PersonalShip FAQs

The online system offers many benefits to shippers including allowing users to:

• Choose from FedEx, UPS and DHL to determine which carrier best meets their specific needs;
• Leverage the University's negotiated pricing;
• Track shipments from an integrated at-a-glance dashboard, regardless of the carrier used to ship the package;
• Pay using a personal credit card;  and
• Preprint shipping labels.

Prior to logging onto the system, you must have a PennKey

PersonalShip is easy to use and is designed to be intuitive. Once you are in the system, you can also click on the red help links for additional assistance and explanation.

The Shipper Profile consists of each shipper’s individual “Send From” address information.

The PersonalShip Address Book allows you to store all of your recipients.  At the Shipping Screen, simply select a contact from your address book, rather than entering that recipient’s information each time you want to send that person a package.  Using the Address Book is easy. Start by clicking on t the Address Book Menu item.

To enter an address, click on the New button.  You can then enter the contact information.

To edit an address, click the Edit button. Proceed with making your changes, then click Save Edits.  

To save an address to your address book from the Ship Screen,  after entering the address, simply click on the Add to Address Book button and the address will automatically be added to your Address Book.

To delete addresses, select the recipient you would like to delete, confirm your choice, and then click the Delete button.

PersonalShip features a QuickShip option that can be used when you ship the same package repeatedly to the same recipient. You may set up the profile by clicking on the QuickShip button on the top navigation bar. In the Ship view screen, you can simply select the recipient you are shipping to and click “Ship It.”

When you seek a rate or ship quote, you will encounter a few scenarios:

• You do not need to enter the package’s dimensions if you are shipping a Carrier Letter as this area will be grayed out.
• If you are shipping via Carrier PAK, Box, or Tube, you will need to enter an approximate weight, but not dimensions. The dimensions will be grayed out.
• Should you elect to use “customer packaging,” you will need to specify an approximate weight and the dimensions of the package in inches.

Please note: Approximate weights are perfectly fine, even when using the Ship function to actually send a parcel. All parcels are re-weighed upon pickup, and your price will be adjusted accordingly by the carrier. If you provide an approximation of the package’s weight, you will get a near price estimate. Additional information is available by clicking on the Help button at the bottom of the Package Info section. For specific questions regarding dimensional weight or size of your package, please contact the carrier.

 Due to changing export compliance regulations, there can be a variety of reasons why this may occur.  Please contact your carrier for more information.

Yes, there are items such as hazardous materials and illegal goods that you cannot ship. Consult your carrier if you have questions about shipping.

Additionally, If the final destination of your package is overseas, the declared value of your shipment may not exceed US $2,499.  Please contact your carrier for information about domestic regulations associated with shipping goods of high value in the United States.

 A ‘document’ shipment includes paper of little or no commercial value and generally does not require a commercial invoice.  Business correspondence is an example of such a shipment.  A ‘non-document’ shipment defines all other shipments, including printed materials of value.

 A Product Profile is needed for any ‘non-document’ shipment and its product information is printed on the commercial invoice.  The profile should offer a detailed description of the product (number of units, unit weight, unit value, country of manufacture and harmonized code, when applicable, of the product you are shipping.

A harmonized code should be assigned to a commodity you are shipping internationally and your package must go through customs.  It is used to help determine customs fees and any applicable duty fees.  Should you not have a code, customs may assign one to the package and it could result in higher than anticipated charges.  If you do not know your harmonized code, you should work with your carrier to obtain one.

After successfully completing the shipping information, users are provided with an order confirmation and tracking number associated with the shipping order. Users can click “print label” to view the airway bill online and print it.

The cost of shipping a package depends on a variety of factors including:

• Your choice of carrier,
• The size and weight of your package,
• The ship-to location, and
• The type of shipment.

Even after determining the above criteria, there are additional costs. These costs will vary based on what type of goods you are shipping and your shipping requirements and include such things as:

• Special handling/shipping requirements
• Annual increases in shipping fees assessed by carriers; and
• Taxes and fees and other assigned costs.

 Discover, Visa and MasterCard are the only cards accepted in PersonalShip.

When tracking a package via PersonalShip, you may click on My Shipments from the top navigation bar in the system to access your information.  You will be asked to input either your PersonalShip order number or the shipment's tracking number issued by the carrier.  Shippers may also visit the respective carriers’ websites to learn the progress of their shipment.  When speaking with a carrier, please have your tracking number handy as you will be prompted to input the number to fulfill your request.

You can expect the shipping charge to appear within 30 to 60 days.

From the shipment tracking page, click on the printer icon to print a receipt. The charges you see on the billing page/receipt are only estimates. They do not include such items as duties, taxes, surcharges, etc. The actual shipping cost will appear on your credit card statement.

Carriers handle shipping issues differently so consult with your carrier for information about refunds and compensation for lost  or damaged packages.