shipping > USPS Shipping
   2. Enable the module
   3. Enter your USPS User ID (from step 2)
   4. Enter your USPS Password (from step 2)
   5. Enter the zip code you will be shipping from
   6. Select the shipping methods and package types you intend to use.
   7. Select whether you want rates computed based on product dimensions or by weight. You will generally get more accurate results if you select "yes", but you must enter product dimensions for all products in your catalog.
   8. Select whether your packages are machinable.  Your shipping rates will be lower if your packages are machinable, but they must meet certain requirements.  For information about machinability stamps.com provides a good overview. If you're unsure whether your packages are machinable, you may still choose "Yes"; the USPS Shipping module will use the product information available to make a best guess as to whether your packages meet the requirements.
   9. Enter the dimensions for the largest box you use.  If you enter a value in these fields the USPS Shipping module will attempt package smaller items into these "big boxes" to find a lower rate.  If you do not enter a maximum box size, the module will assume you will be shipping all products separately.
   10. Enter handling any handling fees/surcharges you want.
   11. Choose an operation mode - testing, live (no-cache), or live. Both live modes use the normal production USPS server for computing rates.  The no-cache option is used to force the module to compute rates every time; this may be useful while setting up your site but should not be used in normal production situations. Test mode uses a special USPS test server that is only useful for one purpose:
       
       Please note that the USPS test server (used in "Test" mode only) does not work properly and cannot be used for real rate information.  This option is provided only for you to demonstrate to USPS customer service that your USPS rate requests (as performed by the USPS Shipping module) are correct.  Once you have successfully "tested" the module by retrieve a sample rate you must contact USPS customer and request that your account be switched over to the "V3 production server".  The USPS Internet Customer Care Center (ICCC) may be contacted at:
           Email: icustomercare@usps.com
           Telephone: 1-800-344-7779 (7:00AM to 11:00PM EST)
       
       Please note that you will not be able to use the USPS Shipping module in "Live" mode until your account has been switched over to the production servers. In the past USPS required that one "test" request be completed successfully before switching your account over.  They appear to have relaxed that requirement and will switch any account upon request.  It is suggested that upon creating your account you immediately call or email to have your account switched over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I get "Shipping is Unavailable" when I check out.  What's wrong?
A: There are several things that can cause this problem:

1. You don't have the USPS shipping method enabled.
2. You have entered your USPS account or password incorrectly.
3. You have selected to ship to only certain countries and the destination country is not in that list.
4. USPS does not offer a shipping method using the address or parameters provided (e.g. the products ordered are all very heavy, but you only offer next day air shipping).
5. You have configured the module to use product dimensions to compute rates, but the values you entered for the maximum box dimensions are too large.  The module computes an average weight based on the size of the maximum box dimensions. Different USPS shipping services allow different maximum package weights.  If the dimensions you entered are for a very large package, the estimated weight may be greater than the maximum weight USPS allows.  You can check to see if this is the case by looking in the Concrete5 logs (Dashboard > Reports > Logs) for an error message to this effect.
6. Some other error is occuring.  Check the Concrete5 logs (Dashboard > Reports > Logs) for more information.

Q: I want the USPS module to compute costs using product dimensions, but I don't have a "maximum box size". What should I enter?
A: You can leave the maximum box size field blank (or set to 0).  In this case the module will ask USPS to compute the rate for each package independently.

Q: Why am I getting the same shipping rates after I enable or disable shipping methods or after I change some of the other shipping options?
A: The coreCommerce package requests shipping rating information from the USPS module several times during the checkout process. Since the module must retrieve this information from USPS and this request can take a few seconds each time, the rate information is cached.  There are three ways to force the USPS module to recompute the rates and services:

1. Set the Test mode to "Live (No-Cache)".
2. Update your order. The USPS module will refetch the rate information if the order number changes or the items in the cart change.
3. Delete your browser cookies.

Q: What doesn't the USPS Shipping module support?
A: The USPS Shipping module has the following limitations:

• Irregular shaped parcels are not supported
• Variable size containers are not supported
• The international matter for the blind rate is not supported
• Library rate is not supported
• Large and oversize packages with priority and parcel rates are only supported if shipping by size (dimensions for each product are required)
• The core eCommerce package does not provide any way of identifying products as "bound printed matter" or "media".  The USPS Shipping module, therefore, is unable to determine when these rates may or may not apply. These shipping methods should only be allowed if all of the products in your catalog meet the appropriate criteria.
• The core eCommerce package only allows one shipping method per order, therefore all packages in an order must ship with the same service.
• Add on services like insurance, return receipt, certified mail, etc. are not supported.
• There is a limit of 25 packages per order. (Multiple quantities of the same product count as one).