USPS2 Not Providing Rates

nicolas wrote: Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.

- For the name of the services in the plugin settings, I've made a modification for this for the next version of the plugin.

- For the plugin version, same, I've made a modification for this for the next version.

- For the name of the services in the email and order details in the backend, I'm not able to reproduce the issue anymore. I don't see why @gpraceman would still have the issue. Could you please double check ? Do you also have the issue @jazzmang ?

- Regarding "if you have a "FIRST-CLASS_MAIL" check, you can only receive FIRST-CLASS_MAIL rates", I'm also not able to reproduce the problem. I've tested the current version of the plugin with both package services and the new FIRST-CLASS_MAIL services checked, and when the product in the cart had dimensions and weight of a letter or flat I would get the FIRST-CLASS_MAIL service rate, and when they would exceed the limits of a flat, the plugin then switched automatically to package rates. Could you please double check ?

- Regarding the Priority Mail rate being high, I'm surprised you get these results. I actually have the rate for Priority Mail just a few dollars above the rate for Ground Advantage on my tests. Could it be you have "NONSTANDARD" selected, or the "Has non standard characteristics" checkbox checked on your end which would lead to the high Priority Mail rate on your end ?
I also can't compare to the old plugin on my end as I don't have a USPS WebTools User ID. The old USPS plugin was made by a third party developer and donated to us years ago. We only maintained the plugin.
This might require checking the situation directly on your website with some backend and FTP access in order to really understand what's going on.

Strange. I made some minor tweaks to the product dimensions for my test products and now the Priority Mail rate is cheaper than the Priority Mail Express rate (as it should be).

#1 - The text, instead of variable names, now appears in the plugin correctly.

#2 - The 0.5oz decal with dimensions of L3.25in x W1.25in x 0.1in is still not yielding any results. The debug file just says

USPS 2: No shipping services available for the shipping address provided.
09.17.25 19:19:01

USPS 2: No shipping services available for the shipping address provided.
09.17.25 19:27:06

USPS 2: No shipping services available for the shipping address provided.

I tried with Version 1.3.1 of the plugin and do now see that plain text is being used instead of the variable names.

nicolas wrote: Potentially, we could add a third option "auto" to the "processing category" setting, so that it would accept any rate from USPS, as long as it is returned, and if several are returned, it would provide the cheapest for the service. What do you think ?

I had some time to do some testing, and it seems to be better, but I need to do more.

I think there might be something not quite right with letters/first-class mail, but I haven't been able to isolate it yet.

It will be a few days before I can test and provide further updates.

Hi Nicolas,

Sorry, I'm late getting back to this.

I've been absolutely swamped, but found the situation with minimum volume/dimensions.

I connected first about this with the USPS API development team during one of their seminars.

They said there is a minimum per service, as noted at pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/welcome.htm .
I noted to them that there was no minimum, only a maximum, as with UPS Ground Advantage, and they said to figure it out.

From what I can test with USPS Ground, it is 1x1x1 inch for USPS Ground Advantage.
First-Class goes as low as 0.001 x 0.001 x 0.001 inch.

The problem arises when an order contains multiple small products, such as small paper-thin decals. Together, they can exceed the First-Class Mail weight limit (the total cart weight must stay under 1.5 oz because you still have to add the envelope, invoice, etc.), or they can exceed the USPS 3.5 oz max for letters (first-class mail) yet still remain below the Ground volume limit.

Simply setting all products to a minimum size of 1x1x1 creates issues with other services, so that is not a viable solution.

Adding dimension approximation (%) either has no effect or doesn't work - not sure which. It also doesn't seem like a good idea in general to use a %, as we need to ensure we meet a minimum. It would be better as a numeric value added to the cart total (cubic volume), not as a %, which can be very hit-or-miss.

The only other suggestion I have is to add the option to specify a minimum set of dimensions or volume to send to the API if the calculated products in the cart don't meet it. That way, we can at least set up a method that, when it falls into such a situation, triggers something like USPS Ground Advantage.

I think that will be much easier than determining the undocumented minimum cubic volume for all USPS services, while also providing flexibility to address situations like the one above.

We already have multiple methods set up to trigger specific USPS services under specific conditions, but they are weight-based, and the situation above is falling through the cracks because we cannot meet the minimum volume for some services, even though we will in reality.

We couldn't find the minimums in section 3.2.1 of pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm , which you mentioned.

It appears the 6" x 3" x 0.25" either is not kicking or something in the plung-in isn't working right.

I'm still encountering situations where it returns no rates or incorrect rates with the wrong processing category.

Stay with me, because below is the result of hours of trial and error and parsing USPS documentation.

I am also pretty sure we discovered a bug or two in which the weight unit is used with LETTERS and FLAT processingCategory.

It started with testing an item with one 3.75 x 0.313 x 0.028, 1.5oz, up to 8 of the same decal in the cart produced a first-class letter metered at $0.74.
That seems OK.

NOTE: it should be $0.78, not metered, when using retail, I believe, since Account Type is NONE

The quantity 9+ is where we first see a problem: no rate is returned.

In the debug log, it returns:

[message] => Provided dimensions do not meet minimum allowed for First Class Flats.
            [errors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [title] => Provided dimensions do not meet minimum allowed for First Class Flats.
                            [detail] =>
                            [code] => 030018

• USPS Account Type is NONE.
• Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, and First-Class Mail selected.
• Processing category is set to MACHINABLE (but setting it to ALL has the same results).
• The rate indicator restriction only has Single Piece selected.
• Price type is Retail

<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 0.03125
    [length] => 5
    [height] => 3.5
    [thickness] => 0.007
    [processingCategory] => LETTERS
)
</pre>

<h3>01.09.26 19:20:06</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 0.875
    [length] => 11.5
    [height] => 6.125
    [thickness] => 0.25
    [processingCategory] => LETTERS
)
</pre>
<h3>01.09.26 19:20:06</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [totalBasePrice] => 0.74
    [rates] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [SKU] => DFLL0XXXXR00010
                    [description] => First Class Letter Metered
                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                    [price] => 0.74
                    [weight] => 0.875
                    [fees] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [startDate] => 2025-10-05
                    [endDate] => 2026-01-17
                    [warnings] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [mailClass] => FIRST-CLASS_MAIL
                )

        )

)
</pre>

<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 3.5000625
    [length] => 11.5
    [height] => 6.125
    [thickness] => 0.25
    [processingCategory] => LETTERS
)
</pre>
<h3>01.09.26 19:29:57</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [apiVersion] => /prices/v3
    [error] => Array
        (
            [code] => 400
            [message] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Letters.
            [errors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [title] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Letters.
                            [detail] =>
                            [code] => 030014
                        )

                )

        )

)
</pre>
<h3>01.09.26 19:29:57</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [apiVersion] => /prices/v3
    [error] => Array
        (
            [code] => 400
            [message] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Letters.
            [errors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [title] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Letters.
                            [detail] =>
                            [code] => 030014
                        )

                )

        )

)
</pre>

<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 13
    [length] => 11.5
    [height] => 6.125
    [thickness] => 0.251
    [processingCategory] => FLATS
)
</pre>
<h3>01.09.26 19:38:34</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [totalBasePrice] => 5.04
    [rates] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [SKU] => DFXF0XXXXR00130
                    [description] => First Class Flats
                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                    [price] => 5.04
                    [weight] => 13
                    [fees] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [startDate] => 2025-10-05
                    [endDate] => 2026-01-17
                    [warnings] => Array
                        (
                        )

                    [mailClass] => FIRST-CLASS_MAIL
                )

        )

)
</pre>

<h3>01.09.26 19:44:16</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 13.001
    [length] => 11.5
    [height] => 6.125
    [thickness] => 0.251
    [processingCategory] => FLATS
)
</pre>
<h3>01.09.26 19:44:16</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [apiVersion] => /prices/v3
    [error] => Array
        (
            [code] => 400
            [message] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Flats.
            [errors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [title] => Provided weight exceeds maximum allowed for First Class Flats.
                            [detail] =>
                            [code] => 030015
                        )

                )

        )

)
</pre>

1. What we set the plug-in's pricing didn't matter for FLATS and LETTERS, the results always returned retail
2. What we set the processing category to didn't seem to matter, LETTERS and FLATS are not listed but are used - I expected ALL to be required to get FLATS and LETTERS results

Thanks.

Initial testing looks promising. I'll do more extensive testing later and report back.

For FLATS and LETTERS, is there a way to add a fixed weight (not a %) to the cart to account for the envelopes?

I tried using the formula field but couldn't make it work, and an additional weight % field would introduce too much variability.

We can and do restrict Hikashop methods by weight range to specifically target FLATS and LETTERS products, but the actual envelopes used are not factored into the weight submitted via the plugin to USPS.

That can change the actual weight on the scale and, in turn, affect prices when you go to the post office for these lower-weight services.

It may not sound like much, but even a standard #10 envelope adds 0.25 ounces, which can lead to higher-than-expected shipping costs when not factored in.

The LETTERS and FLATS envelopes used can vary slightly, but a seller typically standardizes on a specific envelope/package material so they know the weight & dimensions used in advance, regardless of the product content. e.g., plan envelopes, those with built-in padded/bubble wrap, or flat cardboard, are used to prevent bending.

The fixed additional weight isn't something we can add per product; it is a per-order thing, as the same envelopes are used regardless of the number of decals/products ordered (within the prescribed ranges). Nor does adding a fixed $ or % price to the shipping method work, as the order is ultimately subject to weight-based variability that affects the rate and the services returned.

Also, is there a way to require dimensions on products and variants to be entered, since dimensions are required for the new USPS plugin to work?

Employees have been trained for years not to take/enter dimensions on products, and requiring it is much more reliable than just telling them.

Retail and Commercial Pricing settings now work (cannot test Contract).

With LETTERS and FLATS, I cannot find a way to offer "Priority Mail" or "Priority Mail Express" for low-weight orders under 13oz (some people really want their items faster, not just cheaper). It just returns First-Class Mail regardless of the options enabled in the plugin.

USPS offers them ( simple example from their online lookup tool's results).

I've tried every Priority Mail and Express option in the plugin to get it to apply to low-weight items (under 13 oz), but no luck. It only returns on result in the debug.

But even above 13 oz, not all results are displayed in the cart when the options are checked in the plugin (and above 13 oz, the results are in the debug).

The Priority Mail option appears with the old plugin, side by side with the new plugin, for over 13oz and under 13oz.

In debug for over 13oz, I can see things like Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Machinable Small Flat Rate Box, Priority Mail Machinable Large Flat Rate Box APO/FPO/DPO, Priority Mail Machinable Single-piece, Priority Mail Machinable Medium Flat Rate Box, Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Express Padded Flat Rate Envelope, etc. results returned, but the prices are not displayed in the cart.

See attached debug sample for 1 lb order.

The only results we see in the cart are:
USPS (new) Priority Mail $11.90
USPS (new) USPS Ground Advantage $11.00
USPS (new) Priority Mail Express $33.40

That is, despite Priority Express Mail, Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, and First-Class Mail with Processing Category ALL, with the following Rate Indicator Restriction checked:

[DR] Dimensional Rectangular
[E4] Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope - Post Office To Addressee
[E6] Priority Mail Express Legal Flat Rate Envelope
[E7] Priority Mail Express Legal Flat Rate Envelope Sunday / Holiday
[FA] Legal Flat Rate Envelope
[FB] Medium Flat Rate Box/Large Flat Rate Bag
[FE] Flat Rate Envelope
[FP] Padded Flat Rate Envelope
[LF] USPS Connect® Local Flat Rate Box
[LL] USPS Connect® Local Large Flat Rate Bag
[LS] USPS Connect® Local Small Flat Rate Bag
[OS] Oversized
[PA] Priority Mail Express Single Piece
[PL] Large Flat Rate Box
[PM] Large Flat Rate Box APO/FPO/DPO
[SB] Small Flat Rate Bag
[SP] Single Piece

I'm not sure why only some results from the debug log aren't appearing in the cart, such as Priority Mail Express Machinable Single-piece or Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope. From the options above, I would expect them to be displayed.

For requests under 13oz, I cannot tell whether this is because we are missing something in the USPS API request, or because the API will only return results when the minimum dimensions or weight are met (i.e., above 13oz or over a max dimension). It may be a limitation of the new API, but a workaround is to allow the plugin to set minimum weight, length, width, and height for each shipping method.

But getting the results returned to show in the cart would be a priority.

FYI, we will need to use multiple shipping methods due to the girth + length limits of 108 inches (normal) and 130 inches (oversized), and set the cubic-inch restriction accordingly. This is to prevent grouping in an order with oversized items; otherwise, if you have 2 or more oversized items, no results are returned (bad request in debug).

FYI, I recommend a minimum to enable [DR] Dimensional Rectangular, [OS] Oversized, and [SP] Single Piece to get a decent range of USPS options, from letters to flats to parcels, when using Priority, Ground Advantage, and First-Class. This, in addition to "Processing Category" ALL.

Regarding the new packaging weight, I found it isn't included in the Restrictions maximum weight for a shipping method. It can cause the restriction to fail if you don't manually combine the two in the OTHER method when tiering. My recommendation would be to include the package weight in the restriction calculation.

With v1.5.2, I'm not getting any results to appear in the cart other than First-Class below 13oz.
i.e. USPS (new) First-Class Mail $3.00

That's the same as before.
However I do see other options in the debug results, however (snippet below).

<h3>01.14.26 15:51:25</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 0.313125
    [length] => 3.25
    [width] => 1
    [height] => 0.252
    [originZIPCode] => 21813
    [destinationZIPCode] => 66503
    [priceType] => RETAIL
    [mailClasses] => Array
        (
            [0] => ALL
        )

)
</pre>
<h3>01.14.26 15:51:25</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [rateOptions] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [totalBasePrice] => 11.9
                    [rates] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [description] => Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 11.9
                                    [weight] => 0.31313
                                    [dimWeight] => 0
                                    [fees] => Array
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [startDate] => 2025-10-05
                                    [endDate] => 2026-01-17
                                    [mailClass] => PRIORITY_MAIL
                                    [zone] => 06
                                    [productName] => Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
                                    [productDefinition] => 1-3 day specific delivery to all U.S. states and territories
                                    [processingCategory] => FLATS
                                    [rateIndicator] => FE
                                    [destinationEntryFacilityType] => NONE
                                    [SKU] => DPFE0XXXXR00700
                                )

                        )

                    [extraServices] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [extraService] => 910
                                    [name] => Certified Mail
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 5.3
                                    [warnings] => Array
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [SKU] => DXEX0XXXXRX0000
                                )

                            [1] => Array
                                (
                                    [extraService] => 955
                                    [name] => Return Receipt
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 4.4
                                    [warnings] => Array
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [SKU] => DXRX0XXXXRX0000
                                )

                            [2] => Array
                                (
                                    [extraService] => 911
                                    [name] => Certified Mail Restricted Delivery
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 13.7

<pre>Array
(
    [weight] => 8
    [length] => 42
    [width] => 1.188
    [height] => 1.125
    [originZIPCode] => 21813
    [destinationZIPCode] => 66503
    [priceType] => RETAIL
    [mailClasses] => Array
        (
            [0] => ALL
        )

)
</pre>
<h3>01.14.26 15:27:12</h3>
<pre>Array
(
    [rateOptions] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [totalBasePrice] => 50.7
                    [rates] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [description] => Priority Mail Nonstandard Single-piece
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 32.7
                                    [weight] => 8
                                    [dimWeight] => 0
                                    [fees] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => Array
                                                (
                                                    [name] => Nonstandard Length > 30
                                                    [SKU] => D812XXNXXXX0000
                                                    [price] => 18
                                                )

                                        )

                                    [startDate] => 2025-10-05
                                    [endDate] => 2026-01-17
                                    [mailClass] => PRIORITY_MAIL
                                    [zone] => 06
                                    [productName] => Priority Mail
                                    [productDefinition] => 1-3 day specific delivery to all U.S. states and territories
                                    [processingCategory] => NONSTANDARD
                                    [rateIndicator] => SP
                                    [destinationEntryFacilityType] => NONE
                                    [SKU] => DPXX0XXXXR06080
                                )

                        )

                    [extraServices] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [extraService] => 910
                                    [name] => Certified Mail
                                    [priceType] => RETAIL
                                    [price] => 5.3
                                    [warnings] => Array
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [SKU] => DXEX0XXXXRX0000
                                )

                            [1] => Array

FYI, after a fresh install of v1.5.1 on a site that had never had it installed, I found that the Shipping Services label text was missing.