USPS Web Tools Price Change Updates Jan 2012

ALERT: NEW MODULE POSTED JAN 22, 2012: http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191406

Web Tools integrator;

On January 22, 2012, USPS will update domestic shipping services and international pricing and product features. For detailed information on prices and new product features, please reference the Federal Register Notices 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 6, 2012. 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

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.

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;
·################ Domestic Rate Calculator API Changes:
o############## New <Container> request enumerations added to RateV4 to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice:
§################ FLAT RATE BOX (Express Mail Flat Rate Box),
§################ REGIONALRATEBOXC (Priority Mail Regional Rate Box C);
o############## New <FirstClassMailType> request enumeration added to RateV4:
§################ PACKAGE SERVICE;
o############## Optional <ReturnServiceInfo> tag added to RateV4 to return “Loss Guarantee Only” commitment information when an Express Mail Commitment is requested to certain destinations
o############## First-Class Mail Package <MailService> response values updated in RateV3 and RateV4 as follows:
§################ Postage CLASSID="0" - Retail Pricing
<MailService>First-Class Mail® Package</MailService> will become:
<MailService>First-Class Mail® Parcel</MailService>,
§################ Postage CLASSID="61" - Commercial Pricing
<MailService>First-Class Mail® Package</MailService> will become:
<MailService>First-Class Mail® Package Service</MailService>;
o############## New response nodes in RateV3 and RateV4 to support the USPS product offerings and prices listed in the Federal Register Notice (Express Mail Flat Rate Box and Priority Mail Regional Rate Box C, specifically);
o############## Rate and RateV2 responses will be modified to:
§################ Return trademarked product names,
§################ Enforce dimensional requirements through error messaging for large, oversize and S-restricted destinations.
·################ All Rate Calculator API integrators are encouraged to migrate to the latest API versions (RateV4, IntlRateV2):
o############## Rate and RateV2 versions of the domestic Rate Calculator will be retired on March 31, 2012, requiring all integrators to migrate to the latest versions;
·################ 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 (Express Mail Flat Rate Box, specifically);
·################ Express Mail Label and Hold For Pickup Express APIs:
o############## New <Container> request data tags to support the Express Mail Flat Rate Box;
§################ FLAT RATE BOX
·################ Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation APIs:
o############## New <Container> request data tags to support the Priority Mail Regional Rate Box C;
§################ REGIONALRATEBOXC
·################ Express Mail International API:
o############## New <Container> request data tags to support the Express Mail Flat Rate Box:
§################ FLATRATEBOX.

Please contact the USPS Internet Customer Care Center with any questions or concerns at 1-800-344-7779 or [email protected].

• Web Tools Program Office

Will we need to do anything different if we have not customized the module?

What will I need to do to ensure seamless transition to the new prices? Last year it took me a week to figure out that orders weren't coming in due to the changes. I got a friend to help out, but I need to learn. I'm using Zen Cart v1.3.8a

Thanks.

I am curious as well, using 1.3.9h and was wondering if usps.php will need to be updated because of this. Thank you.

We will have something soon regarding the notice sent on January 6, 2012 ...

Thanks Ajeh,

You guys are always on the ball :clap:. I am running the store on 1.3.8

JE2009:

Thanks Ajeh,

You guys are always on the ball :clap:. I am running the store on 1.3.8
You NEED to upgrade to a more secure version ASAP!

DrByte:

You NEED to upgrade to a more secure version ASAP!

I don't much php and its based on a custom template someone else made. I was able to add a lot of upgrades through the override structure. Which was would you recommend?

Instructions for upgrading your Zen Cart site can be found at https://www.zen-cart.com/upgrade

However, THIS discussion thread is NOT about upgrading Zen Cart. Discussions about topics other than USPS Jan 2012 changes should be taken to more appropriate places on the forum.

So is there a fix for the new 2012 USPS rates for ZEN-CART v1.3.9h?

It will be released as soon as USPS changes the server so that we can confirm that it is working properly ...

The old one will still work for most shipping methods, there are just a few new ones added ...

I just installed the new module. I am trying to select Priority Module Flat Rate as an option. I am able to select Priority Mail, but not force Flat Rate. Most of the time it is the same, but when shipping in my state, the customer sees a lower price that requires me to provide the shipping box. Is there a way to force Flat Rate?

Did you try this section of code:

          //PRIORITY MAIL OPTIONS
          if ($key == 'PRIORITY'){
            $this->container = ''; // Blank, Flate Rate Envelope, or Flat Rate Box // Sm Flat Rate Box, Md Flat Rate Box and Lg Flat Rate Box

          }

Thanks Ajeh. That was what I was looking for. :clap:

You guys did a great job on the 1.5.0 and the add-ons. Expect a donation before the end of the month.

You are most welcome ... thanks for the update that this is working for you ... :smile:

Ajeh:

Did you try this section of code:

      //PRIORITY MAIL OPTIONS
      if ($key == 'PRIORITY'){
        $this->container = ''; // Blank, Flate Rate Envelope, or Flat Rate Box // Sm Flat Rate Box, Md Flat Rate Box and Lg Flat Rate Box

      }

May I ask where this is located at or where I need to add this code? Will need to offer usps flat rates too and I'm not sure where I need to place this code or find it at.

Thank you

Around line 485 in the:
/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php

You can change which Priority quote you are getting by changing the:
$this->container = '';

to one of the other settings ... choices are:
blank as in nothing
Sm Flat Rate Box
Md Flat Rate Box
Lg Flat Rate Box

Ajeh:

Around line 485 in the:
/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php

You can change which Priority quote you are getting by changing the:
$this->container = '';

to one of the other settings ... choices are:
blank as in nothing
Sm Flat Rate Box
Md Flat Rate Box
Lg Flat Rate Box

As a relative newbee, and with all due respect to Ajeh, let me add one more point: This is determining what price is presented to your customer when you check the "Priority Mail" box on that menu on the right when editing USPS. If you want it to be just Standard Priority Mail, just leave it the way it is. If you want the price for a Sm Flat Rate Box to be presented, you would put Sm Flat Rate Box between the single quotes above, so it would read $this->container = 'Sm Flat Rate Box';

Thanks, is there a way to offer all of the services based on weight of the box so usps will know which one to show?

In admin side, I only see the following to choose from:

EXPRESS
PRIORITY
FIRST CLASS
PARCEL
MEDIA
LIBRARY

I do not see any flat rates there. How can I add this to the admin side as well so it will be easy for client to change?
Thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate it!

SPembleton:

As a relative newbee, and with all due respect to Ajeh, let me add one more point: This is determining what price is presented to your customer when you check the "Priority Mail" box on that menu on the right when editing USPS. If you want it to be just Standard Priority Mail, just leave it the way it is. If you want the price for a Sm Flat Rate Box to be presented, you would put Sm Flat Rate Box between the single quotes above, so it would read $this->container = 'Sm Flat Rate Box';

Ok. So I cannot add all flat rates and have usps automatically determine which flat rate to choose from? It should show the correct box size (small, med or large flat rate) according to weight in cart...or at least that sounds logical to me. :)