Create a PB Standard Returns Label¶

HTTP Request¶

POST /v1/shipments

Summary¶

This operation creates a Pitney Bowes Standard Returns label for a buyer to use if returning a parcel. The label is a post-paid label and incurs no charges unless used. The label contains a USPS-compliant barcode and can be tracked via the Track a Package API. The label also contains a PB Standard Returns barcode. The label might also contain a third, custom barcode.

The API provides the option to create a QR code instead of a label. A QR code allows a buyer without a printer to print the label at a Post Office or other shipping facility. To provide the buyer with nearby facilities that print labels, issue the Carrier Facilities API.

A buyer who has a printer can also print the label by entering the QR code’s Label ID at the USPS Label Broker™ website: https://tools.usps.com/label-broker.htm

Prerequisites¶

To create a PB Standard Returns label, a merchant must first onboard with PB Standard. When a merchant onboards, the merchant is enrolled with a PB Standard facility and receives a set of PB Standard IDs.

Testing in Sandbox¶

To test this API in the Sandbox environment, use the following values in the shipmentOptions array:

Shipment Option:	Value:
`SHIPPER_ID`	Use any Shipper ID. If you have not yet onboarded a merchant, use the default Shipper ID that comes with your Developer Account.
`CLIENT_ID`	`NGST`
`RETURN_ID`	`123456789a`

Things to Consider¶

The PB Standard Returns service is a post-paid service. Postage is not charged at the time of label creation.
PB Standard Returns are supported for domestic shipments only.
PB Standard Returns use Pitney Bowes as the carrier.
Standard Returns use the Parcel Select Return (PRCLSEL) mail class and the package (PKG) parcel type. Standard Returns do not support special services.
When issuing the API, you specify whether to create a label or QR code by specifying either SHIPPING_LABEL or QR_CODE in the documents.type field.
If you choose to create a QR code, you can use the Carrier Facility API to provide the buyer with nearby USPS facilities that accept QR codes.

When issuing the API, you must set the following:

Field	Value
`shipmentType`	`RETURN`
`fromAddress`	The address of the buyer who is returning the parcel. The fromAddress must include the following: `addressLines` Either: `cityTown` and `stateProvince`, or `postalCode`
`toAddress`	The merchant’s address. The API will replace this address with the closest PB Standard facility. The toAddress requires the following fields: `postalCode`: This can be populated with any five numerical digits. For example `00000`. `countryCode`: Set this to `US`. Note that the response returns a different toAddress than the one you send in the request. The response specifies PITNEY BOWES RETURNS in the toAddress.
`parcel.weight`	The `parcel.weight` object is required, but the object can contain any number for the weight value. The actual weight value is determined during handling and need not be accurate in this object.
`rates.carrier`	`NEWGISTICS` (which indicates PB Standard)
`rates.serviceId`	`PRCLSEL`
`rates.parcelType`	`PKG`
`documents.type`	To create a label, set this to: `SHIPPING_LABEL` To create a QR code, set this to: `QR_CODE`
`documents.size`	To create a label, see this table. To create a QR code, do not use this field.
`documents.fileFormat`	To create a label, see this table. To create a QR code, set this to: `GIF`
`documents.contentType`	To create a label, see this table. To create a QR code, set this to: `BASE64`
`shipmentOptions`	The following shipment options are required: SHIPPER_ID: The merchant’s Shipper ID. CLIENT_ID: The merchant’s unique PB Standard client ID assigned when the merchant onboarded with PB Standard. If testing in Sandbox, set this to `NGST`. RETURN_ID: A merchant-generated identifier for the label. The identifier does not appear on the label. If testing in Sandbox, set this to `123456789a`. CLIENT_SERVICE_FLAG: Set this to `Standard`. DISPOSITION_RULESET_ID: The ruleset (sort code) assigned to the merchant during onboarding for PB Standard Returns. Note: For the optional shipment options that apply to PB Standard Returns, see the Shipment Options page.

To add a custom barcode to the label, use the documents.customerData.labelDetails array. See Custom Barcodes on this page.
The documents.customerData.labelDetails array also allows merchants to perform additional custom functions, such as printing additional text or applying business rules. Merchants must set up the customizations in advance with their PB implementation teams.
To optionally apply minimal address validation to the fromAddress, which is the address of the buyer who is returning the item, set MINIMAL_ADDRESS_VALIDATION to true in the shipmentOptions array.
If you choose to retrieve the label through a URL, the label is available for 24 hours after label creation.
The API returns a parcel tracking number you can use to track the label via the Track a Package API.
You can retry and reprint PB Standard Returns labels.
If the API call returns the HTTP 500 Internal Server Error, see Troubleshoot the 500 Internal Server Error.

For other errors, do not resubmit the request without first checking whether the label was created through the Retry API.
PB Standard Returns labels are not manifested.

Custom Barcodes¶

When creating a PB Standard Returns label, you can add an optional custom barcode, as shown in the sample Standard Returns label. To add a custom barcode, include the following parameters in the documents.customerData.labelDetails array:

Parameter	Value
`barcodeValue`	Set this to the information to be encoded in the barcode.
`barcodeType`	Set this to `CODE128` to indicated the barcode uses the 128 barcode symbology.
`barcodeHumanReadable`	Set this to any human-readable information that is to accompany the barcode on the label.

For example:

"documents": [ {
    "customerData": {
        "labelDetails": [ {
            "name": "barcodeValue",
            "value": "10202"
        },{
            "name": "barcodeType",
            "value": "CODE128"
        },{
            "name": "barcodeHumanReadable",
            "value": "Order: 10202"
        } ]
    }
} ]

Request URLs¶

Sandbox: https://api-sandbox.pitneybowes.com/shippingservices/v1/shipments
Production: https://api.pitneybowes.com/shippingservices/v1/shipments

Request Headers¶

Name	Description
Authorization	Required. OAuth token generated using the Generate an OAuth Token API.
Content-Type	Required. The media type of the request entity. Set this to `application/json`.
Accept-Language	Language and country code. Default: `en-US`
X-PB-TransactionId	Required. A unique identifier for the transaction, up to 25 characters. Important: You must ensure this is a unique id.
X-PB-Use-Merchant-Logo	If a merchant is configured to print a custom logo on PB Standard Returns labels, the custom logo is printed on the label by default. You can optionally leave the logo off a given label by setting this header to `false`. To be configured to print custom logos on PB Standard Returns labels, merchants should contact their Pitney Bowes implementation teams.

Request / Response Elements¶

Important

The API call sends and receives a Shipment Object. The following table describes all possible fields in a Shipment Object. Some fields do not apply to this operation and are marked accordingly.

Name	Data Type	Description
fromAddress	Address Object	Required. Origin address. If you want a different address to appear on the label from the one listed here, see How do I print a return address that is different from the origin address?
toAddress	Address Object	Required. Destination address. FedEx, UPS: If you are shipping with FedEx or UPS to Puerto Rico or an international destination, and if the importer is different from the final recipient, this is the address of the importer. Enter the recipient’s address in the `soldToAddress` object. If importer’s address is the same as the final recipient, the `toAddress` and `soldToAddress` must match.
altReturnAddress	Address Object	PB Expedited, CBDS Only. Applies as follows: PB Expedited: If you are sending an international shipment and if you have set the NON_DELIVERY_OPTION shipment option to `redirect`, then enter the address that a returned parcel should go to. CBDS: For a Create Shipment request, this is the address used to return a parcel from the CBDS Consolidation Center. If omitted, the `fromAddress` is used. The `altReturnAddress` is not returned in the response.
parcel	Parcel Object	Required. Contains physical characteristics of the parcel.
rates	Array[Rates Object]	Required. Specifies the carrier, service, parcel, and other information. In a response, this field also contains the service charges. Important: In a request, the `rates` array can contain only one rates object.
documents	Array[Documents Object]	Conditional. Defines the label, manifest, or other shipping document created by the API call. This field is required, except in the following cases: This field does not apply to Rate Parcel requests. This field does not apply to the Create CBDS Shipment request if the merchant prints the first-label prior to invoking the API.
shipmentOptions	Array[Object]	Required. Each object in this array defines a shipment option. Specify each option as a name-value pair in the array. The `SHIPPER_ID` option is required. For any additional requirements for a carrier or service, please see the Things to Consider section on the carrier’s Create Shipment page.
name	String	The name of the shipment option.
value	String	The value of the shipment option.
customs	Object	Conditional. For shipments that use customs forms, this object contains the customs information. This field is required for the following carriers in the following situations: PB Expedited: Required for shipments to international destinations. Conditional for shipments to APO/FPO/DPO, U.S. Territories, and FAS, as explained in this FAQ. CBDS: Required for all shipments. FedEx: Required for shipments to international destinations and Puerto Rico. UPS: Required for shipments to international destinations and Puerto Rico.
customsInfo	Customs Info Object	Customs clearance information used to fill out a commercial invoice. In the Customs Info Object, make sure to include the fields marked Required.
customsItems	Array[Customs Items Object]	Information about each commodity in the shipment, used for customs clearance. In the Customs Items Object, make sure to include the fields marked Required. The maximum number of objects in this array is 30.
domesticShipmentDetails	Domestic Shipment Details Object	CBDS Only. Required if the merchant prints the first-mile label prior to invoking the Create CBDS Shipment API. This object contains information about the first-mile leg of the shipment.
soldToAddress	Address Object	FedEx, UPS Only. The final recipient of a the shipment. Required for a shipment from the U.S. to Puerto Rico or to an international destination. Otherwise optional. This address must match the `toAddress.countryCode`, with the exception of shipments to Canada and to U.S. satellite countries. If the final recipient’s address is the same as the importer’s address, the entries in the `soldToAddress` object must match the entries in the `toAddress` object.
shipmentType	String	Return Labels Only. Set this to `RETURN`. Required for Expedited Returns and Standard Returns.
references	Array[Object]	Merchant-defined values. Applies to the following: PB Standard: Optional. See References Array in PB Standard. CBDS: Conditional. See References Array in a CBDS Request.
hazmatDetails	Hazmat Details Object	PB Standard Only. If shipping hazardous materials with PB Standard, use this object.
shipmentId	String	RESPONSE ONLY. Unique identifier for the shipment, generated by the system in response to shipment purchase.
parcelTrackingNumber	String	RESPONSE ONLY. Tracking number assigned to the shipment by the system.

Sample Requests¶

See the following examples:

Create Standard Returns Label
Create a Standard Returns Label QR Code

Create Standard Returns Label¶

The following request creates a Standard Returns label. For a sample label, click here.

Request to Create a Standard Returns Label¶

curl -X POST .../v1/shipments \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <oauth_token>" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Accept-Language: en-US" \
-H "X-PB-TransactionId: <unique_transaction_id>" \
-d '
{
    "shipmentType": "RETURN",
    "fromAddress": {
        "company": "Shop",
        "name": "Kathryn Smith",
        "phone": "334-000-0000",
        "email": "kathryn@example.com",
        "addressLines": [ "2352 Bent Creek Rd" ],
        "cityTown": "Auburn",
        "stateProvince": "AL",
        "postalCode": "36830",
        "countryCode": "US"
    },
    "toAddress": {
        "postalCode": "00000",
        "countryCode": "US"
    },
    "parcel": {
        "weight": {
            "unitOfMeasurement": "OZ",
            "weight": 0
        }
    },
    "rates": [ {
        "carrier": "NEWGISTICS",
        "serviceId": "PRCLSEL",
        "parcelType": "PKG"
    } ],
    "documents": [ {
        "type": "SHIPPING_LABEL",
        "size": "DOC_4X6",
        "contentType": "URL",
        "fileFormat": "PDF",
        "resolution": "DPI_300",
        "customerData": {
            "labelDetails": [ {
                "name": "<custom_value>",
                "value": "<custom_value>"
            } ]
        },
        "printDialogOption" : "NO_PRINT_DIALOG"
    } ],
    "shipmentOptions": [ {
        "name": "SHIPPER_ID",
        "value": "9024324564"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_ID",
        "value": "NGST"
    },{
        "name": "RETURN_ID",
        "value": "123456789a"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_SERVICE_FLAG",
        "value": "Standard"
    },{
        "name": "DISPOSITION_RULESET_ID",
        "value": "1"
     } ]
}'

Response for a Standard Returns Label¶

{
    "fromAddress": {
        "company": "Shop",
        "name": "Kathryn Smith",
        "phone": "334-000-0000",
        "email": "kathryn@example.com",
        "residential": false,
        "addressLines": [
            "2352 Bent Creek Rd"
        ],
        "cityTown": "Auburn",
        "stateProvince": "AL",
        "postalCode": "36830-6433",
        "countryCode": "US",
        "deliveryPoint": "52"
    },
    "toAddress": {
        "name": "PITNEY BOWES RETURNS",
        "addressLines": [
            "PARCEL RETURN SERVICE",
            "",
            ""
        ],
        "postalCode": "56901"
    },
    "parcel": {
        "weight": {
            "unitOfMeasurement": "OZ",
            "weight": 0.0
        }
    },
    "rates": [ {
        "carrier": "NEWGISTICS",
        "parcelType": "PKG",
        "specialServices": [],
        "serviceId": "PRCLSEL"
    } ],
    "documents": [ {
        "contentType": "URL",
        "contents": "https://.../f42be533cef48c09f76c1908c78a074.pdf",
        "customerData": {
            "labelDetails": [ {
                "name": "<custom_value>",
                "value": "<custom_value>"
            } ],
        },
        "fileFormat": "PDF",
        "size": "DOC_4X6",
        "type": "SHIPPING_LABEL"
    } ],
    "shipmentOptions": [ {
        "name": "SHIPPER_ID",
        "value": "9024324564"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_ID",
        "value": "NGST"
    },{
        "name": "RETURN_ID",
        "value": "123456789a"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_SERVICE_FLAG",
        "value": "Standard"
    },{
         "name": "DISPOSITION_RULESET_ID",
         "value": "1"
    },{
        "name": "SMART_LABEL_BARCODE",
        "value": "7225108105012404020000000195465722I"
    } ],
    "parcelTrackingNumber": "9202390100763900000012487",
    "shipmentId": "NGST220023889032700"
}

Create a Standard Returns Label QR Code¶

The following request creates a QR code that can be used to print a Standard Returns label. For a sample QR code, click here.

Request to Create a Standard Returns Label QR Code¶

curl -X POST .../v1/shipments \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <oauth_token>" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Accept-Language: en-US" \
-H "X-PB-TransactionId: <unique_transaction_id>" \
-d '
{
    "shipmentType": "RETURN",
    "fromAddress": {
        "company": "Shop",
        "name": "Kathryn Smith",
        "phone": "334-000-0000",
        "email": "kathryn@example.com",
        "addressLines": [ "2352 Bent Creek Rd" ],
        "cityTown": "Auburn",
        "stateProvince": "AL",
        "postalCode": "36830",
        "countryCode": "US"
    },
    "toAddress": {
        "postalCode": "00000",
        "countryCode": "US"
    },
    "parcel": {
        "weight": {
            "unitOfMeasurement": "OZ",
            "weight": 0
        }
    },
    "rates": [ {
        "carrier": "NEWGISTICS",
        "serviceId": "PRCLSEL",
        "parcelType": "PKG"
    } ],
    "documents": [ {
        "type": "QR_CODE",
        "fileFormat": "GIF",
        "contentType": "BASE64"
    } ],
    "shipmentOptions": [ {
        "name": "SHIPPER_ID",
        "value": "9024324564"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_ID",
        "value": "NGST"
    },{
        "name": "RETURN_ID",
        "value": "123456789a"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_SERVICE_FLAG",
        "value": "Standard"
    },{
        "name": "DISPOSITION_RULESET_ID",
        "value": "1"
     } ]
}'

Response for a Standard Returns Label QR Code¶

{
    "fromAddress": {
        "company": "Shop",
        "name": "Kathryn Smith",
        "phone": "334-000-0000",
        "email": "kathryn@example.com",
        "residential": false,
        "addressLines": [
            "2352 Bent Creek Rd"
        ],
        "cityTown": "Auburn",
        "stateProvince": "AL",
        "postalCode": "36830-6433",
        "countryCode": "US",
        "deliveryPoint": "52"
    },
    "toAddress": {
        "name": "PITNEY BOWES RETURNS",
        "addressLines": [
            "PARCEL RETURN SERVICE",
            "",
            ""
        ],
        "postalCode": "56901"
    },
    "parcel": {
        "weight": {
            "unitOfMeasurement": "OZ",
            "weight": 0.0
        }
    },
    "rates": [ {
        "carrier": "NEWGISTICS",
        "parcelType": "PKG",
        "specialServices": [],
        "serviceId": "PRCLSEL"
    } ],
    "documents": [ {
        "contentType": "BASE64",
        "contents": "R0lGODlhWAJYAvAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAWAJYAkAC/4yPqcvtD6OctNq...",
        "fileFormat": "GIF",
        "type": "QR_CODE"
    } ],
    "shipmentOptions": [ {
        "name": "SHIPPER_ID",
        "value": "9024324564"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_ID",
        "value": "NGST"
    },{
        "name": "RETURN_ID",
        "value": "123456789a"
    },{
        "name": "CLIENT_SERVICE_FLAG",
        "value": "Standard"
    },{
         "name": "DISPOSITION_RULESET_ID",
         "value": "1"
    },{
        "name": "SMART_LABEL_BARCODE",
        "value": "7281006105012404002030000019584657I"
    },{
        "name": "LABEL_ID",
        "value": "93R64M6C"
    } ],
    "parcelTrackingNumber": "9204490188763900000012107",
    "shipmentId": "NGST220023818484327"
}

PB Standard Returns Label¶

QR Code¶

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode a buyer can use to print a PB Standard Returns label at a Post Office or other label-printing facility. The buyer either scans the QR code or enters the QR code label ID. To provide a buyer with a list of nearby facilities that print labels from QR codes, use the Carrier Facility API. A buyer who has a printer can print a label by entering the QR code’s Label ID at the USPS Label Broker™ site: https://tools.usps.com/label-broker.htm

The following is a sample QR code:

Error Codes¶

For a list of all PB Shipping APIs error codes, see Error Codes.