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UPS® Ground Saver: Everything You Need to Know
UPS® Ground Saver: Everything You Need to Know

UPS Ground Saver is an economy ground service designed for low-value, non-urgent shipments that are being shipped to U.S. addresses

Updated yesterday

UPS Ground Saver is specially designed for low-value shipments that need reliable delivery 🎉

Why use UPS Ground Saver?

There ARRrrr a few reasons why we recommend using UPS Ground Saver whenever possible. With Ground Saver, you'll be able to:

  • Save money: As the most affordable UPS service, Ground Saver is the perfect option to save even more money on domestic shipments that aren't time-sensitive. This way, you keep more loot in your pocket while offering delivery that your customers can count on!

  • Ship to PO Boxes: UPS Ground Saver is the only UPS service that you can use to ship to PO Boxes

  • Ship to U.S. Territories & Military Addresses: UPS Ground Saver also gives you the option to use UPS to ship to U.S. Territories, and U.S. Military Addresses all over the world 🌎

What are the basics of UPS Ground Saver?

Here are the main points you need to know about UPS Ground Saver:

  • Most affordable UPS service: UPS Ground Saver is the most affordable UPS service on Pirate Ship

  • Delivery 7 days a week: Ground Saver packages can be delivered 7 days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays

  • Designed for lightweight & non-urgent shipments: UPS designed Ground Saver specifically for small & lightweight packages that don't require time-sensitive delivery

  • Delivered by either USPS or UPS: UPS Ground Saver shipments move throughout the UPS network and will be delivered by UPS, or in some cases will be handed to the local Post Office for last-mile delivery by USPS

  • UPS must receive all Ground Saver shipments: Ground Saver packages can only be dropped off/picked up with UPS and must not be dropped off with USPS despite the USPS barcode on the label

How to interpret a UPS Ground Saver label

UPS Ground Saver labels look a bit different from regular UPS labels, since USPS handles the last-mile delivery in some cases. Within them, you'll find two different tracking numbers, as well as a couple of different addresses that may be confusing 🙈

Using the image below, here's a breakdown of each different part of a Ground Saver label:

  1. Your Ship From Address

  2. The address of the local Post Office where UPS will deliver it to

  3. UPS Tracking Number for UPS' portion of the journey

  4. Your recipient's delivery address

  5. USPS Tracking Number for the last-mile delivery (your Ground Saver label will come with a USPS tracking number regardless of whether or not UPS tenders the package to USPS; if USPS receives the package for last-mile delivery, the tracking number will activate on the USPS website)

UPS® Ground Saver packages must be given to UPS, not USPS

While your UPS Ground Saver label may come with a USPS barcode at the bottom, you cannot drop off the package at the Post Office or schedule a USPS pickup.

All UPS Ground Saver packages must be given only to UPS. Here are some options for getting your package to UPS:

  • Schedule a pickup for your package with UPS On-Call Pickup®

  • Drop off your package at any of The UPS Store® locations

  • Drop off your package at a UPS® Drop Box location or at a UPS Access Point® location, which you can find at Michaels, CVS, Advance Auto Parts, and other local retailers

What happens if I give my UPS Ground Saver package to USPS?

To avoid any risk in the routing of your packages, be sure to always tender your UPS Ground Saver packages to UPS only.

How can I track UPS Ground Saver packages?

There are several options for tracking your Ground Saver packages:

  • Follow along in Pirate Ship: Like all other UPS shipments, you'll see all tracking updates on your shipment page in Pirate Ship, from the time of purchasing your label to your package's delivery. Here's an example of how that looks:

  • Follow along on the UPS website: You can also keep an eyepatch on tracking updates on the UPS website for more detailed information 😉 To visit the UPS tracking page, click the blue tracking number on your shipment page in Pirate Ship like we've highlighted in the above image.

Requesting a Return to Sender for Ground Saver shipments

You can request a Return to Sender (RTS) for a Ground Saver shipment only if your package's last tracking update is from UPS. Here's what you need to know about requesting an RTS for Ground Saver shipments:

  • Requesting a Return to Sender: When you request a Return to Sender for a Ground Saver package that UPS is still in possession of, the package will be sent to the Ship From address you provided on your original label.

  • Rerouting or Holding a Package: Unfortunately, you can't reroute a Ground Saver shipment or have it held by either UPS or USPS.

Insurance works differently from normal UPS shipments

UPS Ground Saver labels on Pirate Ship come with $100 of carrier liability. However, that coverage only applies to the portion of the journey when UPS has the package.

  • UPS Carrier Liability Applies to UPS Only: If USPS takes over delivery for the "last mile" of a Ground Saver shipment, UPS isn't responsible for it anymore. As such, that $100 of UPS carrier liability no longer exists.

Protect your Ground Saver shipment by purchasing extra insurance

As is the case with all packages, we recommend purchasing extra insurance for Ground Saver shipments! There are three main benefits to purchasing extra insurance through Pirate Ship:

  • Higher Declared Value: With third-party insurance, you can declare a value of up to $5,000 per shipment instead of being limited to $100 of UPS carrier liability.

  • Broader Coverage: Third-party insurance covers the package during its entire journey, not just when UPS is in possession of it.

  • Easy Claim Filing: When you buy insurance through Pirate Ship, the process for filing a claim doesn't change at all, no matter which carrier was handling the package if it arrives damaged or gets lost in transit.

UPS will return damaged shipments before handing them to USPS

UPS is strict about not handing any damaged packages off to USPS for last-mile delivery. Their process for handling Ground Saver shipments is as follows:

  • UPS Inspects Each Shipment: UPS inspects every Ground Saver package before they hand it to USPS, and they won't tender a package to USPS if they see that it's damaged.

  • If a Package is Damaged: If UPS determines that a Ground Saver shipment is damaged, they will mark the package "Return to Sender" and will deliver it back to you. You'll then be able to file a claim against the $100 of included UPS carrier liability.

Limitations & things to keep in mind

Here are some guidelines and limitations for UPS Ground Saver packages:

You can ship to PO Boxes, Military Addresses, & U.S. Territories

Since UPS partners with USPS to handle last-mile delivery for some UPS Ground Saver shipments, this service gives you the ability to use UPS to ship to PO Boxes, Military Addresses, and U.S. Territories except Puerto Rico.

  • How UPS Ground Saver Reaches Military Addresses: USPS is typically the only carrier that can deliver to these destinations. However, with USPS sometimes handling last-mile delivery, UPS Ground Saver shipments can be delivered to these destinations, too 🙌

  • Limitations for Origin Addresses: While UPS Ground Saver allows you to ship to PO Boxes, Military Addresses, and U.S. Territories, you can't use this service when shipping from any of these locations.

    • You can only ship with UPS Ground Saver when using origin addresses located in the continental United States (or contiguous 48 states).

Maximum size & weight limits

Ground Saver shipments come with specific size and weight limitations. They are as follows:

  • Minimum & Maximum Dimensions: Packages must be at least 4” high, 6” long, and .75” wide (4 x 6 x 0.75") and may not exceed 130” in length & girth combined

  • Single Dimension Length: No one dimension can exceed 60” in length

  • Maximum Weight: The maximum allowable weight for Ground Saver shipments is 70 lbs per package

  • Minimum Billable Weight: Ground Saver shipments that weigh less than 8 oz will be subject to a minimum billable weight of 8 oz

Note: If you ship a package with UPS Ground Saver that exceeds any of the above weight and size restrictions, UPS will hit you with an "Over Maximum Limits" surcharge, which is $1,250 😱

Signature Confirmation isn't available

UPS doesn't support Signature Confirmation for UPS Ground Saver packages 😅

  • If You Choose Signature Confirmation: If you select Signature Confirmation when creating your label, then UPS Ground Saver won't appear as a service to ship with.

  • How Packages are Delivered: Ground Saver packages are left at your recipient’s location without obtaining any signature, and UPS/USPS will only make one delivery attempt.

Rubber Stamps aren't supported

Unfortunately, UPS doesn't allow you to add rubber stamps to Ground Saver labels.

Packages are subject to both UPS & USPS policies

UPS Ground Saver is unique because your package may be subject to policies from both UPS and USPS, depending on whether USPS handles the last-mile delivery.

  • Fees Can Be Specific to USPS or UPS: You may see different fees depending on which carrier is handling the package. For instance, once your package officially enters the USPS system, you may be subject to fees that USPS imposes in certain scenarios 😇

  • Some Scenarios Where You May Incur Fees: Some situations when you may incur a fee from USPS on a Ground Saver package include when USPS needs to forward the shipment from an old address to a new one, return the package to you because it was undeliverable, etc.

Surcharges may still apply

As is the case with all UPS shipments, surcharges may apply to UPS Ground Saver packages. However, your package may incur surcharges specific to this service. Those surcharges are as follows:

  • Non-Standard Cube Charge: Applies to any package with Length x Width x Height measuring more than 2 cubic feet (3456 cubic inches)

  • Non-Standard Length Charge: Any package where the longest side measures more than 22 inches and not exceeding 30 inches

  • Non-Standard Extra Length Charge: Any package where the longest side measures more than 30 inches and not exceeding 48 inches

Learn more about the UPS surcharges you may incur on Pirate Ship.

Get in touch with us if you have any questions

That's everything you need to know about UPS Ground Saver, Matey! If you have any questions, click the blue button to chat with our Support Crew or send us an email at support@pirateship.com - we'll help get you sailing in the right direction ⛵

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