Current Dispatch

The Current Dispatch page displays the receptacles and packages being shipped to each Inbound Office of Exchange (OE). If your location is not using receptacles, this page will show packages only.

This page allows you to:

• Set the Expected Ship Date for the dispatch.
• View information for packages in the dispatch.
• Remove packages from the open dispatch.
• Update the weight of a package, if it is incorrect.
• Freeze an open dispatch (if your location uses this feature).
• Create a partial dispatch report.
• Close the dispatch.

Set the Expected Ship Date

You can set the Expected Ship Date for an open dispatch as long as no packages have been added to it.  If this is the case, the Current Dispatch page will show: "Expected Ship Date: NOT SET".  Click the NOT SET link to enter the date and time that you will hand off the dispatch to the USPS.  

If you have already added packages to the current dispatch without setting the Expected Ship Date, or do not wish to set an Expected Ship Date, the date will automatically be set to the current date.

Viewing Package Information or Removing Packages

Locate the Package ID and then click View to view the package information.

You can click Remove to remove the package from the open dispatch if the package must not be sent. Confirm that you want to remove the package by clicking OK at the "Are you sure?" prompt; otherwise, click Cancel.  

The package record remains in the GSS database, and you can add the package to a different dispatch at any time.  You can also add it back to the current open dispatch if you removed it by mistake.  The steps for adding a removed package to another dispatch are the same as for processing a package, except that since the package has already been processed you will not be able to modify the package information.

Update a Package's Weight

Sometimes the weight information provided for the package is incorrect.  For accurate postage calculation, you must update the package weight.

A package is eligible to have its weight updated if:

• It is not mapped to a receptacle.
• The weight does not exceed the expected weight for the assigned service level.
• It is not part of a multiple package set (for example, Box 1 of 3).
• The content items' total weight is less than or equal to the package weight.
• The package is not part of a frozen dispatch.

Locate the package that you would like to update, and click its Package ID to view its information.   Update the package's weight and then click the Update Package Weight button.  

For international packages, GSS reprints the package label.  You should place the new mailing label over the original one, so that the original label does not show.  Do the same for any other labels that have been adhered to the package.  If the other original labels are in a plastic sleeve, discard them and place the remaining new labels in the plastic sleeve.

For domestic labels, GSS records the new package weight but does not print new labels.

Freezing a Dispatch

To "freeze" an open dispatch, or put it into a paused or pre-closed state, click the dispatch's Freeze Dispatch button.  GSS displays the Dispatch Freeze Confirmation page.  Enter a unique Frozen Dispatch ID and then click OK to freeze the dispatch, or Cancel to cancel the freeze and return to the Current Dispatch page.

The Frozen Dispatches help topic provides information about managing dispatches that have been frozen.

Create a Partial Dispatch Report

Partial dispatch reports are detailed manifest reports that show the packages and receptacles included in the current open dispatch. These reports are intended for mailers to show to USPS validation clerks visiting their facility, in the case that the dispatch has not yet been closed for the day.

To view a partial dispatch report, click the Show Partial Dispatch Report link next to the appropriate destination location. GSS displays the partial dispatch report for that location in a new browser window.  If you wish, you can print the report from this window.

Important: When working with partial dispatch reports, please remember:

• GSS recalculates postage rates when a dispatch is closed, and rates should not be considered final until that time.  Therefore postage rates shown on partial dispatch reports may differ from rates shown on closed dispatch reports.
• Partial dispatch reports should not be included with closed dispatch reports when handing off packages to the USPS for delivery.

Closing a Dispatch

To close a dispatch, click the Close Disp button associated with the destination.  The Close a Dispatch help topic includes more information about closing dispatches.