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James Messer
James Messer is a copywriter specializing in shipping, logistics, and ecommerce.
Can I Use the DYMO 450 to Print 4″ x 6″ Shipping Labels?
DYMO 450 Label Printing? The DYMO Label Writer 450 cannot print 4″ x 6″ labels; it supports a maximum width of 2.2″. For 4″ x 6″ labels, the DYMO Label…
How the Amazon SP-API Update Impacts Merchants
The way many apps communicate to each other is through API (Application Programming Interface) integrations. API integrations send and receive data between apps, websites, servers, etc. For instance, when your…
Shipping to US Territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, and More
Shipping to territories can be complicated, let us remove the guesswork!
Recommended Thermal Label Printers For Printing Shipping Labels
ShipStation is all about efficiency. Which comes in handy as the holiday rush ramps up. This is the time of year to make order fulfillment as streamlined as possible. And one way to fulfill…
How to Ship Vinyl Records
Selling and shipping physical media is usually pretty straightforward. However, talk to any record sellers and you quickly know which one requires the most care. Knowing how to ship vinyl…
How to Reduce eCommerce Shipping Costs
Shipping costs are a major expense for any e-commerce merchant. When you’re first starting out, you may be buying your labels at the post office—hoping to one day have a…
How to Get Cheaper International USPS Shipping Rates
The USPS is frequently considered the gold standard for national carriers. Many merchants across the world find shipping to the US to be a breeze because of how well our…
Why Was I Charged a UPS, USPS, or FedEx Billing Adjustment?
Billing adjustments can be a shock at the end of the month. Luckily there are ways to minimize and avoid them. Find out how for UPS, USPS, and FedEx here.
How to Find a UPS, DHL, FedEx, or USPS Drop Off Near Me
Easily find USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL drop-off spots near you. Learn how labelless shipping works, when to schedule pickups, and how ShipStation helps streamline shipping and save money for…
Eco-Friendly Shipping Practices
Ecommerce has the capacity to make our shopping habits greener. When we have items delivered to us instead of us driving around to stores, it minimizes our carbon footprint. With…
Why You Should Use Multiple Carriers: UPS, USPS, DHL, and FedEx
Merchants typically look at shipping as a necessary evil: It cuts into your profit margins and you just have to deal with it. Yes, shipping costs money. But there are…
USPS Adds New Surcharges for April 2022
Starting April 3, 2022, the United States Postal Service is introducing surcharges for oversized packages with sides over 20” or 30.” These surcharges were announced as part of USPS’s 2022…
UPS, FedEx, and USPS Overnight Shipping: Best Option?
Overnight shipping has become more than just a convenience—it’s a customer expectation. Whether you’re fulfilling last-minute orders, shipping perishables, or meeting tight SLAs, selecting the right overnight service is critical.…
How to Schedule a Carrier Pickup With ShipStation
Running an ecommerce business means dealing with carriers. Logging into different carrier accounts to buy and print postage can become tedious though. And the only thing worse than having to…
Shipping to China: A US Merchant’s Guide
China is the US’s third largest trade partner, behind Canada and Mexico. Beyond manufacturing in China and their place as a central figure in world economics, there is a big…
Cheapest Way to Ship Books: Best Practices, Costs, and Carrier Options
Shipping books doesn’t have to be difficult—or expensive. Between how to ship books, packaging tips, carrier guidelines, and calculating costs, merchants can feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re sending a single paperback,…
What To Do About A Damaged, Stolen, or Lost Package
Shipping is not without its share of unknowns. Lost and damaged products are something any ecommerce business has to worry about and will eventually confront. Dealing with this process with…
USPS Cancels Priority Mail International Service to China
Starting January 28th, 2022, the USPS will suspend Priority Mail International shipments with a destination address within China. This will impact all non-military or diplomatic USPS Priority Mail International mailpieces…
What Slower USPS First Class Mail Transit Time Means for You
Consumers and merchants alike have likely experienced delayed shipments since the onset of COVID. The USPS, FedEx, and UPS have each felt the stresses of increased demand on their operations.…
UPS, USPS, and FedEx Dimensional Weight Rates
What is Dimensional Weight? Dimensional weight is a pricing structure that increases the shipping rate if a parcel is deemed too large in relation to its weight—think things like a…