Legitimate international shipments are being caught in the crossfire of a sweeping U.S. Postal Service (USPS) crackdown on fraudulent postage labels, leaving e-commerce sellers facing unexpected delays and operational headaches.
The intensified enforcement campaign, which began June 14, has implemented upgraded postal verification systems that conduct frequent random checks on whether payment timestamps match actual package scanning times. Even fully compliant merchants report shipment holds due to "postage assessment delays" as the new system casts a wide net across the logistics industry.
The Technical Core of the Crackdown
USPS regulations now strictly require that a package's "ship date" must correlate precisely with its postage payment time, with all payments required before noon on the shipping day. When the system detects scanning activity occurring before corresponding payment records - a hallmark of fraudulent labels - it automatically flags shipments for manual review.
The policy specifically targets "water-running labels," a scheme where bad actors exploit timing gaps to generate fake postage documentation before physically moving packages. These practices have long undermined fair competition by artificially reducing logistics costs through systematic fraud.
Collateral Damage for Compliant Shippers
Industry monitoring shows a 200-300% increase in held packages between June 14-16, with legitimate shipments experiencing 1-2 additional business days in transit times. The indiscriminate nature of the random checks has created logistical bottlenecks at multiple distribution centers.
With USPS yet to announce an end date for the enhanced verification measures, affected packages may face extended holding periods. The postal service advises that properly paid shipments will automatically resume transit after internal verification, though merchants may submit review requests if delays exceed 72 hours.
Operational Recommendations for Merchants
The crackdown underscores critical compliance requirements in cross-border logistics synchronization. Industry experts recommend these protective measures:
- Strict payment timing: Complete all postage payments before physical scanning, maintaining clear documentation of transaction times
- Process automation: Implement digital payment systems to minimize human error in time-sensitive transactions
- Carrier coordination: Maintain open communication channels with logistics providers for policy updates and exception handling
- Contingency planning: Diversify shipping options and adjust inventory strategies to mitigate potential delays
The enforcement action represents USPS's most aggressive move yet against postal fraud, signaling a broader industry shift toward tightened compliance standards. While creating short-term disruption, the measures aim to establish long-term market fairness - requiring merchants to prioritize operational transparency in their shipping practices.