The U.S. Postal Service filed a case with the Postal Rate Commission yesterday for an experimental Parcel Return Service.
If the PRC and the Board of Governors approve the service, it would let the USPS offer reduced rates to shippers. The service applies to merchandise being returned by a consumer to a merchant.
The merchant, or an agent on the merchant's behalf, would pick up returned parcels at a designated bulk mail center or delivery unit as opposed to having the packages delivered directly to the merchant. Rates would recognize the savings generated by the merchant's pickup of the package.
The USPS has said that the service aims to complement services provided by package consolidators for their customers.
