Will USPS module be OK? (Jan. 27, 2013)

[bodini]

I had a look around the forum here but didn't see much mentioned (IOW flameproof suit on if I missed it)...

Will USPS be throwing any foreseeable curveballs at us this year with a change on their side? Seems like every year when they change rates they also seem to break some code. If I remember correctly from years past, it's just a "we'll have to wait and see what breaks" scenario. I dont blame the Zen crew for that. A few days ago the post office clerk told me they had not been informed that there was going to be a rate increase, but rather a customer said they saw it on USPS.com and the clerks verified it there unofficially. What an organization!

[Limitless]

This is what I got from USPS a few days ago:

Web Tools customer;
 
On January 27, 2013, the Postal Service will update domestic pricing and mailing standards and international prices and product features. For detailed information on prices, mailing standards and new product features, please reference the Federal Register Notices and Pricing Files viewable at http://pe.usps.com/. 
 
Price Change updates will be available in the Web Tools testing environment for integrator access on or around January 14, 2013. The test environment can be accessed, using your production UserID, via the following URL scheme, host and path:
-          Secure APIs: https://stg-secure.shippingapis.com/ShippingApi.dll
-          Non-secure APIs: http://stg-production.shippingapis.com/ShippingApi.dll
 
Below is a summary of changes to each affected API. Please note that the changes below are intended to be backwards compatible, however, may not be depending on how individual programs and applications are integrated with the APIs. If you rely upon a third party developer (e.g. software or ecommerce/cart provider) for USPS products and services on your website or in your application, please direct any questions to them.
 
Domestic Rate Calculator APIs
-          RateV4
o   Updated product and extra service prices
o   Parcel Post renamed Standard Post
§  When <Service>= “ALL,” ”ONLINE,” or “PARCEL POST”, WebTools ClientServiceID="4" (MailService=“Parcel Post®”) will return as MailService=“Standard Post®”
§  New <Service> enumeration “STANDARD POST” will be available and return Standard Post single-piece postage and extra services pricing and availability
o   Delivery Confirmation renamed USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation
§  When <Revision>=”2” and <Service> is not “ALL,” ”ONLINE,” “PLUS”, WebTools SpecialService ServiceID="13" (ServiceName=“Delivery Confirmation™”) will return as ServiceName=“USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation™” 
-          RateV3
o   Updated product and extra service prices
o   Parcel Post renamed Standard Post
§  When <Service>= “ALL,” ”ONLINE,” or “PARCEL POST”, WebTools ClientServiceID="4" (MailService=“Parcel Post®”) will return as MailService=“Standard Post®”
 
Domestic Label APIs
-          Express Mail Label (ExpressMailLabel) and Hold For Pickup Express (HoldForPickupExpress)
o   Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb)
§  Presence of optional NineDigitRoutingZip tag as the final tag of the request will trigger the return of the IMpb barcode on January 27, 2013
§  The IMpb barcode will be returned in all responses effective February 24, 2013
§  For more information on the IMpb, please reference https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailpackage
-          Delivery/Signature Confirmation (DeliveryConfirmationV2, V3, V4; SignatureConfirmationV3, V4)
o   Parcel Post renamed Standard Post
§  New <ServiceType> enumeration “STANDARD POST” will be available
o   Label Image Changes:
§  Product banner text updates for rebranding of “Parcel Post” to “Standard Post”
§  Service banner text updates for rebranding of “Delivery Confirmation™” service to “USPS TRACKING #”
-          Merchandise Return Service (MerchandiseReturnV2, V3, V4)
o   Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb)
§  Response will return 30 digit IMpb barcode format as default
§  <NineDigitRoutingZip> tag (optional tag, optional value) added as the last request tag to indicate five or nine digit routing zip code (30 and 34-digit IMpb barcode).
§  New <ServiceType> enumeration “STANDARD POST” will be available
o   Label Image Changes:
§  Product banner text updates for rebranding of “Parcel Post” to “Standard Post”
 
International Rate Calculator APIs
-          IntlRateV2 and IntlRate
o   Updated product and extra service prices
o   USPS e-Delivery Confirmation International
§  New USPS e-Delivery Confirmation International extra service available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope and Small Flat Rate Box and First Class Mail International (ServiceID=”9”)
o   First-Class Mail® International Parcel name change:
§  When <MailType>= “ALL” or ”PACKAGE” , WebTools Service ID="15" (SvcDescription=“First-Class Mail® International Parcel**”) will now return as SvcDescription=“First-Class Package International Service™”
o   Extra service Restricted Delivery (ServiceID=’3’) will no longer be available for international products
o   Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes will have a four pound maximum weight
 
International Label APIs
-          Express Mail International (ExpressMailIntl)
o   <ImageParameter> tag (optional tag, optional value) added to <ImageParameters> group
§  “4BY6LABEL” added as enumeration to <ImageParameter> tag; returns 4x6 label image when used
o   Image changes:
§  4x6 label image added as an option
§  “Total Qty” field added to the label image
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  General label image text and instructions updates.
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “Postage and Fees” now “Total Postage/Fees”
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
-          Priority Mail International (PriorityMailIntl)
o   <ImageParameter> tag (optional tag, optional value) added to <ImageParameters> group
§  “4BY6LABEL” added as enumeration to <ImageParameter> tag; returns 4x6 label image when used
§  “4BY6LABEL” valid for all labels except the Flat Rate Envelope and Small Flat Rate Box
o   Extra services
§  <ExtraServices> group (optional tags, optional values) added to the end of the request schema, with repeating <ExtraService> tags as children
§  "9" added as enumeration to <ExtraService> to indicate Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International is desired
·         Valid only for requests for the Flat Rate Envelope and Small Flat Rate Box
§  <ExtraServices> group (optional tags, optional values) added to response schema, with <ExtraService> tag grouping <ServiceID>, <ServiceName> and <Price> tags as children
o   Image changes:
§  4x6 label image added as an option
§  “Total Qty” field added to the label image
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  General label image text and instructions updates:
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “Postage and Fees” now “Total Postage/Fees”
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
o   Image changes (Flat Rate Envelope and Small Flat Rate Box)
§  Country of Origin and HS Tariff Number fields added
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  General label image text and instructions updates:
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “AES/ITN/Exemption” now “AES Exemption”
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
-          First Class Mail International (FirstClassMailIntl)
o   Extra services
§  <ExtraServices> group (optional tags, optional values) added to the end of the request schema (just before new PriceOptions tag), with repeating <ExtraService> tags as children
§  "9" added as enumeration to <ExtraService> to indicate Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International is desired
§  <ExtraServices> group (optional tags, optional values) added to response schema, with <ExtraService> tag grouping <ServiceID>, <ServiceName> and <Price> tags as children
o   <PriceOptions> tag (optional tag, optional value) added to the end of the request schema
§  Valid enumerations are “RETAIL” (default), “COMMERCIAL BASE” and “COMMERCIAL PLUS”
o   Image changes:
§  Rebranding of “First-Class Mail International” to “First-Class Package International Service™” in banner and receipt text
§  Country of Origin and HS Tariff Number fields added
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  General label image text and instructions updates:
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “AES/ITN/Exemption” now “AES Exemption”
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
-          2976A Customs Form (CP72V3)
o   <ImageParameter> tag (optional tag, optional value) added to <ImageParameters> group
§  “4BY6LABEL” added as enumeration to <ImageParameter> tag; returns 4x6 label image when used
o   Image changes:
§  4x6 label image added as an option
§  “Total Qty” field added to the label image
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  General label image text and instructions updates:
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “HS tariff number” now “HS Tariff Number”
·         “Country of origin of goods” now “Country of Origin”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “Postage and Fees” now “Total Postage/Fees”
·         “Commercial sample” now “Commercial Sample”
·         “Returned goods” now “Returned Goods”
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
-          2976 Customs Form (CN22V2)
o   <CountryOfOrigin> tag (optional tag, optional value) added to the end of each <ItemDetail> group
o   Image changes:
§  “Country of Origin” field added
§  <FromPhone> value returned in From Address section of label image (Format: 555-555-5555)
§  Mailing Office Date Stamp added to top copy
§  General text and instructions updates:
·         “IMPORTANT: …” text on label face now “IMPORTANT: The item/parcel may be opened officially. See Privacy Notice on next printed page.”
·         “Detailed description of contents” now “Detailed Description of Contents”
·         “Contents” now “Contents: (Check All That Apply)”
·         “AES/ITN/Exemption” now “AES Exemption”
·         “Commercial sample” now “Commercial Sample”
·         “Country of Origin of Goods ##########__” text removed
·         Total sum of item quantities displayed.
·         “0” defaulted in weight column when no value provided in NetPounds or NetOunces tag
·         Date update to September 2012
 
For questions and concerns, please contact our customer support at 1-800-344-7779 or [email protected].

[Ajeh]

Nothing can be tested to work on changes until after January 14th ...

At that time the USPS shipping module will be reviewed ...

[Limitless]

Nothing can be tested to work on changes until after January 14th ...

At that time the USPS shipping module will be reviewed ...

GO US Government!


Give us 13 days to test and implement something that probably took them 2 years to decide upon...

[Ajeh]

More or less that is the fun we get every January to make our lives such a ... umm ... err ... challenge ...

[seattleannie]

If it turns out a new usps mod file is needed for the Jan 2013 rate change, will it only work in 1.5x sites? Or will there be a fix for 1.3.9 sites as well?

[Ajeh]

I usually will try to make it work with older versions as well ... it will depend on what all changes are required ...

[seattleannie]

Thanks for the reply, Ajeh! I am one person who loves Zen Cart and the support its developers provide. I do contribute, because you all deserve it!!

[Ajeh]

We greatly appreciate the support!

I will be doing the best I can to make sure that there is a USPS for v1.5+ as well as v1.3.9h ...

[seattleannie]

Hi again Ajeh,
Well, it is now after January 14. Any news yet? :)