USPS looks to end dual shipping labels | Supply Chain Dive

The agency submitted a proposal to eliminate the practice as it transforms its relationships with shipping partners like UPS and DHL.

The U.S. Postal Service aims to discontinue its use of dual shipping labels, the agency said in a proposal published in the Federal Register on Friday.

Under the proposed change, first reported by Value Added Resource, the Postal Service would adjust its standards to prevent shippers from using dual shipping labels. Parcels with those labels "should not be accepted and may be returned to the sender," according to the agency.

The Postal Service said the use of dual shipping labels no longer serves its interests but didn't elaborate further as to why it wants to eliminate the practice. The agency wants to implement the change on Jan. 1, 2025.

The Postal Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dual shipping labels identify the Postal Service and a private carrier as possible delivery providers for a shipment. They allow shipping partners to decide after accepting items for processing whether they will fulfill the delivery themselves or pass it off to the Postal Service, the agency said in 2018. Packages shipped through UPS SurePost, for example, are either delivered by a UPS driver or a Postal Service courier.

The Postal Service has transformed its relationships this year with shipping partners like UPS and DHL — who leverage the carrier for final-mile delivery of some packages — as it looks to increase its network's efficiency and gain more direct customers through USPS Ground Advantage.

Public comments on the proposal can be submitted on or before Nov. 14. Details on how to submit a comment are available on the Federal Register.