USPSRates Class

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Determines domestic and international postage rates based on weight, size, class of mail, and origin/destination information.

Syntax

inship.uspsrates()

Remarks

This class provides automated online access to domestic and international rate information. These domestic rates are for: Express Mail, First-Class Mail, and Priority Mail, as well as single-piece rates for all four Package Services: Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail. The international rates are for International Priority Mail, International Express Mail (EMS), and International First Class Mail, along with service standards for each class of service.

To use this class to receive rate information for domestic shipments, simply set the PackageWeight, SenderZipCode, RecipientZipCode, and PackageSize. Then simply call GetRates.

You may also optionally supply dimensions of the package with PackageLength, PackageWidth, and PackageHeight, and filter the results returned by ServiceType and PackageType.

In response to this request, the USPS Server will return a list of postage services available for mailing your package. You can access these services through the ServiceListNetCharge, ServiceType, and ServiceTypeDescription properties. The number of PostalZones between the SenderZipCode and RecipientZipCode will also be returned, along with any Restrictions for mailing to APO/FPO addresses.

To use this class to receive rate information for international shipments, simply set the PackageWeight, PackageType, and RecipientCountryCode, and then call GetRates.

For International rates, the following properties may be returned:

• ServiceType
• ServiceTypeDescription
• ServiceCommitments
• ServiceMaxDimensions
• ServiceMaxWeight
• ServiceListNetCharge
• ServiceInsuranceCost
• ServiceInsuranceComment
• ServiceIndemnityCoverage

Please note that in most cases international packages may need a Customs Declaration form, and packages may also be subject to mailing restrictions unique to the destination country. To assist you with this important information, the International Rates class will return all the necessary mailing Restrictions, Prohibitions, and Observations, names of required CustomsForms, as well as delivery AreasServed.

To use this class, you must have a USPS account. You should also have already obtained a USPSUserId and USPSPassword uniquely assigned to your account by USPS.

This class also includes Endicia support to obtain rates through their web services. To use this service, you must have an Endicia USPSAccountNumber. You should also have already obtained a USPSUserId and USPSPassword uniquely assigned to your account by Endicia. The PostageProvider property must be set to ppEndicia to tell the class to use the Endicia protocol.