What does "Tendered To Service Provider" actually mean?

What does it mean when USPS says "Tendered to Service Provider"?

When you ship an order with UPS Surepost, FedEx Smartpost, or DHL eCommerce, USPS generally does the end delivery. In the industry, we call it "last-mile delivery." FedEx, UPS, or DHL get the shipment close to you or the end delivery, and then they hand it off to USPS. The last mile of the delivery is a lot of times the most expensive part of the delivery.


What does Tendered to Delivery Service Provide Mean?


So what does "tendered to delivery service provider" mean? In simple terms, it means that your package has been dropped off at the nearest post office. DHL, FedEx, or UPS have passed off the box to the subcontractor to send it to you. Usually, USPS is the subcontractor, but sometimes, it may also be a postal service that completes the delivery.


Why can't DHL and other similar companies ship the package right to your door? In most cases, they have limited operations in your area and team up with other local delivery services for the final delivery stage. Therefore, the "final mile" is not completed by DHL itself but with a partner company. 


USPS has more than 230,000 vehicles that deliver mail seven days a week in every US community. Such a large fleet means they have the workforce to deliver packages right to your doorstep. 

Related: USPS Lost My Package: What Do I Do?

On the other hand, DHL is a product import company that delivers products in over twenty countries. Such an extensive network means they cannot deliver every single step. They partner with USPS to ensure parcels arrive at their destination on time.

What to Do

During this stage, you will not notice any additional tracking updates until the package is scanned at the post office. Sometimes, you can head to https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input and search the tracking number to see where it is.  Usually, you will receive your order within 2 days after this notification but this may extend for a number of reasons. If the status doesn't change within a day or two, the best solution is to contact the company you ordered from and get an update.

Related: What Does My USPS Tracking Status Mean?


What does "tendered to "mean in FedEx?

Tendered to in Fedex has the same meaning as tendered to in DHL- your package has been dropped off to the last partner for final delivery. FedEx has passed your parcel on to USPS, and it is on its way to your local post office, where it will be scanned and delivered to your doorstep.

Related: What is FedEx Ground Economy (FedEx Smartpost) For Businesses?


What does "tendered to Postal Service" mean?

This term is used for local shipments, which means your parcel has been handed over from DHL or FedEx to USPS. Your package is on its way to your nearest post office for delivery. Your city post office is the "last mile partner" that completes the delivery, so you can expect it to arrive in no time without any further steps.

RelatedCompare USPS Priority Mail to Priority Mail Express


What does "arrived at facility partner" mean?

This is a notification that means your package has been picked up by the third-party shipper, who will then deliver it to a certain point. Companies like FedEx and 4px may use several partners who provide the parcel to a certain point until it reaches its destination.

Related: How Late Does USPS Deliver? A Complete Guide


Summary

Any notification with the word "tendered" means that the parcel you have ordered has been passed on to a last-mile delivery service like USPS. When you order an item, the package passes through different steps or stages of the chain before it can arrive at your doorstep. International delivery service companies like FedEx, DHL, and 4px tender last-mile delivery to USPS to pass the package on to your local post office and finally to your doorstep.


Recommended: How Do You Track A FedEx Package Without A Tracking Number?


Calculating Your Package's Cubic Tier

For Boxes and Rigid Packages:
  1. Measure the outer dimensions (length, width, height) in inches
  2. Round each measurement down to the nearest quarter inch
  3. Multiply length x width x height
  4. Divide the result by 1728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot)
  5. The result is your package's cubic feet measurement

Example: For a box measuring 12.3" x 9.5" x 3":

  1. Round down to 12.25" x 9.5" x 3"
  2. 12.25 x 9.5 x 3 = 349.125
  3. 349.125 / 1728 = 0.202 cubic feet
  4. This package falls into the 0.3 cubic feet pricing tier

Note: Maximum size for any single dimension is 18 inches

For Envelopes and Soft Packs:
  1. Measure the length and width of the empty envelope
  2. Round down to the nearest quarter inch
  3. Add the length and width together
  4. Use the total to determine the pricing tier:
    • Tier 0.1: Up to 21"
    • Tier 0.2: 21.01" to 27"
    • Tier 0.3: 27.01" to 31"
    • Tier 0.4: 31.01" to 34"
    • Tier 0.5: 34.01" to 36"

Restrictions

  • Tubes and rolls are not eligible for Cubic pricing
  • Maximum combined length and girth is 84 inches

Benefits of Using Priority Mail Cubic

  1. Cost savings: Cheaper than weight-based pricing for small, heavy items
  2. Predictable pricing: Easy to calculate shipping costs based on box dimensions
  3. Fast delivery: 1-3 business day delivery to any US address, including PO boxes
  4. Free tracking: Monitor shipments at no extra cost
  5. Included insurance: $100 of coverage with every shipment
  6. No surcharges: Residential and fuel surcharges included in the price

Tips for Maximizing Savings

  1. Optimize packaging: Use the smallest box possible that safely fits your items
  2. Consider breaking up large orders: Sometimes shipping in multiple smaller boxes can be cheaper
  3. Use cubic feet calculators: Online tools can help quickly determine your package's tier
  4. Compare rates: Always compare Cubic rates with other shipping methods
  5. Use Commercial Pricing: Accessing Commercial Pricing rates can lead to even more savings

2024 USPS Priority Mail Cubic Rates

Accessing Priority Mail Cubic Rates

Priority Mail Cubic isn't available at regular Post Office counters. However, many online shipping platforms and 3PL providers offer access to these rates. By partnering with a fulfillment provider, you can easily access these discounted rates and streamline your shipping process. For small-scale sellers not yet ready for a 3PL, Pirate Ship offers free access to USPS Priority Mail Cubic rates with no monthly fees or minimums.