"Service not supported" error when shipping USPS Ground Advantage with Special Service Registered Mail in SendSuite Live

Learn how to resolve an error that the service is not supported when shipping a USPS Ground Advantage package with Special Service Registered Mail in SendSuite Live.

Products affected: SendSuite® Live

Issue

When shipping a USPS Ground Advantage package with Special Service Registered Mail, an error is displayed that the service is not supported. This started with the USPS rate change on 1/22/2017.

The exact error message depends on the USPS carrier:

USPS Server: Registered Mail is not supported with USPS Ground Advantage (Parcel).
IOP: Invalid Special Service or Special Service Fee provided.
PB Shipping API: Package 1 has failed validation. Message: Error message: Invalid special service RegIons selected. Invalid special service RegIons for selected Mail Service
Endicia: Selected services do not apply. Error encountered (Log ID: xxxxx)

Cause

USPS Ground Advantage Packages are subject to be opened and inspected, while Registered Mail has strict package sealing requirements. The package sealing requirements for Registered Mail make it incompatible with USPS Ground Advantage Service due to the consent to inspection. For more information, see the USPS Domestic Mail Manual.

Resolution

As of January 22, 2017, the USPS has eliminated USPS Ground Advantage Service as a product available with Registered Mail because USPS Ground Advantage Service is not sealed against inspection.

Ship the Registered Mail piece using Priority Mail Service instead.

UPDATED: June 16, 2023