Confirm your USPS negotiated (NSA) rates are used in rate shopping

Summary: Rate shopping uses whichever USPS rate set is active on your account. Your negotiated (NSA) rates apply only after they are loaded and connected; until then, rate shopping uses standard published rates. Test a known lane and compare to the published rate to confirm.

Answer

An NSA is a USPS Negotiated Service Agreement, which gives you rates below the standard published rates. Rate shopping returns whatever USPS rate set is active for your account. The negotiated rates apply only once they are loaded and connected for the account (through the USPS API or a partner). Until then, rate shopping uses the standard published USPS rates.

How to check which rates you are getting

1. Confirm your USPS NSA rates have been provided and loaded for your account.
2. Pick a known lane and weight to test (origin, destination, and package weight).
3. Rate shop that shipment and note the USPS service and amount.
4. Compare the amount to the USPS published rate for the same lane, service, and weight.
5. If the amount is below the published rate, your negotiated rates are being used. If it matches the published rate, the negotiated rates are not in effect yet, so arrange to finish the NSA rate connection.

What you should see

A rate shop for a known lane and weight returns a USPS amount below the published rate for the same service, and repeats give consistent negotiated amounts.

Related articles

• Ask Shipstore to set up a USPS account for you