Nothing is more frustrating than having to deal with a rejected package. And for both individuals and businesses, these rejected packages often mean financial losses and missed opportunities. 

The good news is that Anytime Postage provides businesses with a comprehensive, automated shipping solution which helps increase efficiency and prevent packaging errors. The self-service kiosk automatically prioritizes regulatory compliance and ensures packages meet carrier requirements, reducing the likelihood of returned mail and parcels.

Common Reasons for Returned Packages

Both the post office and private carriers impose strict and precise parameters surrounding shipping mail and parcels, and the daily mailstream depends on shipments and mail complying with established rules. Any small infraction of these rules can result in returned packages. 

Package rejection is all too common, and can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

• Illegible Label: Illegible or smudged information on shipping labels will make a package a candidate for being returned. This is typically a result of handwritten labels or using a printer that’s not fit for current shipping standards. 

• Incorrect Information: Wrong recipient details, missing street name, or non-existent house numbers are some of the most common errors that lead to parcels being returned.

• Insufficient or Inaccurate Postage: Not paying enough or paying an incorrect amount will also flag a parcel for rejection. The carrier or the post office will most likely return a parcel with an incorrect postage amount to protect themselves from losing money from shipping without being compensated.

• Missing Documentation: For international parcels, a proper customs declaration is crucial. If the document is missing or has incomplete information, the package won’t reach its recipient.  

• Packaging Doesn’t Meet Established Standards: Aside from the label and paperwork, how a package is wrapped and prepared also matters when it comes to avoiding a returned package. If the box or envelope appears unsafe to transport, it’ll be returned. Or if it has opening or torn sections, or if it’s leaking, it'll be returned.

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The Cost of Returned Packages

Returned packages can have significant consequences for businesses and individuals. It doesn’t matter what the value of the shipment is. Any returned package can negatively affect business operations, profit margins, and even someone’s day.

• Financial Losses: For example, a small store ships a package of products to its customer. But for some reason, the package is returned, resulting in a hit to sales. Plus, re-shipping the products will also require money, or in some cases, the returned product can no longer be resold, adding even more financial pain due to the returned package. 

• Lost Opportunities: Returned packages can result in missing out on chances for collaboration, investor interest, or a even a job or client offer. A letter or a parcel with product samples that gets returned, for example, because of incomplete or wrong information may have irreversible consequences for a small business. 

• Wasted Time: When a package is returned, the shipping process often needs to be restarted. This means repacking the item, driving to the post office or carrier location, and waiting in line. For busy individuals or small businesses, this is time that could be much better spent on more meaningful business-building activities.

Avoiding Returned Packages

Proper preparation and adhering to packaging standards ensure that returned packages are kept to a minimum or avoided altogether. At the very least, a shipper should keep the following in mind: 

• Label Requirements Compliance: The package label should be accurate and printed clearly. It should be legible and include the complete and correct address, and labels should always be placed on the largest, flattest side of the parcel and never over seams or edges.

• Accepted Packaging Materials: Parcels often travel long distances and are subjected to harsh conditions based on the nature of shipping in general. They’re pressed tightly in big trucks and transported in ships across stormy seas and will experience being dropped, rolled, and likely be tested at some point in their journey. This is why carriers and the post office emphasize the importance of accepted and standardized packaging materials. 

Accepted materials that help prevent returned packages include sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes, padded mailers, and poly mailers for non-fragile items. For some shipping carriers, the package must meet size and rigidity requirements. Additionally, it’s vital that the item inside the box is well-protected with bubble wrap or foam inserts.

How Anytime Postage Prevents Returned Packages 

To comply with carrier and post office regulations, Anytime Postage utilizes a state-of-the-art integrated system to prevent the generation of incorrect labels, invalid address details, wrong postage, or missing custom documentation. 

The self-contained kiosk ensures that every package shipped follows carrier requirements, resulting in reduced returns. By automating the shipping process, the kiosk prevents common compliance errors such as incorrect address data and improper label formats, which is a win-win for your customers and your business. 

• Address Information Validation: Anytime Postage integrates real-time address validation tools that automatically cross-check recipient information against carrier-approved databases. When a customer enters recipient information, the kiosk will flag missing apartment numbers, misspelled street names, or incorrect zip codes. 

• Upon identifying the error, the customer will be prompted to review and correct the entry before proceeding to the next steps. By validating address information upfront, Anytime Postage ensures that packages comply with both domestic and international delivery standards. 

• Thermal Printer: Anytime Postage uses an ultra-modern thermal printer to generate shipping labels, ensuring high contrast and smudge-free output. This eliminates issues commonly associated with ink printer labels, such as smudging, fading, or running out of ink.

The Anytime Postage thermal printer also guarantees compliance. The label size, barcode position, and other required carrier elements (e.g., postage, tracking, and customs data) are printed exactly to specifications.

• Real-Time Updates: The Anytime Postage kiosk uses live APIs to connect to carriers so that every transaction automatically adheres to any specific rules currently required by any carrier. The live APIs enable the kiosks to access real-time information, such as pricing, service cutoffs, prohibited items, and package size or weight limitations. 

Live data reduces the risk of returned packages due to outdated information or last-minute provider rule changes. By removing the guesswork about carrier and post office regulations, the kiosk helps minimize mistakes and prevent returned packages from the get-go. 

Additionally, automated notifications keep users informed about current documentation or customs requirements, especially for international shipments. 

Benefits For Your Business By Reducing Mail and Package Returns

Reducing or eliminating returned packages is good for your customers and benefits your business. 

• Happier Customers: Having packages returned is frustrating. By using an automated system like Anytime Postage that reduces or eliminates package returns, your customers won’t have to stress about returns, reshipping items, and additional expenses. 

• Streamlined Process: Anytime Postage allows customers to ship mail and parcels on their own because the kiosk ensures that all details are accurate and the label is printed correctly, reducing the need for the staff to monitor, guide, or correct any customer errors. 

• Enhanced Business Growth: By eliminating some steps that take up your staff’s time and attention, you can focus on other aspects of the business. Maybe you’ll have more time for product or service development, strengthening customer relationships, or expanding marketing campaigns. Anytime Postage keeps self-service shipping running smoothly so that you’ll have more bandwidth for what’s most important for your business.

Guarantee Carrier Compliance with Anytime Postage

Anytime Postage offers you the opportunity to serve your customers better and faster by reducing returned packages. To get started with an Anytime Postage self-service kiosk, simply follow the steps below: 

1. Explore the Anytime Postage website and purchase the kiosk from our shop (installment plans are available as well).

2. We’ll verify your order and an Anytime Postage specialist will contact you to set up customization features such as branding and shipping fees based on your preferences. Depending on availability, the kiosk will be delivered via standard delivery in approximately six weeks, with faster expedited shipping options also available.

3. When you receive your kiosk, you can immediately start offering the service to your customers and add a new revenue stream to your business. The stylish kiosk is ready to use out of the box, and is simple to install. And of course on call to answer any questions and provide any technical support for you at anytime. 

For additional details and to watch a demo video of the Anytime Postage self-service kiosk, simply take a few minutes to learn more on our website.