USPS Rate and API changes May 2011

Just got the warning from the USPS about the new rates and API changes.

Will this require an updated USPS shipping module?

Here's the summary of changes:

Web Tools APIs will be affected in the following manner:
§ All Web Tools APIs with postage prices incorporated will be updated to reflect the price changes
§ All Rate Calculator API integrators are encouraged to migrate to the latest API versions (RateV4, IntlRateV2):
o RateV4 and IntlRateV2 will be the only Rate Calculator API versions to offer the full range of new products and functionality
o Rate, RateV2, RateV3 and IntlRate will be retired in May 2011, requiring all integrators to migrate to the latest versions
§ Domestic Rate Calculator API Changes
o New <Container> request enumerations will be added to RateV4 to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice
o New response nodes in Rate, RateV2, RateV3 and RateV4 to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice
o New optional request values in RateV4 to support USPS extra services offerings and prices
o New optional response nodes in RateV4 to support USPS extra services offerings and prices
§ International Rate Calculator API
o New response nodes in IntlRate and IntlRateV2 to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice
o New optional request values in IntlRateV2 to support USPS extra services offerings and prices
o New optional response nodes in IntlRateV2 to support USPS extra services offerings and prices
o New <AdditionalRestrictions> response value in IntlRate and IntlRateV2
§ Express Mail Label and Hold For Pickup Express API
o New <Revision> and <Container> request data tags to support the Legal Flat Rate Box
o New <Size>, <Length>, <Width>, <Height> and <Girth> request data tags
§ Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation
o New <Revision> and <Container> request data tags to support the USPS product offering and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice
§ International Label APIs
o New <Container> request enumerations will be added to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice
o New <Revision>, <Size>, <Length>, <Width>, <Height> and <Girth> request data tags
o New <AdditionalRestrictions> response value
§ Customs Forms CN22 and CP72
o New <AdditionalRestrictions> response value

Many thanks,

Ed

Looking for this answer too!

Ditto! - Ive emailed them as per their notice: > USPS:

Please note that the changes below are intended to be backwards compatible, however, may not be depending on how individual programs are integrated with the APIs. Technical guides, inclusive of the changes below, can be obtained from the USPS Internet Customer Care Center (1-800-344-7779 or icustomercare at usps dot com).

but haven't heard back yet- It would appear, however, that the USPS shipping module will indeed require changes, as, looking at the code, it appears to reference RateV3, as far as I can determine, which will be retired in May 2011, meaning that it's gonna break unless the software gets updated to use RateV4 - all I am wanting to know here is if this is definitely gonna be updated, or if I will have to plan on spending a couple weeks studying the code and the new API changes (if I can GET the guides, that is), and testing on the test server, to update the code myself.. :)

USPS:

Rate, RateV2, RateV3 and IntlRate will be retired in May 2011, requiring all integrators to migrate to the latest versions

We will prepare an updated version of the module prior to the May 2011 deadline.

Will there be a patch available for 1.3.8? I have not had the chance to upgrade yet (made way too many mods).

Usually the updates have been backwards compatible ...

Example, the January 2, 2011 C version that is the current USPS shipping module on post #26 can work in many old versions of Zen Cart ...
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171314&highlight=USPS+January+2011

:blink:
I'm a little confused still. USPS said that we need to migrate to RateV4 by August 2011. Will the patch (January 2, 2011 C Post #26) version migrate zencart's USPS interface to RateV4, RateV3, or something else?

By the way, I'm only interested in shipping domestic.

Thanks again for all of your hard work.

When there is the need for the RateV4 we will have a release ...

At this time, use the current USPS January 2, 2011 C updated shipping module. It uses RateV3.

Ajeh:

When there is the need for the RateV4 we will have a release ...

Seems a little , well.. "flippant" in tone.. but thats just opinion.. :shocking:

However, the fact is, the need is there now, as RateV4 is in current active production use - The May 2011 "deadline" means that at some point in the next 2 months, there are going to be an awful lot of web stores relying on the USPS module that all of a sudden no longer work. As a business owner, it is important to me to ensure that the website is going to work well BEFORE the RateV3 is retired.

So, I am asking for an update - when may we expect the new RateV4 shipping module to be ready? and will it help any if financial incentive is offered? and if so, just how much will it take to make sure that RateV4 is production ready well in advance of May, 2011 (Ideally it will be ready in mid march to April) -

and if I cannot get a straight answer here, then I will have to go and hire a freelance programmer, because this is important to my business and livelihood - I have no problem paying for it, if it gets done, and gets done right...

I'd sooner spend the money to this project and its developers, than spend it to a freelancer elsewhere.. but .. preferences don't mean a whole lot, when a large chunk of my business income is on the line,, if I got to spend money, its gonna go where the results come from. :smartalec:

So.. any updates as to when the new USPS module will be ready to fly?

Thanks.

I do not have a date for you ... when it is ready the USPS module for RateV4 will be posted ...

My notice from USPS states the date as 4-17-11 for the update dead line. any1 have a patch to update?

Tx
:o)

I was told the same date. I sell on eBay also and their rates changed yesterday? So I too am a little confused.

When is this supposed to actually take place?

Does Zen Cart have a separate agreement or rate that changes on a different day?

The USPS shipping module obtains Real Time quotes ... unless they change the code identifying the shipping methods, a Rate Change does not affect anything and the current January 2, 2011 C module from post #26 from:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171314&highlight=USPS+January+2011

continues to work, as is ...

ok thank you Ajeh I really appreciate all you and folks like you do for Zen Cart! Thank you so much :-)

On my site - http://thesmokingassistant.com
The shipping rates is wrong, I don't get it I got the most recent module for USPS and 1lb does not get the proper shipping rate when I compare it from their site. and 1lb says 4lb???

Did you check the settings in the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging ... and see what the Tare Rates are set to? :unsure:

0:0 will turn off the additional weight ...

Update for V4? Just got a notice from USPS saying V1 and V2 will not be supported by early next year. What's the latest status?

The current version of USPS is the January 2, 2011 C version from post #26:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171314

As to whether this will work on next year, if an upgrade is needed it will be posted ...

I've received a letter on Nov 01,2011 indicating that "The Postal Service will no longer support these (Rate or RateV2) APIs effective March 31, 2012. We encourage you to migrate to the current version of the Domestic Rate Calculator API (Rate V4) as soon as possible".

I have the latest USPS module from January 2nd. My Express Mail rates are about $2 to $3 too low. Priority and everything else is great but express mail is to low. Tare weights are set to 0:0. I adjusted weights of my products but that makes priority and others too high. Any suggestions. Thanks.