What Is the Difference Between USPS and UPS Shipping Labels?

If you want your package to get to the recipient without a hitch, it must have a proper shipping label. There are many kinds of shipping labels to choose from; in this article, we will focus on the difference between USPS and UPS shipping labels.

A shipping label is a sticker or a piece of paper that contains the information that a carrier needs to transport a package to its end destination. This includes recipient information (name, delivery address, phone number), shipper information (name, return address, phone number), package weight, description of contents (for international packages), level of service, a tracking number, a barcode, and sometimes other information based on the circumstances. The shipping barcode contains identifying information from the shipping label in encoded form for processing and tracking purposes; it is used for automated package processing.

The main difference between USPS and UPS shipping labels is that they are issued by two different, although similarly named, carriers. The acronym USPS stands for the United States Postal Service. It is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for providing postal service in the country. In other words, it is the national postal agency of the United States. The acronym UPS stands for United Parcel Service; it is an American shipping company that provides package delivery services both within the United States and internationally.

Delivery via the USPS is usually a little slower but cheaper, while delivery via UPS is faster but more expensive. Of course, this rule of thumb only works when you compare similar shipping services, for example, USPS Ground Advantage to UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail Express to UPS Next Day Air. Cost-wise, the USPS is typically a better option for smaller packages, while UPS is usually more cost-effective for larger and/or heavier packages.

USPS and UPS shipping labels may look alike because most shipping labels in general have a similar structure, but this does not mean that they are interchangeable. A shipping label, among other things, usually serves as proof that you paid the required fee for shipping services. When you purchase a USPS shipping label, your money goes to the United States Postal Service; when you purchase a UPS shipping label, your money goes to UPS. Naturally, a carrier will not deliver your package if you have paid the other carrier to deliver it.

What will happen if you accidentally leave a prepaid package with a UPS shipping label at a USPS drop-off location, or vice versa? Of course, the USPS will not deliver a UPS package straight to the recipient, neither will UPS deliver a USPS package. However, they do have solutions in place to handle packages that are accidentally or mistakenly dropped off at the wrong place because this happens every day. Most drop-off locations will have the other shipping carrier pick up misplaced shipping packages. These pick-ups usually happen daily, so there is a chance your package will be delivered by its intended carrier with only a slight delay.

Where can you get a USPS or UPS shipping label? There are three main ways to purchase a shipping label for your package:

• At the counter in a USPS Post Office or UPS Store.
• Online directly from the carrier using the Click-N-Ship service for USPS shipping labels or your UPS.com account for UPS labels.
• Using a third-party shipping label service such as PostageMaker.

The main advantage of PostageMaker and other similar services is that they allow to generate both USPS or UPS labels depending on your needs and has a shipping calculator to help you choose the best shipping service. Besides, PostageMaker offers shipping discounts up to 50% off USPS and UPS retail rates.