USPS on January 2nd  made unexpected changes to their API which will effect all shopping carts using USPS real time shipping quotes.

Shopping Carts Affected:
1. OSCommerce
2. CRE Loaded
3. Zen Cart

Current Issues:

1. USPS Domestic (within USA):
a. Saving the shipping method names strangely when viewed in admin. For example, it is saving names like this now: United States Postal Service (1 x 0.1lbs) (0lbs, 1.6oz) (Priority Mail<sup>®</sup>)
b. Issues viewing/printing orders/ invoice/packing slip in admin due to the above.
c. Customers complaining that they selected one method / price, but would be saved & charged as a different method / price (i.e. shows PRIORITY $5, but saves / charges as EXPRESS $10).

2. USPS International (outside USA):
a. Not showing international method rates any longer.

We have been able to determine that this issue was caused by a change made by USPS on January 2nd, 2011 as to how  method names are passed back for real time quotes. These differences in names include minor changes to method names and includes various HTML code that should NOT be passed back.

We have been working around the clock and we do have a solution and are doing rush repair jobs for clients.

USPS Retiring Current API:

In an email received from USPS on December 12, 2010, USPS notified us of upcoming changes to their current USPS Shipping API (quote system). Of the various changes they will be making to their systems, the one item which does effect everyone who is offering USPS Shipping quotes on their site is:

Rate, RateV2, RateV3 and IntlRate will be retired in May 2011, requiring all integrators to migrate to the latest versions.

Most clients currently have RateV3 installed, thus prior to May 2011 will require an upgrade from your current USPS Shipping Module to the new replacement one using RateV4 BEFORE May 2011 to ensure your customers will continue to receive real time shipping rates.

This new version will address a number of updates including:

- Upgrade to DOMESTIC RateV4.
– Upgrade to INTERNATIONAL RateV2.
– Address all Method Name changes seen above.
– Patch USPS Insurance portion of module to ensure if insurance is turned off, that customers will still see various methods USPS does NOT offer insurance on.

We are working towards a fix at this time. Unfortunately, USPS clearly states they are discontinuing support for RateV3 system and indicate you must upgrade to RateV4. USPS has YET to release any reference documentation for RateV4 so this is causing a delay in developing a fix.

This recent change on January 2nd without prior notification, in addition with to the notification of “end of life” for RateV3 without the supporting RateV4 API documentation being available, has been creating some havoc for all website owners who offer USPS Real Time Shipping Quotes.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

We’ve started an all new shopping cart mash-up! Cartrocket!

Cartrocket is based on open source shopping carts, but we took our years of experience of working with Os-Commerce, Zen Cart, CRE Loaded and other shopping systems and combined it with all of the features we’ve developed over the years to make one great new shopping cart!

Stay tuned !