Experiencing unusual USPS label price adjustments?

Shopify Discussion
,

Topic summary

On July 4th around 7:30 PM, numerous Shopify merchants experienced a massive wave of fraudulent USPS shipping label adjustments, with charges ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. One seller reported over 30 adjustments totaling $700, while another was hit with approximately $5,000 in unexpected charges.

The Issue:

  • Adjustments cited incorrect weight/dimensions, but merchants had intentionally rounded up weights to avoid such charges
  • Many packages showed impossible weights (0.16 oz—less than an empty box)
  • Charges of $22+ appeared on First Class packages where dimensional weight doesn’t apply
  • Dimension discrepancies were fractions of an inch that wouldn’t affect pricing

Merchant Frustrations:

  • Initial support responses were unhelpful, directing sellers to contact USPS or file claims themselves
  • Shopify holds the merchant shipping account, making independent dispute filing ineffective
  • Charges processed during regular billing cycles despite the acknowledged error
  • Some merchants incurred overdraft fees and had to postpone sales/shipments
  • Support estimated 12k-50k adjustments were impacted (potentially $1.1M+ in erroneous charges)

Resolution:

  • Shopify eventually confirmed a USPS billing system error affecting July 4-5 shipments
  • Refunds/credits were promised and began rolling out
  • Merchants expressed anger over lack of transparency, delayed communication, and inadequate compensation for secondary damages (overdraft fees, lost sales)
  • No claims filing with USPS required for affected merchants
Summarized with AI on November 2. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
85

I got the email that they are refunding the amount that has been billed to me already ($440) but giving me shipping credit for the amount that hasn’t been billed yet ($154) bc it didn’t reach threshold fees yet. They said I should have a shipping credit and see it in my credit section but I don’t yet, hopefully it’s in asap though because I need to ship my orders and don’t want the incurred fees to be billed before I get the credit. Ugh. Also not surprised how they added the “By accepting this credit, you agree that Shopify is not responsible or liable for any amounts or claims related to any aspect of this matter.” Not surprising that they aren’t taking full responsibility

edit: the credit is now in, but I don’t see the refund processing yet in the billing section like the email says. hopefully soon though

1 Like