USPS API changes announced for May 12, 2008

[benblee]

MODERATOR NOTE: Updated module posted here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97461


Changes for USPS prices and API's were announced and this word document was sent out. Is this a concern for the Zen-Cart 1.3.7 shipping calculator?

Dear customer,
 
On May 12, 2008 several APIs will be altered in response to the USPS Price Change (http://www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm). While the APIs listed below will remain structurally and syntactically backward compatible, data changes are possibly substantial enough to affect some integrators. Please contact [email protected] (1-800-344-7779) with any specific schema or enumeration questions. 
 
 
Effective 5/12/2008, the APIs will consist of the following changes:
•         Integration of domestic and international price changes across all Web Tools APIs that use rates 
•         Merchandise Return API Insurance/Fee calculation updated for 2008 Price Change 
•         PriorityMail/StandardB API Service Standard data updated 
•         First Class Mail International API supports three shapes, machinability 
•         Deprecated GlobalLabelAirmail, GlobalLabelExpress APIs are no longer available
•         IntlRate API supports three First Class Mail International product shapes now (new enumerations), addition of optional machinable attribute
•         Signature Confirmation API reflects changed SC fee 
 
Most impacted will be the integrators using RateV2 and IntlRate as shown below. 
 
RateV2: Besides the price differences, there are new services and a renamed service.  This also changes the order of the services within the response.  Note that RateV2 is in maintenance-only mode and integrators should upgrade to RateV3 to obtain the latest features.
 
(AFTER 2008 Price Change)	(CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION)
<RateV2Request USERID="xxx”>
  <Package ID="1">
    <Service>All</Service>
    <ZipOrigination>20905</ZipOrigination>
    <ZipDestination>21114</ZipDestination>
    <Pounds>1</Pounds>
    <Ounces>0</Ounces>
    <Container>Flat Rate Envelope</Container>
    <Size>Regular</Size>
    <Machinable>False</Machinable>
  </Package>
</RateV2Request>
 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<RateV2Response>
  <Package ID="1">
    <ZipOrigination>20905</ZipOrigination>
    <ZipDestination>21114</ZipDestination>
    <Pounds>1</Pounds>
    <Ounces>0</Ounces>
    <Size>REGULAR</Size>
    <Machinable>FALSE</Machinable>
    <Zone>1, Intra-BMC</Zone>	<RateV2Request USERID="xxx”>
  <Package ID="1">
    <Service>All</Service>
    <ZipOrigination>20905</ZipOrigination>
    <ZipDestination>21114</ZipDestination>
    <Pounds>1</Pounds>
    <Ounces>0</Ounces>
    <Container>Flat Rate Envelope</Container>
    <Size>Regular</Size>
    <Machinable>False</Machinable>
  </Package>
</RateV2Request>
 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<RateV2Response>
  <Package ID="1">
    <ZipOrigination>20905</ZipOrigination>
    <ZipDestination>21114</ZipDestination>
    <Pounds>1</Pounds>
    <Ounces>0</Ounces>
    <Size>REGULAR</Size>
    <Machinable>FALSE</Machinable>
    <Zone>1, Intra-BMC</Zone>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Sunday/Holiday Guarantee</MailService>
      <Rate>27.05</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope Sunday/Holiday Guarantee</MailService>
      <Rate>29.00</Rate>
    </Postage>	 
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Hold For Pickup</MailService>
      <Rate>14.55</Rate>
    </Postage>	    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail PO to PO</MailService>
      <Rate>17.10</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>14.55</Rate>
    </Postage>	    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>19.50</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope Hold For Pickup</MailService>
      <Rate>16.50</Rate>
    </Postage>	 
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope</MailService>
      <Rate>16.50</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>4.80</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope</MailService>
      <Rate>4.80</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box</MailService>
      <Rate>9.80</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box</MailService>
      <Rate>12.95</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Parcel Post</MailService>
      <Rate>6.75</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Bound Printed Matter</MailService>
(AFTER 2008 Price Change)	(CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION)
<IntlRateRequest USERID="xxx”>
  <Package ID="0">
    <Pounds>0</Pounds>
    <Ounces>10</Ounces>
    <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
    <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
    <Country>Belgium</Country>
  </Package>
</IntlRateRequest>
 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<IntlRateResponse>
  <Package ID="0">
    <Prohibitions>Bronze, copper, and nickel coins not legal tender<!--167 suppressed-->.</Prohibitions>
    <Restrictions>No list furnished.</Restrictions>
    <Observations>1. Priority Mail International parcels must have <!--781 suppressed-->.</Observations>
    <CustomsForms>First-Class Mail International items and Priority<!--150 suppressed-->)</CustomsForms>
    <ExpressMail>Country Code: BEReciprocal Service Name: Datapost<!--992 suppressed-->l</ExpressMail>
    <AreasServed>Please reference Express Mail for Areas Served.</AreasServed>	<IntlRateRequest USERID="xxx”>
  <Package ID="0">
    <Pounds>0</Pounds>
    <Ounces>10</Ounces>
    <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
    <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
    <Country>Belgium</Country>
  </Package>
</IntlRateRequest>
 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<IntlRateResponse>
  <Package ID="0">
    <Prohibitions>Bronze, copper, and nickel coins not legal tender<!--167 suppressed-->.</Prohibitions>
    <Restrictions>No list furnished.</Restrictions>
    <Observations>1. Priority Mail International parcels must have <!--781 suppressed-->.</Observations>
    <CustomsForms>First-Class Mail International items and Priority<!--150 suppressed-->)</CustomsForms>
    <ExpressMail>Country Code: BEReciprocal Service Name: Datapost<!--992 suppressed-->l</ExpressMail>
    <AreasServed>Please reference Express Mail for Areas Served.</AreasServed>
    <Service ID="4">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>52.00</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Global Express Guaranteed</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="5">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>52.00</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0.00</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Global Express Guaranteed Document</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="12">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>52.00</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0.00</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>GXG Envelopes</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Cardboard envelope has a dimension of 9 1/2" X 12<!--64 suppressed-->"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="1">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>30.50</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0.00</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>7 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Express Mail International (EMS)</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="10">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>25.95</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0.00</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>7 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Express Mail International (EMS) Flat Rate Envelope</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>9 1/2" X 12 1/2"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="2">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>24.00</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>2.45</Insurance>
      <ParcelIndemnityCoverage>1.00</ParcelIndemnityCoverage>
      <SvcCommitments>6 - 10 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Priority Mail International</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>	    <Service ID="4">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>49</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Global Express Guaranteed</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="5">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>49</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Global Express Guaranteed Document</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="12">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>49</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>1 - 3 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>GXG Envelopes</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Cardboard envelope has a dimension of 9 1/2" X 12<!--64 suppressed-->"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>70</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="1">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>30.5</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>7 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Express Mail International (EMS)</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="10">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>25</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>0</Insurance>
      <SvcCommitments>7 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Express Mail International (EMS) Flat Rate Envelope</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>9 1/2" X 12 1/2"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="2">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>20</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <Insurance>2.4</Insurance>
      <ParcelIndemnityCoverage>1</ParcelIndemnityCoverage>
      <SvcCommitments>6 - 10 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Priority Mail International</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max.length 60", max. length plus girth 108"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>66</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="8">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>11.95</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>6 - 10 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>USPS-supplied Priority Mail flat-rate envelope 9 <!--39 suppressed-->.</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>	    <Service ID="8">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>11</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>6 - 10 Days</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>USPS-supplied Priority Mail flat-rate envelope 9 <!--39 suppressed-->.</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
 	    <Service ID="3">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>8.8</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First-Class Mail International</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>64</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="14">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>8.45</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First Class Mail International Flats</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 15", height 12 or more than 3/4" thick</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>	 
    <Service ID="15">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>10</Ounces>
      <MailType>Envelope</MailType>
      <Country>BELGIUM</Country>
      <Postage>8.65</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>1.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First Class Mail International Parcels</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 24", max length, height and depth (thickness) combined 36"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>	 
  </Package>
</IntlRateResponse>	  </Package>
</IntlRateResponse>
 	 
 	 
      <Rate>2.15</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Media Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>2.23</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Library Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>2.12</Rate>
    </Postage>
  </Package>
</RateV2Response>	    <Postage>
      <MailService>Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope</MailService>
      <Rate>16.25</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>4.60</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope</MailService>
      <Rate>4.60</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box</MailService>
      <Rate>8.95</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box</MailService>
      <Rate>12.95</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Parcel Post</MailService>
      <Rate>6.54</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Bound Printed Matter</MailService>
      <Rate>2.12</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Media Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>2.13</Rate>
    </Postage>
    <Postage>
      <MailService>Library Mail</MailService>
      <Rate>2.02</Rate>
    </Postage>
  </Package>
</RateV2Response>
 	 
 	 
 
 
IntlRate: Besides the price differences, the former First Class Mail International (FCMI) with Service ID=”3” is replaced with up to three nodes:  FCMI Letter ID=”13”, FCMI Flat ID=”14”, and FCMI Parcel ID=”15”.  In addition, currency values are returned in a two-decimal-place fixed format (was inconsistent before).
 
 
Additionally, there are a few subtle differences in First Class Mail International nodes returned for IntlRate:
 
•         Hyphen in name.  Was “First-Class” but now will be “First Class” as shown. 
•         MaxWeight in pounds.  Previously, all nodes returned <MaxWeight/> in pounds except for First Class Mail which was in ounces.  Now, they are all in pounds including FCMI. 
•         We already mentioned that the The currency values will be formatted to two decimal places. 
•         There are various changes to the text within <MaxDimensions/> and <SvcDescription/> as appropriate for the new shapes. 
 
 
More examples of FCMI shape nodes returned:

WILL BE (14-0)
    <Service ID="13">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>3</Ounces>
      <MailType>Package</MailType>
      <Country>ALBANIA</Country>
      <Postage>2.54</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>40.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First Class Mail International Letters</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 11.5", height 6 1/8" or more than 1/4" thick</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>0.2188</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="14">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>3</Ounces>
      <MailType>Package</MailType>
      <Country>ALBANIA</Country>
      <Postage>2.80</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>40.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First Class Mail International Flats</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 15", height 12 or more than 3/4" thick</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>
    <Service ID="15">
      <Pounds>0</Pounds>
      <Ounces>3</Ounces>
      <MailType>Package</MailType>
      <Country>ALBANIA</Country>
      <Postage>3.00</Postage>
      <ValueOfContents>40.00</ValueOfContents>
      <InsComment>DESTINATION</InsComment>
      <SvcCommitments>Varies</SvcCommitments>
      <SvcDescription>First Class Mail International Parcels</SvcDescription>
      <MaxDimensions>Max. length 24", max length, height and depth (thickness) combined 36"</MaxDimensions>
      <MaxWeight>4</MaxWeight>
    </Service>

[cyfarian]

I came here looking for this too, but wasn't able to find anything yet.

[Jivananda]

I'm also wondering about this. It seems like an urgent problem if all the USPS shipping modules just stop working!

Anyone know what the deal is? Or will we just have to wait and see if it breaks?

[DrByte]

Yes, it's being looked-into.

[gt3]

Looks like my "First Class International Mail" is not coming up.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[crunchpod]

Looks like my "First Class International Mail" is not coming up.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Yeah, that's the only problem I'm experiencing. All of the other methods, so far, seem to be working okay.

[gt3]

I need help because "First Class International Mail" is important for me. A majority of my customers select this shipping Method.

Any solutions?

[BEatMaKeR]

Same here... Intern########al Mail is cheapest rate since UPS and FedEx results come back crazy over-priced. Any fixes for this yet?

[BEatMaKeR]

Actually I take that back... See THIS POST.

I should have tested before I posted above. Everything still appears to be working for me. No problems here. :)

[Randolph Hoppe]

My store isn't returning First Class Mail International, either. Pretty sure I'm using the Nov 2007 module.