What is a USPS Postal Qualified Wholesaler (PQW)?

What is a USPS Postal Qualified Wholesaler (PQW)? What should I look for in a USPS PQW? How can I locate a USPS PQW? These are just some of the questions I hear daily from companies in the United States and I will cover these aspects in this article.

A USPS Postal Qualified Wholesaler (PQW) is a distinction given to very few commercial shippers in the United States. This designation provides assurance to businesses that this business (PQW) has undergone a rigorous vetting process with the United States Postal Service. It conveys a level of confidence that the PQW’s operational processes fully comply with all United States Postal Service data and mail preparation requirements. The PQW must undergo a rigorous selection process, meet certain volume requirements, and demonstrate the ability to prepare manifests and transmit the appropriate electronic data to USPS acceptance facilities.

USPS qualified postal wholesalers have access to mass mailing products offered by USPS that are not available to the general public. In essence, a PQW levels the playing field for many small business shippers, allowing them access to discounts typically reserved for only the largest shippers in the country.

USPS PQWs will have access to various levels of service, including the following:

• USPS Priority Air Mail International (3-7 days transit time) – This service is perfect for business shippers looking to send urgent items abroad. Typical senders using this service would send bills, statements, financial documents, and e-retailers. This is the perfect service for businesses that sell products on eBay and Amazon to ensure timely delivery of their customers’ orders and save a significant amount on shipping costs.
• USPS International Surface Airlift (Transit Time 7-14 days) – This service is perfect for couriers that have less urgent material that is sent internationally. This is a perfect service for companies that send applications, magazines, newsletters and newspapers.

What should you look for in a qualified USPS postal wholesaler? While there are several PQWs in the United States, only a couple of them fit the following recommended criteria:

Rentals, Rentals, Rentals

When selecting a qualified postal wholesaler, you need to make sure you select one that has multiple locations. Disaster recovery is increasingly important in today’s global economy. Working with a PQW that has locations spread across the United States will ensure your mail moves regardless of your local situation, as you found on the East Coast of the US during Hurricane Sandy when most of the US East Coast The ability to mail your material, even during natural disasters, is a great way to stay ahead of your competition.

software integration

Working with a PQW that integrates directly with your current software platform makes sense. For eCommerce businesses using Endicia, Shipstation, Shipworks, Sellercloud, Teapplix and all the other order management systems out there; you shouldn’t have to switch to another software platform to use that PQW’s service. It is the PQW’s responsibility to integrate directly with your software application. If they don’t integrate with your current app, use a different PQW.

Create shipment control documents online

Today, using paper documents as evidence of your shipment with that PQW is inconvenient and ridiculous today. A shipping department shouldn’t close because they didn’t realize they used their last pre-printed shipping control document. Make sure your PQW can provide you with a customer username and password so you can create your shipment control documents and view your past shipment history online. In today’s electronic age, if your PQW doesn’t have this basic feature, you need to find a different one.

Volume, Volume, Volume

Be sure to ask your PQW how often they send shipments to the USPS International Sorting Center (ISC). Not all PQWs have the same volume, some may only drop off mail at an International Sorting Center once or twice a week. Make sure the PQW leaves the mail with the USPS ISC at least once a day. Some PQWs send mail multiple times throughout the day to ISCs. The more frequently you bring your mail to the ISCs, the faster your mail will get to its final destination.

How do I locate a PQW?

Start with your USPS Global Account Manager, they are experts in international mail solutions and will be able to help you through the selection process. If you’re not familiar with your Global Account Manager, get their contact information from your USPS Shipping Solutions Specialist. Knowing that your PQW has a healthy and active relationship with their USPS representatives speaks volumes about their ability to provide the services you are looking for.