📦 USPS Adjustment (APV) Dispute Guide: What They Are & How to Handle Them
If you’ve received a notice from Thryft Ship about a USPS Adjustment for Postage Verification (APV), don’t panic. You’re not alone, and this guide will walk you through exactly what’s happening and what you need to do.
What Is an APV?
USPS uses a system called Automated Package Verification (APV) to double-check package details after they’ve been shipped. This means that even if a label was created and paid for, USPS can re-measure and weigh the package later. If they believe something was off they’ll issue an adjustment. An example of this would be if you used a flat rate box without selecting the flat rate option or your package weighed more than declared.
These adjustments are not unique to Thryft Ship. They happen across all platforms and are completely under USPS’s control.
Why Am I Being Charged?
If USPS finds a mismatch between the package you sent and the label information, they’ll charge the difference to your payment method on file. For example:
Original price paid: $4.65
USPS adjustment: $9.85
Charge applied: $5.20
You’ll also see a description like:
Incorrect Package Type – Used Flat Rate Envelope
or
Weight Discrepancy – Exceeded 16 oz Limit
Can I Dispute This?
Yes. If you believe the charge is incorrect, you can file a dispute directly with USPS. APV disputes can be denied or accepted, and if USPS accepts the dispute, our USPS provider notifies us, and we’ll refund the adjustment to your payment method.Â
How to File a Dispute (Step-by-Step)
You’ll need the following info, which can be found in your Purchased or Completed page on Thryft Ship:
Package Tracking Number
Example:9400136208271278456782Revenue Assurance ID (Dispute ID)
Found in your APV email.
Example:000009104582913Reason You’re Disputing the Charge
Briefly explain why you believe the charge is incorrect.Your Contact Info
Your name, email, and phone number.
Once submitted, USPS will review your dispute, you don’t need to do anything else. We’ll handle the rest and refund you if it’s approved!Â
Where to Find the Info You Need
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Tracking Number: In the APV email from Thryft Ship or on your Thryft Ship dashboard.
Dispute ID: In the APV email (labeled as “Revenue Assurance ID”).
Dimensions, Weight, Service Type: All included in the email notification from us.
A Quick Note on Payment Fees
If USPS issues an adjustment, the additional charge is billed through the original payment method. If that’s a card, you may see a small Stripe processing fee (2.9% + 30¢) included. This is standard and not collected by Thryft Ship.
How to Prevent Future Adjustments
While APVs can happen to anyone, here are a few tips to help reduce the chances of being flagged by USPS:
Always weigh your items after they’ve been fully packaged.
Even a small difference in weight can trigger an adjustment, especially near the 16 oz cutoff.Measure your package accurately, including bulges and seams.
USPS captures your package dimensions with machines, so round up to the nearest inch to be safe.Use the right packaging for the service you selected.
Flat rate boxes and envelopes must be used with flat rate labels only. Using one with a regular label will automatically result in an adjustment.
đź“ą Want a quick guide on how and why measuring your packages can save you money?
Check out this Instagram reelÂ
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
If anything looks off or you need help filing a dispute, reach out to us anytime. We know it’s frustrating to get hit with unexpected charges, and we’ll support you however we can.
Need more info from USPS? Check out their official APV FAQ here.
