What is Parcel Return Service?
Parcel Return Service (PRS) is one of several USPS Return Services offerings for commercial shippers and partners. PRS benefits merchants by providing a competitive pricing returns solution for the end customers. Returns items are tendered by the end consumer to the USPS via carrier pickup or drop off at a local Post Office for pickup by the merchant.
Parcel Return Service is only available through a Negotiated Service Agreement (NSA) (709.1.0). Please contact a USPS Sales Representative for eligible locations. Additional product details can be found at https://postalpro.usps.com/shipping/prs-guide.
Parcel Return Service Features
- Quicker, lower cost, consolidated return service for merchants
- Two options with numerous locations for merchants to pick up:
- Parcel Return Delivery Unit (Parcel RDU)
- Parcel Return Processing Facilities (Parcel RPF)
- Merchants can electronically monitor the status of returned parcels
- Merchants can schedule collection at their convenience using the FAST appointment scheduler
- Consumers can use Track and Confirm to check when the merchant has received the package
Parcel Return Service Process for the Consumer
- Sender must affix the return label
- Parcels can be returned by:
- Taking it to any local Post Office location
- Handing it directly to any Postal carrier
- Placing it in a Blue Collection Box
- Scheduling a Package Pickup
- Enter tracking number in Track and Confirm to check delivery of item back to the merchant
How is Parcel Return Service Used?
Becoming a participant
A merchant or agent that wishes to participate can fill out the enrollment form located under the Parcel Return Service header at https://www.usps.com/business/return-services.htm or follow these instructions.
Affixing the PRS label with postage
If a Parcel Return Services (PRS) label is used on a package, the Postal Service will charge the merchant the appropriate PRS price, regardless of any additional postage that may be applied to the package. The merchant is already paying for the postage, so there is no need to affix postage to the parcel.
Parcel Return Service (PRS) applies to parcels that are picked up in bulk by authorized permit holders or their agents. Permit holders guarantee payment of postage for all parcels mailed with a PRS label. By providing an approved PRS label to its customers, the merchant or other party designates the permit holder identified on the label as their agent for receipt of mail bearing that label, and authorizes the USPS to provide that mail to the permit holder or its designee.
Label format examples
The following are Parcel Return Service (PRS) label format examples. Elements found on the label include:
- Legend identifies the service offering.
- Parcel Return Services Barcode is used for sorting and manifesting.
- Address of the desired pick-up location of either the RDU (Return Delivery Units) or the RSCF (Return Sectional Center Facilities).
- Mailer Identification identifies the shipper or agent.
e. Sample UPS Mail Innovations 56935 Parcel Return Service label
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Call Tag Return Service
- Call Tag Return Service is a return tag (label) option. Consumers shipping packages back to their retailer may receive return labels delivered by the Postal Service™.
- This option allows permit holders to request electronically an applicable USPS® return label for their permit, to be generated and delivered by USPS to their customer (end-user). The customer using the return label can return their package without paying a fee or going to a retail postal unit for mailing.
