はじめに
Shipping platform challenges can have far-reaching effects on logistics and postal services. A report from the agency’s Office of Inspector General indicates that USPS may have lost revenue because of multi-carrier software glitches that resulted in overcharging merchants.
Dive Brief
For more than 15 months, multi-carrier shipping platforms have sometimes published inflated U.S. Postal Service rates, which could have discouraged merchants from using the Postal Service. This issue was highlighted in a recent report published on July 2.
The report reviewed the accuracy of the Merchant Rate Card program from November 2023 to January 2025. This program offers discounted Postal Service rates to shippers, particularly benefitting small and medium-sized businesses that utilize various delivery providers through third-party platforms.
Overcharging incidents arose from software errors, including incorrect package weight rounding, prompting merchants to opt for competitors rather than the Postal Service, according to the OIG.
Shipping Platform Insights
Platforms such as Shippo, ProShip, Auctane’s ShipStation, and Pitney Bowes’ ShipAccel appeal to smaller e-commerce businesses that seek better delivery rates than they can achieve independently.
Major carriers recognize the need to collaborate with these platforms to appeal to a broader customer base. Those not offering competitive rates risk losing potential business to other shipping options available to users.
Despite platforms paying the USPS accurate postage rates for over 99% of evaluated packages, some transactions with incorrect postage went unnoticed, contributing to the revenue loss.
According to the OIG, failure to validate accurate postage during quarterly reviews allowed minor technical issues to persist. These oversights are estimated to have cost the Postal Service approximately $1 million in lost revenue, while concurrently allowing platforms to overpay USPS by about $2.6 million.
Moreover, challenges included not just weight miscalculations, but also misapplication of cubic rates instead of weight-based rates and rural ZIP code rates incorrectly used in non-rural situations.
Future Steps and Recommendations
In response to these findings, USPS management has pledged to migrate to software hosted by the agency that facilitates proper rounding rules. By employing an automated verification system, the Postal Service aims to ensure accurate postage is collected for all shipments. Additionally, it declared that issues regarding non-rural ZIP codes were addressed by May 1.
Monthly proactive rate monitoring is essential for strengthening revenue collection and ensuring the sustained success of programs designed to foster growth, according to the OIG’s report.
結論
Shipping platforms significantly impact logistics and how businesses navigate delivery solutions. The discrepancies in USPS’s shipping platform underscore the necessity for reliable systems that not only maintain accurate transaction records but also support small businesses in their shipping endeavors.
While major carriers might experience fewer setbacks through partnerships with shipping platforms, the ongoing issues faced by USPS demonstrate the need for continual improvement in logistics and transportation operations. Programs need to adapt and refine their technologies to mitigate such losses moving forward.
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物流への影響
The implications of USPS shipping platform challenges are crucial for understanding how revenue losses translate to international logistics trends. Companies must recognize the significance of reliable freight, shipment, and delivery mechanisms in an increasingly interconnected global market.
Issues like these serve as reminders of the domino effect that can occur within the shipping and forwarding industry. With accurate reporting and agile operational strategies, companies can not only adapt to immediate challenges but also orchestrate long-term improvements in undisputed efficiency and reliability.
The world of cargo transport is ever-evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving in an aggressive logistics landscape. Therefore, remember your partners like GetTransport.com, ready to provide versatility and reliability.