Migration Guides
Switching from USPS Click‑N‑Ship to ShipWave: migration guide
Move to multi-carrier labels without disruption.
Why Switch from Click-N-Ship to ShipWave?
USPS Click-N-Ship is convenient, but it has a significant limitation: you pay full retail rates. ShipWave offers USPS Commercial Plus pricing—the same rates shipping companies negotiate—with discounts up to 54% off retail. On a simple Priority Mail label, you might save $3-8 per package. Multiply that by your monthly volume, and the savings add up quickly. Plus, ShipWave gives you access to UPS, FedEx, and DHL in one platform, so you can always find the cheapest option.
Understanding the Rate Difference
Click-N-Ship uses USPS retail rates—the same prices you'd pay at the Post Office counter. ShipWave uses Commercial Plus rates, which are significantly lower. Example: A 3 lb Priority Mail package from New York to Los Angeles costs approximately $15.50 at retail through Click-N-Ship. Through ShipWave with Commercial Plus pricing, the same package costs approximately $9.50—a 39% savings. For Ground Advantage, the savings are even more dramatic, often 40-54% off retail.
Pre-Migration Checklist
Before switching: 1) Log into Click-N-Ship and note any saved addresses you want to transfer. 2) Check your shipping history for reference (you can't export it, but screenshot if needed). 3) Note any pending shipments and complete them before switching. 4) Have your printer ready—ShipWave supports both 4×6 thermal labels and standard paper. 5) Gather package dimensions and weights for your common shipments.
Step 1: Create Your ShipWave Account
Visit shipwave.app and sign up—it's free. Enter your email, create a password, and verify your account via email. During onboarding, enter your ship-from address (this becomes your default origin). Unlike Click-N-Ship, ShipWave doesn't require you to enter payment information until you're ready to buy a label. The whole process takes about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Set Up Your Printer
If you use a thermal label printer (like DYMO 4XL or Rollo), configure it in your system settings. ShipWave generates standard 4×6 labels that work with all thermal printers. If you use a regular printer, ShipWave can generate labels in 8.5×11 format—print and tape or use adhesive label sheets. In Settings → Label Format, choose your preferred format.
Step 3: Transfer Saved Addresses
Unfortunately, Click-N-Ship doesn't offer address export, so you'll need to re-enter frequent addresses manually. In ShipWave, go to Settings → Address Book → Add Address. For each recipient you ship to regularly, save their information. This is a one-time effort—once saved, addresses auto-complete as you type. Consider transferring your top 20-30 addresses to start.
Step 4: Compare Your First Shipment
Before printing your first label, compare rates. Enter the same package details you'd use in Click-N-Ship: dimensions, weight, from/to addresses. ShipWave shows you rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL side-by-side. You'll immediately see how much you save with Commercial Plus pricing versus Click-N-Ship's retail rates. This comparison builds confidence in the switch.
Step 5: Print Your First Label
Select the rate you want (likely USPS at the Commercial Plus price), enter payment information, and print. The label includes the same tracking barcode and postal markings as Click-N-Ship labels—carriers treat them identically. Drop off at any USPS location or schedule free Package Pickup through ShipWave. The process is nearly identical to Click-N-Ship, just cheaper.
Step 6: Learn the Multi-Carrier Advantage
Now that you're on ShipWave, explore beyond USPS. For heavier packages (5+ lbs), compare UPS Ground and FedEx Ground—they're often cheaper than USPS. For overnight needs, compare Priority Mail Express against FedEx Overnight and UPS Next Day Air. For international shipments, DHL is usually the most affordable option. Click-N-Ship only showed you USPS; ShipWave shows you everything.
Step 7: Batch Shipping (For Volume)
If you ship multiple packages daily, use ShipWave's batch shipping feature. Enter multiple shipments, select rates for each, and print all labels at once. This is much faster than Click-N-Ship's one-at-a-time approach. You can also import orders from e-commerce platforms (Shopify, eBay, etc.) directly into the batch queue.
Step 8: Complete the Transition
After a few successful shipments, you're ready to use ShipWave exclusively. Bookmark the dashboard for quick access. You can still use Click-N-Ship for edge cases if needed—there's no conflict. But once you see the savings, you'll have no reason to go back. Most users report saving 30-50% on their shipping costs after switching.
Common Concerns Addressed
Will my packages arrive the same way? Yes—same USPS trucks, same delivery timeframe. Carriers don't know or care which platform printed the label. Is tracking the same? Yes—same USPS tracking numbers, same tracking.usps.com updates. What about insurance? ShipWave labels include standard USPS insurance (up to $100 for Priority Mail). Additional insurance available if needed.
Savings Calculator
Estimate your annual savings: Take your average package and get both the Click-N-Ship retail rate and ShipWave's Commercial Plus rate. Multiply the difference by your monthly shipping volume, then by 12. Example: If you save $4 per package and ship 100 packages/month, that's $400/month or $4,800/year in savings—without changing carriers or delivery quality.
FAQs
How much will I really save switching from Click-N-Ship?
Typical savings range from 30-54% depending on the service. Priority Mail savings average 25-35%. Ground Advantage savings can reach 40-54%. A $12 retail Priority Mail label might cost $8-9 through ShipWave. Your exact savings depend on package weight, size, and destination—but virtually everyone saves.
Are Click-N-Ship and ShipWave labels different to USPS?
No, USPS treats both labels identically. Both are valid postage that USPS accepts and delivers. The labels look similar and contain the same tracking barcodes. The only difference is the price you paid—Commercial Plus (ShipWave) vs retail (Click-N-Ship).
Can I still schedule free Package Pickup?
Yes, ShipWave offers free USPS Package Pickup scheduling just like Click-N-Ship. You can also schedule UPS and FedEx pickups through ShipWave. Pickups work the same way—schedule online, leave packages for your mail carrier or at a pickup location.
Do I need a business license to get commercial rates?
No. Despite the name "Commercial Plus," anyone can access these rates through ShipWave—individuals, hobbyists, side hustlers, or businesses of any size. There are no volume minimums or business requirements. USPS makes commercial rates available through approved shipping platforms.
What happens to my Click-N-Ship account?
Nothing—you can keep it active if you want. There's no need to close it. Some users keep Click-N-Ship as a backup or for checking retail rates. However, once you experience ShipWave's savings, you probably won't use Click-N-Ship again except to track old shipments.
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