Overview
USPS Ship and PC Postage are both USPS integrations available through EasyPost, but they differ in account setup, billing behavior, and feature support.
This article highlights the key differences to help determine which integration is best suited for specific shipping needs.
Account Setup and Billing
| Feature | PC Postage | USPS Ship |
| Account Ownership | EasyPost-managed | USPS-managed (OAuth) |
| Setup | Automatically available | Requires USPS authorization |
| Billing | EasyPost Wallet | EasyPost Wallet (USPS-managed rates and fees) |
| Rate Source | EasyPost rate cards | USPS-configured rates |
Key Behavioral Differences
| Feature | USPS Ship | PC Postage | Notes |
| Parcel Dimensions Required | Yes | No | USPS Ship requires length, width, and height for rating |
| Delivery Date in Rates | Yes | No | USPS Ship returns delivery_date during rating |
| Label Default Format | PNG | Both support PDF, PNG, ZPL | |
| Post-Manifest Refunds | 10% fee applied | Full refund | USPS takes a 10% fee for unused manifested labels |
| Machinability Detection | Manual | Automatic | USPS Ship does not infer machinability from parcel dimensions |
| Rating Source | Live API | Rate tables | USPS Ship retrieves rates directly from USPS systems |
Feature Support Differences
The following features are supported differently between USPS Ship and PC Postage:
| Feature | USPS Ship | PC Postage | Notes |
| Registered Mail | Not supported | Supported | |
| Surcharges | Supported | Supported | |
| Pickups | Not supported | Supported | |
| Machinability Handling | Manual | Automatic | Must be explicitly set for USPS Ship |
| First Class Letters & Flats Tracking | Not supported | Supported | Tracking not returned for USPS Ship |
| First Class Letters & Flats Label Formats | PDF, PNG | PDF, PNG, ZPL | USPS Ship does not support ZPL for First Class Letters & Flats |
Carrier Account Type Reference
The following carrier account types may appear in API responses or carrier account objects.
| Carrier Account Type | Description |
UspsShipAccount |
USPS Ship carrier account |
UspsShipPlatformAccount |
USPS Ship platform/end merchant account |
USPS |
PC Postage USPS account |
Shared Features
Both USPS Ship and PC Postage support many core capabilities, including:
- Label Broker
- Hazardous Materials (Hazmat)
- Adult Signature and Delivery Confirmation
- Live Animal shipments
- Certified Mail and Return Receipt
- ScanForms and future dating
- First Class Letters & Flats (label generation)
- Library and Media Mail
- Priority and international services
- Print custom fields (
print_custom_1-3) - Endorsements
- Label formats: PDF, PNG, ZPL
When to Use Each Integration
Use PC Postage when:
- Minimal setup is preferred
- EasyPost-managed billing and rates are sufficient
- Features such as pickups, surcharges, or registered mail are required
Use USPS Ship when:
- A USPS contract with negotiated rates is required
- Direct control over USPS rates is required
- Delivery dates are required during rating
- Advanced configurations, such as child user segmentation, are required
FAQs
Q: Why are parcel dimensions required for USPS Ship but not PC Postage?
USPS Ship retrieves live rates directly from USPS systems, which require parcel dimensions (length, width, and height) to calculate pricing.
PC Postage may currently return rates using weight only. USPS is expected to require dimensions for PC Postage shipments beginning July 12, 2026.
Q: Why is there a fee when refunding a USPS Ship label after manifest?
USPS takes a 10% fee for unused labels that are refunded after manifest. This fee is deducted from the refund amount returned to the EasyPost Wallet.
Q: Why is machinability not automatically determined for USPS Ship shipments?
USPS Ship does not automatically determine machinability based on parcel attributes. Machinability must be explicitly set when required.
Q: Why is the label format different between USPS Ship and PC Postage?
Both integrations support PDF, PNG, and ZPL formats. USPS Ship defaults to PDF, while PC Postage defaults to PNG.
Q: Why are pickups not available for USPS Ship?
Pickups are not currently supported for USPS Ship through EasyPost. Support for USPS Ship pickups is planned for a future release.
Pickup scheduling is currently available when using PC Postage.
Q: Why is tracking not returned for First Class letters and flats in USPS Ship?
USPS Ship does not currently return tracking for First Class letters and flats, even though label generation is supported.