Global Advantage Program for USPS International Shipments

The Global Advantage Program (GAP) is an international shipping program through USPS that provides an economical way to ship merchandise internationally.

When you print USPS international labels for First Class or Priority services, you'll automatically receive a GAP label.

GAP benefits include:

  • Up to 65% in savings over the retail USPS Package shipping cost

  • Free insurance coverage for all shipments with Delivery Confirmation

  • No need to print Customs Declaration forms

All international USPS labels created in PayPal will automatically be GAP labels. UPS international services do not generate GAP labels.

How to Use the Global Advantage Program

The Global Advantage Program (GAP) is automatically enabled for your PayPal Shipping Center account. There is nothing else you need to do.

Similar to many international consolidators, you first send your packages via USPS to a domestic Postal Processing sorting facility. There, your international shipments are relabeled for their destination, receive their appropriate customs forms, and are then sent on to their final destination.

Ship To Address on Label

Your international shipping label will print with two addresses:

  1. The USPS Postal Processing facility address

  2. Your international recipient's address

Global Advantage Program Adjustments

If one of your shipments has insufficient postage due to discrepancies in weight or dimensions, it can be returned to sender, withheld from the recipient until postage is paid, or even destroyed altogether.

The good news is that with the Global Advantage Program, shipments with insufficient postage will be delivered, and an adjustment charge for the remaining postage will be issued to your account.

You can view your post-billing adjustments in your PayPal Shipping Center account.

Dispute GAP Adjustments

If you feel a Global Advantage Program Adjustment to your account may have been made in error, please contact us at paypalsupport@shipstation.com.

Global Advantage Program Restrictions

Anything deemed illegal or hazardous to ship by mail in the US or in the destination country will not be accepted. Please check for any restrictions when preparing your shipment. We cannot accept responsibility, nor accept coverage claims, for items confiscated by customs authorities.

Notes about the Global Advantage Program

  • The Global Advantage Program offers free insurance coverage up to $200 for USPS Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International shipments with Delivery confirmation.

  • The international tracking number on the GAP label will track the package to the sorting facility and may track the package to the destination country, if tracking to that country is supported.

  • Do not choose Documents for the content type in your customs declaration if the content does not conform to the USPS criteria for documents.

    If the contents of the package do not meet the USPS criteria for documents, the USPS Automatic Package Verification (APV) will post-charge your account the difference between the Large Envelope/Flat rate and the Package rate (which can be $7 or more).

  • If you do not wish to participate in the Global Advantage Program, please email us at paypalsupport@shipstation.com

Global Advantage Program FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding GAP:

What kind of packages can be shipped with our Global Advantage Program?

Any kind of package currently delivered internationally by the USPS, up to 70 lbs.

Can I send First-Class Mail International Flats & Envelopes with Merchandise?

Yes! With GAP, you can send First-Class Mail International Envelopes & Flats containing merchandise, weighing up to 4 lbs. The USPS no longer offers this very popular service.

Is there a minimum number of packages I must ship?

There is no minimum number of shipments required to use GAP.

How is the Global Advantage Program billed?

Postage costs for GAP labels are charged to your PayPal Shipping Center payment method.

Does GAP include service guarantees?

In general, the USPS does not guarantee service times for GAP.

USPS Priority Mail Express International packages may be eligible for service guarantees if the shipping label is purchased and delivered at a Post Office.

How do I file an insurance claim for a GAP label?

The Global Advantage Program offers free insurance coverage up to $200 for USPS Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International shipments with Delivery Confirmation and up to $100 for USPS First-Class Package International shipments.

File a Claim for Loss or Damage

GAP shipments that include door-to-door tracking are protected from loss or damage by GlobalPost. Door-to-door tracking is included automatically for both Priority and Priority Express services. To add door-to-door tracking to USPS First-Class Mail Int'l shipments, you must add Delivery confirmation.

You can file a claim for covered shipments within 90 days of the shipment date.

Requirements for filing a claim:

  • All claims must be filed by the shipper, not the recipient.

  • Damage claims can be submitted at any time. Claims for lost packages cannot be submitted until 30 days after the shipment date.

  • All claims must be submitted within 90 days after the shipment date.

To file a GAP claim:

  1. Go to the GlobalPost Claim Form page (all GAP claims are managed by GlobalPost).

  2. Fill in the online form:

    • You will need a good contact email, the shipment tracking number, the shipment date, and the claim amount.

    • Do not include the shipping cost when filling in the Claim Amount field. If the claim is approved, the shipping cost will be added to your total payment.

    • For damage claims, upload an image of the damaged shipment.

  3. Send the form when all fields have been completed.

    • If you submit a partially completed form, GlobalPost will not be able to process your claim and will notify you via email. Complete any missing information on your previously submitted claim form and resubmit it, or complete a new claim.

Once a claim has been approved, the refund will be immediately credited to your shipping account. It can take up to 3 weeks for a claim to be processed. Please contact GlobalPost if you have not received a response to your claim within 3 weeks.

If you feel your claim was incorrectly denied, please submit a new claim with new or updated information.

How can I track a GAP package?

Global Advantage Program packages can be tracked with either of the options below: