Priority Mail® International Small Flat-Rate Box

[Ragenther]

Hello,

I am getting wrong shipping totals from the USPS Shipping Module.
When I calculate shipping on the USPS website for a small flat rate box under 4 pounds, I get 6 - 10 days at $12.95. When I check shipping rates in zencart, with all usps international choices checked, the lowest price I get is $31.75 (Priority Mail International(6-10 days)). The calculation weight is 1.3 pounds so the priority mail international small flat-rate box should apply.

I have chosen the united kingdom as my test destination.
My tare weight setting is 5:1, so only a pound is added to the weight.

I don't see where to go with this, I hope someone has encountered and has an answer.

Thank you for your help, in advance . . .

[Ragenther]

Perhaps I should have included the URL: www.johnsonmagicproducts.com

The shipping origin is California.
The shipping destination I am using is
United Kingdom
London
WSC4

[wrongdave]

I'm new to Zen Cart so I can't give you a firm answer, but I also use both the flat-rate boxes and the flat-rate envelopes for international shipments and I didn't even consider playing with the USPS shipping module because I suspected there would be problems with these. Primarily, the shipping module would need to know if the shipment would actually fit (it's not just a weight issue) before it could present this option to the customer. I just didn't expect it would have the logic to do this (especially since I don't have a way of telling it how big the stuff is).
So maybe someone else can provide you with a workable solution, but my guess is this is going to be problematic. My plan is to set up the zone rate module for these types of shipments.

[Ajeh]

Tare of 5:1 will calculate 1 lb to be 2.05 lbs ...

[Ragenther]

I understand that calculation but it still doesn't address the usps shipping not allowing for the small flat rate box which allows up to 4 pounds for about 13.00 to europe. My installed usps module calculates the lowest shipping cost at about 32.00, that is a really big difference.

Thanks for you help . .

[Ajeh]

1 lb with the Tare set to 5:1 gives the rates to the UK of:

United States Postal Service (1 x 2.05lbs) United States Postal Service
Global Express Guaranteed (1 - 3 days) $77.50
Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Rectangular (1 - 3 days) $77.50
Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Non-Rectangular (1 - 3 days) $77.50
Express Mail International (EMS) (5 days) $41.50
Express Mail International (EMS) Flat-Rate Envelope (5 days) $27.95
Priority Mail International (6 - 10 days) $33.00
Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope (6 - 10 days) $12.95
First Class Mail International Large Envelope (Varies) $18.35
First Class Mail International Package (Varies) $18.55

1 lb with the Tare set to 0:0 gives the rates to the UK of:

United States Postal Service (1 x 1.00lbs) United States Postal Service
Global Express Guaranteed (1 - 3 days) $59.00
Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Rectangular (1 - 3 days) $59.00
Global Express Guaranteed Non-Document Non-Rectangular (1 - 3 days) $59.00
Express Mail International (EMS) (5 days) $32.50
Express Mail International (EMS) Flat-Rate Envelope (5 days) $27.95
Priority Mail International (6 - 10 days) $26.50
Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope (6 - 10 days) $12.95
First Class Mail International Large Envelope (Varies) $10.10
First Class Mail International Package (Varies) $10.30

USPS site for 1lb to the UK gives:

Method Post office quote Online Quote
Express Mail® International 5 Days $32.50 $29.90
Priority Mail® International 6 - 10 Days $26.50 $25.18
Priority Mail® International Large Flat-Rate Box 6 - 10 Days $53.95 $51.25
Priority Mail® International Regular Flat-Rate Boxes 6 - 10 Days $41.95 $39.85
Priority Mail® International Small Flat-Rate Box 6 - 10 Days $12.95 $12.30
First-Class Mail® International Package* Varies $10.30

Are you sure the Tare that is raising the quote of 1lb to 2.5lbs is not altering your rates?

Also check the setting on Machinable ...

[Merlinpa1969]

does the API even allow for the flat rate shipping boxes....

think about this IF it were to display then the client will AUTOMATICALLY choose the flat rate box even if their stuff wont FIT in the box


at usps.com you can choose this since you are the shipper and KNOW if it will fit......

[Ragenther]

Almost All of our items will fit into the flat-rate box, even if they order multiple products. The products are machined magic coins. The small box would almost always be the best choice, unless the order is very large.
Here are the international choices the usps module gives me:
Global Express
Global Express Non-Doc Rect
Global Express Non-Doc Non-Rect
Express Mail Int
Express Mail Int Flat Rate Env
Priority Mail International
Priority Mail Int Flat Rate Env
Priority Mail Int Flat Rate Box
First-Class Mail Int

Have checked ONLY:
Priority Mail Int Flat Rate Box

The product weighs .3lbs
The tare is set to 0:0
Machinable is set to true

The 'Estimate Shipping Cost' returns nothing for USPS.
country: United Kingdom
London
post code: w1

UPS shows the usual outrageous cost but nothing from USPS.

I'm confused . . . .

[Merlinpa1969]

IF all your products will fit into this then why not setup a flat rate with zones for your shipping

[Ragenther]

I guess the key here is almost. . . we do have two products that could push the weight and One of them(the cups) will not fit in the small box, Also there is the possibility that multiple items ordered would put the weight over the small box limit. Since there are two flat rate boxes (small and larger) I would have hoped that the weight would automatically up the shipping container from small to large or even multiple boxes. But perhaps I ask too much.
I probably should add that we are shipping US customers using UPS only and International customers using USPS only . . .