Scheduling Carrier Pickups
Scheduling Carrier Pickups
Rather than driving to the post office or a drop-off point, you can have the carrier collect packages from your address. This page explains which pickups you can book inside AtoShip and which you have to book with the carrier directly.
What You Can Book Where
| Carrier | Book in AtoShip? | Where to book |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Yes | Dashboard → Pickups |
| UPS | No | ups.com — Schedule a Pickup, or 1-800-PICK-UPS |
| FedEx | No | fedex.com — Schedule & Manage Pickups, or 1-800-GoFedEx |
| DHL | No | mydhl.express.dhl — Schedule a Pickup, or 1-800-CALL-DHL |
| OnTrac | No | No self-service booking — ask your OnTrac account manager |
A label you bought in AtoShip is valid regardless of who books the pickup. The pickup is simply a separate arrangement with the carrier, and only USPS exposes an interface we can book through on your behalf.
On the Pickups page, switch the carrier dropdown at the top right and AtoShip shows the correct link, phone number and caveats for whichever carrier you pick.
USPS — Booking It Here
See Schedule USPS Pickup for the step-by-step. In short: buy your USPS labels first, then go to Dashboard → Pickups, choose the address, choose a date, tick the packages, then Validate Pickup followed by Confirm Pickup. USPS returns a confirmation number.
Two types, both offered:
| Free Pickup | On-Demand | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | USPS charges a fee, shown before you confirm |
| When | Rides along with your regular mail delivery | A time window you choose |
| Earliest | Tomorrow | Today |
Sundays and federal holidays are not available.
USPS eligibility:
| Service | Pickup Eligible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail | Yes | Free |
| Priority Mail Express | Yes | Free |
| Ground Advantage | Yes | Free |
| Media Mail | Yes | Free |
| First-Class Mail letters | No | Letters are not eligible |
UPS
Book at ups.com — Schedule a Pickup, or call 1-800-PICK-UPS (1-800-742-5877).
- A one-off "on-call" pickup is charged per request; a daily scheduled pickup is billed as a weekly account fee.
- If UPS already collects from you on a regular route, your parcels go out with that stop — there is nothing to book.
FedEx
Book at fedex.com — Schedule & Manage Pickups, or call 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-463-3339).
- Express and Ground are collected by different drivers. Book each one separately, or they will not both be picked up.
- Same-day requests usually have to be in well before the local cutoff.
DHL
Book at mydhl.express.dhl — Schedule a Pickup, or call 1-800-CALL-DHL (1-800-225-5345).
- Have the waybill number from the label you printed in AtoShip; DHL asks for it.
OnTrac
OnTrac has no self-service pickup booking. Collection is arranged as a standing daily stop on your account — if you do not have one, ask your account manager to add your warehouse to a route.
Preparing for Any Pickup
- Print and attach all labels, barcodes facing up and scannable
- Seal and cushion packages properly
- Group them by carrier — a UPS driver will not take your FedEx parcels
- Put them in one accessible spot, protected from weather
- Leave clear access instructions (gate code, side entrance, front desk)
Managing a USPS Pickup You Booked Here
Your pickups are listed under the form on Dashboard → Pickups. Statuses are Validated, Scheduled, Completed, Cancelled and Failed.
- Reschedule — open the pickup and pick a new date. No need to cancel first.
- Cancel — open the pickup and click Cancel, before 2 AM CT on the pickup day.
Pickups booked on a carrier's own website are managed there, not in AtoShip — we never see them.
If the Carrier Doesn't Show
- Check the pickup status (in AtoShip for USPS, on the carrier's site for everyone else)
- Call the carrier's customer service
- Book again for the next day
- Document it if you intend to file a claim
Common reasons: packages not visible, access issues, incorrect address, route delays.
Holiday and Peak Seasons
- Book earlier in the day
- Confirm pickup times, and watch for cutoff changes
- Have a backup drop-off plan
- Expect longer, less predictable windows
Drop-Off as a Backup
- USPS Post Offices and blue collection boxes
- Carrier retail counters and authorized shipping partners
- Retail partners such as Staples, Office Depot, Safeway, Albertsons and CVS (select locations)