USPS Web Tools™
Application Programming Interface
Reference
Document Version 1.0 (05/12/2008)

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ãCopyright 2008 United States Postal Service
Table of Contents
2 Open / Distribute Priority API
2.1 Open / Distribute Priority Request
2.2 Open / Distribute Priority Response.
Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open and Distribute provide alternatives for mailers who want to expedite the transportation of shipments of other classes of mail to mail processing facilities and destination delivery units (DDU). Mailers prepare the mailings according to standards for the enclosed class of mail; enclose the mail in USPS Priority Mail approved container for expedited service as either Express Mail Open and Distribute or Priority Mail Open and Distribute. The mailings are presented at a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or authorized location by the critical entry time for USPS shipment.
For additional information about Open and Distribute, please refer to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 705.16 at http://pe.usps.com/.
This document contains a Reference Guide to the Open and Distribute Labels APIs. See the Developer’s Guide to Web Tools APIs to learn the administrative process for gaining access to the Web Tools APIs as well as the basic mechanism for calling the APIs and processing the results. The Developer’s Guide also contains information on testing and trouble-shooting.
Priority Mail Open and Distribute shipments expedite movement of any class of mail (except Express Mail) between the domestic origin and destination postal facility. The service is designed exclusively for all classes of mail commingled into an approved USPS container. Postage is paid based on the weight of the entire contents of the Priority Mail Open and Distribute contain, excluding the tare weight of the container, and is zoned rated from the acceptance Post Office to the destination facility of the shipment. The shipments receive Priority Mail service from the origin facility to the destination facility. Once received at the destination facility, the container address label barcode is scanned and the enclosed mail is processed appropriately to the mail class.
Mailers prepare Priority Mail Open and Distribute shipments according to standards for the enclosed class of mail and present their shipments to the business mail entry unit in enough time for acceptance, processing, and dispatch to the appropriate unit before the critical entry time. Mailers must use the electronic format for Open and Distribute Service on address labels for Priority Mail Open and Distribute containers, in accordance with requirements in Publication 91, Confirmation Services Technical Guide.
|
Drop Shipment Destination Facility |
<FacilityType/> |
<ToFacilityName/> |
<ToFacilityAddress2/> |
<ToFacilityCity/> |
<ToFacilityZip5/> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Destination Delivery Unit |
DDU |
Required |
Required |
Required when ZIP not provided |
Required when City/State not provided |
|
Sectional Center Facility |
SCF |
leave blank |
leave blank |
Required when AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr=true |
Required |
|
Bulk Mail Center |
BMC |
leave blank |
leave blank |
Required when AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr=true |
Required |
|
Area Distribution Center |
ADC |
leave blank |
leave blank |
Required when AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr=true |
Required |
|
Auxiliary Service Facility |
ASF |
leave blank |
leave blank |
Required when AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr=true |
Required |
The facility address information can be obtained from Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) at https://fast.usps.com/fast/main.action . Note that login is not required. Using the Reports features, FAST will produce a “Drop Entry Point View” of available destinations for the Open and Distribute container based on the type and destination of the enclosed mailpieces.
For example, if the enclosed mail is being sent to ZIP codes starting with 441 via Standard mail, FAST will produce a listing similar to the one below. The Open and Distribute container would be addressed to the appropriate facility based on the shape of the contents and proximity to the destination.
|
Content Information |
Facility |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZIP/CRIDs |
Discount |
CIN Group |
Facility |
NASS |
Address |
City |
State |
ZIP |
|
130-136, 140-168, 260-266, 439-449 |
BMC |
Standard/Flats |
PITTSBURGH BMC |
15Z |
300 BRUSH CREEK RD |
WARRENDALE |
PA |
150951002 |
|
440-441 |
SCF |
Standard/Irregular Parcels |
CLEVELAND |
440 |
2400 ORANGE AVE RM 30 |
CLEVELAND |
OH |
441019701 |
|
130-136, 140-168, 260-266, 439-449 |
BMC |
Standard/Letters |
PITTSBURGH BMC |
15Z |
300 BRUSH CREEK RD |
WARRENDALE |
PA |
150951002 |
|
440-441 |
SCF |
Standard/Machinable Parcels |
CLEVELAND |
440 |
2400 ORANGE AVE RM 30 |
CLEVELAND |
OH |
441019701 |
Contact the USPS Internet Customer Care Center (ICCC) for additional information on using FAST for Open and Distribute destinations.
|
Scheme |
Host |
Path |
API |
XML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
https:// |
secure.shippingapis.com |
/ShippingAPI.dll |
?API=OpenDistributePriority |
&XML=(see below) |
|
https:// |
secure.shippingapis.com |
/ShippingAPI.dll |
?API=OpenDistributePriorityCertify |
&XML=(see below) |




|
Tag Name |
Occurs |
Description |
Type |
Validation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest |
required once |
API=OpenDistributePriority
This API produces a Priority Mail Open and Distribute label complete with
barcode and receipt, with optional Permit imprint. Contact ICCC for
permission to invoke this API. |
(group) |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / @USERID |
required |
This attribute specifies your Web Tools ID. See the Developer's Guide for information on obtaining your USERID. |
NMTOKEN |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / @PASSWORD |
optional |
For backward compatibility; not validated. |
NMTOKEN |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / Option |
optional |
For future use. There is only one label option. |
empty |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ImageParameters |
optional |
For future use. There are no image parameters; see "ImageType" tag. |
empty |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / PermitNumber |
optional |
Input Permit number provided by your local post office. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / PermitIssuingPOZip5 |
optional |
ZIP Code of post office that issued your permit. REQUIRED when PermitNumber is specified. Must be valid within Address Matching System. City and State for Permit imprint are obtained from this ZIP code. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromName |
required once |
Name of sender. |
string |
minLength=1 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromFirm |
required once |
Company name. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromAddress1 |
required once |
Secondary address unit designator and number (such as an apartment or suite number (APT 202, STE 100)). |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromAddress2 |
required once |
Street number and name. Includes predirectional, suffix, and postdirectional for the address or rural route and box number (RR 5 BOX 10), highway contract route and box number (HC 4 BOX 45), or post office box number (PO BOX 458). |
string |
minLength=1 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromCity |
required once |
The city is any acceptable mailing name for the 5-digit ZIP code serving the intended recipient. |
string |
minLength=1 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromState |
required once |
Use only official USPS state name abbreviations. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromZip5 |
required once |
Correct 5-digit ZIP Code. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FromZip4 |
required once |
Last four digits of a complete ZIP+4 code. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / POZipCode |
optional |
When the ZIP Code of a collection point for a given package is different from the Zip Code of the person mailing the package (their return address), this tag must be used to convey this difference to the USPS. Enter the ZIP Code of the post office or collection box where the item is mailed. May be different than "FromZip5." |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityName |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility name. Required for OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType='DDU']. Truncated to 26 characters on label. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityAddress1 |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility secondary address unit designator and number. Truncated to 32 characters after address standardization for label. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityAddress2 |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility street number and name. OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType='DDU']. Truncated to 32 characters after address standardization for label. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityCity |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility city. When OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType ='DDU'], either City and State, or ZIP code is REQUIRED. Truncated to 15 characters after address standardization for label. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityState |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility state abbreviation. When OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType='DDU'], either City and State, or ZIP code is REQUIRED. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityZip5 |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility 5-digit ZIP code. When OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType='DDU'], either City and State, or ZIP code is REQUIRED. For all other FacilityType values, always REQUIRED and must be valid ZIP code. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ToFacilityZip4 |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility last four digits of ZIP+4. May be REQUIRED to obtain exact address match when OpenDistributePriorityRequest[FacilityType='DDU']. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / FacilityType |
required once |
Drop Shipment destination facility type. Has values: "DDU", "SCF", "BMC", "ADC", "ASF". |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / MailClassEnclosed |
required once |
Mail Class and Processing Category, displays on label as: Letters: Standard Mail Letters; Flats: Standard Mail Flats; Parcels: Standard Mail Parcels; Mixed: Standard Mail Mixed; Other: explanation from OpenDistributePriorityRequest/MailClassOther tag. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / MailClassOther |
optional |
Explanation, REQUIRED when OpenDistributePriorityRequest[MailClassEnclosed='Other']. Is displayed on the label as provided. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / WeightInPounds |
optional |
(Estimated) weight of package in pounds. Number must be represented using at most eight characters. |
decimal |
minInclusive=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / WeightInOunces |
optional |
(Estimated) weight of package in ounces. Number must be represented using at most eight characters. |
integer |
maxInclusive=1120 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / ImageType |
required once |
The type of label image desired. |
string |
whiteSpace=collapse |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / SeparateReceiptPage |
optional |
Enter "true" for the shipping label and the online customer record to be printed on two separate pages or "false" for both printed on the same page. |
boolean |
default=false |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / LabelDate |
optional |
This tag allows the end-user to post-date the label up to four days in advance. The package should not be shipped until the ship date requested. |
string |
minLength=0 |
|
OpenDistributePriorityRequest / CustomerRefNo |
optional |
For future use. |
empty |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityCertifyRequest |
required once |
API=OpenDistributePriorityCertify The "Certify" form of the request is used for integrator testing. It produces a label that is not suitable for mailing and must not be entered into the US Postal System. Certify requests do not require additional permissions to invoke. |
(alias) |
|
|
<OpenDistributePriorityRequest USERID="xxx"> <PermitNumber>1</PermitNumber> <PermitIssuingPOZip5>21718</PermitIssuingPOZip5> <FromName>M. Hurd</FromName> <FromFirm>Hewlett-Packard</FromFirm> <FromAddress1>Room 150</FromAddress1> <FromAddress2>6600 Rockledge</FromAddress2> <FromCity>Bethesda</FromCity> <FromState>MD</FromState> <FromZip5>21718</FromZip5> <FromZip4/> <POZipCode>21838</POZipCode> <ToFacilityName>Fairfax Post Office</ToFacilityName> <ToFacilityAddress1/> <ToFacilityAddress2>10660 Page Ave</ToFacilityAddress2> <ToFacilityCity>Fairfax</ToFacilityCity> <ToFacilityState>VA</ToFacilityState> <ToFacilityZip5>22030</ToFacilityZip5> <ToFacilityZip4/> <FacilityType>DDU</FacilityType> <MailClassEnclosed>Other</MailClassEnclosed> <MailClassOther>Free Samples</MailClassOther> <WeightInPounds>22</WeightInPounds> <WeightInOunces>10</WeightInOunces> <ImageType>PDF</ImageType> <SeparateReceiptPage>false</SeparateReceiptPage> <AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr>false</AllowNonCleansedFacilityAddr> </OpenDistributePriorityRequest>
|

|
Tag Name |
Occurs |
Description |
Type |
Validation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
OpenDistributePriorityResponse |
required once |
The OpenDistributePriorityResponse XML document is sent in response to a OpenDistributePriorityRequest. |
(group) |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityResponse / OpenDistributePriorityNumber |
required once |
Open and Distribute ID Number (PIC #) |
string |
|
|
OpenDistributePriorityResponse / OpenDistributePriorityLabel |
optional |
Open and Distribute Shipping Label (not returned when ImageType is None in the request). |
base64Binary |