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Why did USPS charge my recipient "Postage Due" to receive their package?
Why did USPS charge my recipient "Postage Due" to receive their package?

Learn what you can do if your recipient has been charged to receive a package you sent to them

Updated over a week ago

When purchasing postage, you are required to enter accurate packaging, dimensions, weight, and address data because it's what the cost of shipping is based on.

  • USPS Verifies for Correct Postage: While your package is en route, USPS will verify that you've purchased the correct amount of postage for your package. To do this, USPS uses the Automated Package Verification (APV) System, which will automatically charge your Pirate Ship account for any postage owed.

USPS sometimes charges recipients for postage owed

  • Not All USPS Packages Pass Through the APV System: Not every package goes through these automated verification machines, and sometimes a local Post Office will notice an underpayment and collect payment the old-fashioned way—in person, with your recipient having to pay the difference when they try to pick up the package 😥

  • Our Hooks ARRrrr Tied: Unfortunately, Pirate Ship doesn't have any control over this process 😕 To receive their package in these situations, your recipient will need to pay their local Post Office the amount due.

  • Chat With Us If You Feel USPS Made a Mistake: Of course, everybody is human and sometimes Post Offices make mistakes. If your recipient paid to receive your package and it doesn't seem right, please chat with our customer support.

    • Photos of the Receipt Help: If possible, having a photo of the receipt showing the amount of the postage paid can help us understand what happened and see if the Post Office made the correct adjustment. We're here to help make things right if we can!

UPS follows a similar process

  • UPS Surcharges Apply to Packages with Incorrect Postage: If you don't enter the correct weight and dimensions, UPS packages are also subject to surcharges that you will see reflected in your Pirate Ship account.

Import taxes & customs duties are different from postage due

  • Recipients Paying for International Shipments: If your international recipient needs to pay to collect their package, please note that these are import taxes and customs duties, which are completely different from having to pay for extra postage due 😉

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