SERVICES
80.15
Revised 5-11
SHIPPING SERVICE
Central Receiving processes outgoing shipments for University departments located on the Pullman campus. The respective campus mailing services offices process outgoing shipments for departments located at WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, and WSU Vancouver.
Using the campus shipping and mailing services offices enables WSU to minimize service vehicle traffic on the Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and V ancouver campuses.
Overnight Service
Use Central Receiving or campus mailing services for overnight shipments by Federal Express or other carriers offering overnight service. See also 80.28.
Assistance
Contact Central Receiving or campus mailing services for assistance and advice. Central Receiving and campus mailing services personnel can explain shipping and routing options. Central Receiving and the campus mail service offices also provide rate quotes and insurance prices. See also 80.28 regarding freight discounts and SPPM 5.40 regarding shipping hazardous materials.
WSU Pullman
For more information concerning WSU Pullman shipping services, see the Central Receiving website at:
or telephone 509-335-5575.
Hazardous Materials
Prior to requesting shipment of hazardous materials, refer to SPPM 5.40 and the Office of Research Assurances Hazardous Materials Shipping website at:
WSU Spokane
For more information concerning WSU Spokane shipping services, contact Mail Services at 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., SCF 410A; telephone 509-368-6995.
Hazardous Materials
Prior to requesting shipment of hazardous materials, refer to SPPM 5.40.
WSU Tri-Cities
For more information concerning WSU Tri-Cities shipping services, contact the Copy/Mail Center; telephone 509-372-7273.
Hazardous Materials
Prior to requesting shipment of hazardous materials, refer to SPPM 5.40 and the Copy/Mail Center website at:
WSU Vancouver
For more information concerning all WSU Vancouver shipping services, see the WSU Vancouver Mailroom website at:
or telephone 360-546-9708.
Hazardous Materials
Prior to shipping hazardous materials, WSU Vancouver departments are to refer to SPPM 5.40 and the Mailroom website at:
http://inside.vancouver.wsu.edu/mailroom/hazardous-materials
REQUEST FORM
Shipping request forms direct the campus receiving or shipping office to:
- Ship an outgoing package, or
- Return an item to a vendor for any reason (this includes any item given directly to a vendor's representative).
Request Forms or Documents
See below for shipping request forms or documents which are available for use by campus departments.
WSU Pullman and WSU Tri-Cities
WSU Pullman and WSU Tri-Cities departments use the Request for Shipment of Merchandise form to request shipping services. The form is available for free from University Stores (US). Request US item number 3979. (See 70.35 for University Stores ordering procedures.)
WSU Spokane
WSU Spokane departments use the online Shipping Request Form available at:
WSU Vancouver
WSU Vancouver departments may obtain FedEx or UPS shipping forms from the Mailroom. Request instructions are available on the Mailroom website at:
Shipping Request Form Completion Instructions
The following numbered explanations correspond to the numbered sections on the Request for Shipment of Merchandise form sample in the PDF version of 80.15.3. Unnumbered sections are considered self-explanatory. NOTE: Other shipping request forms may include similar sections for users to complete.
Ship To (1)
Always complete the SHIP TO section of the form.
Ship Via (2)
Specify how Central Receiving (or campus shipping services) is to send the item.
Auto
Auto freight (large truck); used for large bulky items, e.g., items on pallets, furniture. Shipment over 200 pounds are shipped by auto freight.
Ground
Ground transport; used when time is not a factor to minimize expense.
Air Priority Overnight
Air delivery by 10:30 a.m. the next business morning to designated locations.
Air Standard Overnight
Air delivery by 3:00 p.m. the next business afternoon.
Air 2-Day
Air delivery by 4:30 p.m. the afternoon two business days after the day ordered.
Air 3-Day
Air delivery by 4:30 p.m. the afternoon three business days after the day ordered.
Prepaid Label
Items being returned to a vendor on a prepaid label. This label may be a United Parcel Service (UPS) call tag, a Return Service (RS) label, or a Federal Express (FedEx) ground Package Return Program (PRP) tag.
Insurance (3)
Indicate whether or not the package should be insured.
To purchase insurance check yes and specify the value of the package. If the form describes more than one package, place a number on each package. On the form enter each package's value next to the package number. Use an attachment if necessary.
Billing (4)
Indicate how Central Receiving (or campus shipping services) is to bill the shipping.
Prepaid
Accounts Payable charges the specified University account for the shipping charges.
Freight Collect
This applies to auto freight. Collect freight is charged to the department shipping the goods.
Bill Recipient
This applies to UPS and FedEx shipments. The recipient pays for the shipping charges.
Include the UPS or FedEx account number on the request in order for the request to be shipped collect. Include any authorization from the recipient which indicates a willingness to pay the shipping charges. If the recipient refuses the collect shipment, the department is responsible for shipping costs.
COD
COD (Collect on Delivery) directs Central Receiving (or campus shipping services) to ship COD on UPS. Obtain prior approval from the recipient before shipping COD.
Department Account (5)
Enter the coding of the WSU account paying for the shipping services.
Description of Merchandise (6)
Describe the package contents. Central Receiving (or campus shipping services) uses this description to help find lost packages and file damage claims.
Hazardous Material (7)
Complete this section if shipping hazardous material. See also SPPM 5.40.
- Confirm whether or not the package contains hazardous material;
- Indicate the description and weight of dry ice in kilograms (kg.);
- Provide the name of the hazardous material package preparer.
Returning Merchandise (8)
Complete the RETURNING MERCHANDISE section in addition to the SHIP TO section when returning merchandise to a vendor.
Purchase Order Number (9)
Enter the Purchase Order Number in the block showing the alpha prefix from the purchase order that initiated the original purchase.
NOTE: A Purchase Order Number includes an F, B, or K prefix. F represents a Field Order Number, B a Blanket Order Number, and K a Department Order.
Reason for Return (10)
Indicate the reason for returning the merchandise.
Contact With Vendor? (11)
Enter the details of any contact with the vendor regarding the merchandise. Include any directions. Include the vendor contact name and telephone number.
Return Authorization No. (12)
Enter a return authorization number if the vendor provides one. If the vendor provides a return number, the number must be referenced on the outside of the box in order to correctly return the merchandise. Many vendors do not accept returned merchandise without a Returned Merchandise Authorization number.
Authorized Signature (13)
An employee with expenditure authority for the account must sign the form if the department is paying the shipment costs. See 70.02 for an explanation of expenditure authority.
Mail Code (14)
Enter the department's mail code.
Form Routing
The department retains a copy (the goldenrod sheet, if using the Request for Shipment of Merchandise form) as a control copy.
Route the rest of the form set with the merchandise.
REQUEST PICKUP
Contact the campus shipping services office to request merchandise pickup.
- WSU Pullman senders contact Central Receiving; telephone 335-5575.
- WSU Spokane senders contact Mail Services; telephone 509-368-6995.
- WSU Tri-Cities senders contact the Copy/Mail Center; telephone 509-372-7273.
- WSU Vancouver senders contact the Mailroom; telephone 360-546-9708.
SHIPMENT
Central Receiving or campus shipping services ships the merchandise and distributes the remaining shipment request form parts.
Original (White)
The original (white sheet) is routed to Accounts Payable, Controller's Office. (Accounts Payable charges the shipping costs, insurance, and/or packing charges to the indicated account.)
Campus Shipping Office Copy (Yellow)
Central Receiving or the campus shipping services office files a copy (yellow sheet).
Department Copy (Pink)
Central Receiving or the campus shipping services office returns a copy (pink sheet) to the department.
TRACKING PACKAGES
To track a lost package or to verify that a sent package has been received, the user must have the tracking number provided on the Request for Shipment of Merchandise or shipping verification from the campus shipping services office. The tracking number is located in the upper righthand corner of the Request for Shipment form under Carrier No.
United Parcel Service
Look up the tracking number on the Request for Shipment of Merchandise form or shipping verification returned by the campus shipping office. When tracking a package with UPS, always add the prefix "1Z942281" to the the tracking number on the request form. With the complete tracking number UPS can provide immediate proof of delivery.
UPS shipments may be tracked by telephone or online.
Telephone
To track a package by telephone through UPS dial the 800 telephone number. Provide the representative with the tracking number. Also, provide UPS with the WSU shipper number (942-281).
Online
To access UPS tracking information online, go to:
- Select "Tracking"
- Enter the UPS tracking number
- Select "Submit"
Federal Express
Federal Express (FedEx) shipments may be tracked by telephone or online.
Telephone
Dial the 800 telephone number for FedEx. Provide the representative with the tracking number from the FedEx Airbill or applicable Request for Shipment of Merchandise form.
Online
To access FedEx tracking information online, go to:
- Select "Tracking"
- Enter the FedEx Airbill number
- Select "Request Tracking Info"
Auto Freight Carriers
Large items usually weighing 150 pounds or more are shipments sent via auto freight. These shipments may be tracked by pro numbers. (The term "pro number" is short for progressive number and is a transportation industry term used primarily by transportation providers.)
Use one of the following methods for tracking inbound or outbound auto freight:
Inbound Freight
Contact the vendor to obtain the pro number. (See above for definition of "pro number.") The vendor or campus shipping services can provide tracking information for an inbound shipment.
Outbound Freight
The pro number is located under Carrier No. on the Request for Shipment of Merchandise form or shipment confirmation, or may be obtained by contacting the campus shipping services office. Campus shipping services provides tracking information for outbound shipments.
Other Carriers
Dial the 800 telephone number for the other carrier. Provide the representative with the tracking number from the carrier document.
PACKING MERCHANDISE
Follow these steps when packing merchandise for shipment.
Container
Use a corrugated carton. Choose one having rigid construction with all the flaps intact. Remove old addresses and shipper numbers.
Cushioning
Pack with plenty of cushioning. Use at least two inches of cushioning material under, around, over and between the shipped items. The contents should not move inside the container during transit.
Sealing/Taping
Do not wrap the box with paper. Seal the carton with sturdy fiberglass tape. Do not use cellophane tape, masking tape, or string.
Labeling
Type or clearly print the address information on labels. Type the recipient address on one label. Type the department's campus return on a separate label.
Place the labels on the top of the carton but not over the tape. Place the department's campus return label in the upper left corner. Include telephone numbers for both parties.
Place a duplicate label inside the carton. Duplicate the information appearing on the outside package label.