USPS does not work for me "We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable..."

As with other people, I'm receiving the following error message:

"We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable for your mailing address and the shipping methods we typically use.
If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please contact us for assistance.
(Please check that your Zip Code is entered correctly.)"

I have, in this exact order, attempted the following to no avail: Uninstall all shipping modules via admin, delete all module php files from \includes\modules\shipping, reinstall and configure a sole USPS module, curse angrily upon yet another failure.

I'm using a fresh install of the latest ZenCart. I have had my USPS profile switched to the production server.

What's the deal?

Thanks,
Zach Maier

What is the zip code of the customer you are attempting to request a shipping quote for?

What is the zip code entered in Admin->Configuration->Shipping/Packaging->Postal Code ?

What is the weight of the products in the cart ?

What options do you have enabled in your Admin->Modules->Shipping->USPS for shipping methods (all the checkboxes)?

DrByte:

What is the zip code of the customer you are attempting to request a shipping quote for?

What is the zip code entered in Admin->Configuration->Shipping/Packaging->Postal Code ?

What is the weight of the products in the cart ?

What options do you have enabled in your Admin->Modules->Shipping->USPS for shipping methods (all the checkboxes)?

I have tried shipping to zip codes 30012, 30039, 32541, and various others throughout the US.

The zip code listed under Admin->Configuration->Shipping/Packaging is 30012.

The weight of the shipments ranges from about 0.03 pounds to about 5 pounds.

Yes, for testing purposes I have all boxes checked.

What next?

Thanks,
Zach Maier

For giggles and grins ...

Uninstall the USPS shipping module and reinstall it then configure it for the Production server with your USPS Web Tools User ID again ...

Ajeh:

For giggles and grins ...

Uninstall the USPS shipping module and reinstall it then configure it for the Production server with your USPS Web Tools User ID again ...

I can't believe it- that actually worked! Thank you so much! When my shop finally goes live, the first thing I'm going to do is award you a $50 coupon to apply towards all deadly Phoneutria spiders and Androctonus scorpions!

Seriously, I tried it- mostly for giggles and grins. However I must admit that, partially due to your avatar, I was actually hoping that just maybe you had Cyber Santa Claus-esque powers and, therefore, were capable of fixing such problems through magic or some other form bullshittery/amazing feat of luck.

It was worth a shot but, unfortunately, as with the dozen or so attempts before, resulted in nada quotada.

Next?

When you edit your USPS module settings in Zen Cart admin, are you able to set the module's "debug" mode to "email"?
If so, please do that, then test another quote, and then check email in your store's main email address's account. What's the USPS debug data say ?
If that option isn't available, you are using an old version of Zen Cart and the USPS module is out of date, thus pulling old or invalid data.

DrByte:

When you edit your USPS module settings in Zen Cart admin, are you able to set the module's "debug" mode to "email"?
If so, please do that, then test another quote, and then check email in your store's main email address's account. What's the USPS debug data say ?
If that option isn't available, you are using an old version of Zen Cart and the USPS module is out of date, thus pulling old or invalid data.

Guess I should have tried that earlier:

Now... What do I do about it?

Thanks,
Zach

In your USPS module settings, which server is it set to use ?

DrByte:

In your USPS module settings, which server is it set to use ?

I tried both the test and production server with the same results.

Thanks,
Zach

Call USPS and double check they have you on the production server and check your credentials.

Kim:

Call USPS and double check they have you on the production server and check your credentials.

I called USPS and they fixed the problem. Apparently there was some glitch in their system, which they were able to fix within a few minutes.

This problem has been resolved- now I just have to straighten my host out.

Thanks for all your help!
Zach Maier

I also ran into the problem with USPS not giving rate quotes in test mode or production mode. According to the intro email I expected production to fail because I had to call to activate it. However when I called them to ask about test mode not working they proceeded to ask if I was using a third party shopping cart. I told them I was using Zen Cart and they said they needed to switch my profile to allow me access to the production server. As soon as they got back to my call I tried it in production mode and it worked. Upon switching back to test mode just for giggles I found that it worked also. Hope this helps anyone trying to set this up.

-Shawn

Exactly.

Similar details are listed in the USPS Setup FAQ: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=327

Ok, so I've searched this forum and others and have read over and over again how to properly set up the USPS module. I have everything I need and yet it doesn't work. It keeps giving me the following error:

We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable for your mailing address and the shipping methods we typically use.
If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please contact us for assistance.
(Please check that your Zip Code is entered correctly.)

I have the zip code in configuration/shipping/packaging set to my correct zip code. The address I am using to test is a valid address (my home address). I have called the USPS twice and they assured me I am on the production server, ready to go.

Yet it doesn't work.

I also have it set on debug mode, but it keeps sending blank emails. That doesn't really help me! :)

I also installed the latest usps.php file.

Any ideas?

Wow, so I called the USPS again just to make absolutely sure I'm on the production server and they assured me that I am. It still doesn't work in zen-cart, though.

Is there something wrong in my php settings or something? Can anyone help?

Thanks!

b3groover:

I also have it set on debug mode, but it keeps sending blank emails. That doesn't really help me! :)

If you're getting no response at all back from USPS, then perhaps your webserver is failing to connect to the USPS site properly. That could be a problem caused by overly tight security on the server where they've prevented the PHP fsockopen() function from connecting to external resources.

Thank you for the reply. How would I find out if that is indeed the case and fix it?

If I were doing it, I'd be looking at the code in the usps.php module and either using that to create a simulation which shows me any errors or problems it encounters. Or maybe just turn on debug logging to see if anything gets reported by PHP. Or maybe just start by asking my hosting company if there are any restrictions and why.

Thank you. It does appear to be an fsockopen problem. Which also explains why Paypal IPN also does not work.

How can I fix this? I've been on hold with my stupid server hosting company for 30 minutes; nobody is answering the phone (very annoying... I think I'll switch companies). I have access to php.ini.

Thanks!

You probably cannot fix it yourself, unless you have access to the master php.ini file. If you do have access to the master, you'll find documentation on the PHP website on properly editing the settings in the file.