The print shipping label service is temporarily unavailable, please try again

[PayPal_Olivia]

Hi everyone,

I've consolidated several threads into this one, so everyone can see answers in the same place.

The error message is a little confusing because it's generic. I'm sorry about that, but I can clarify here.

This error most commonly occurs when there is a formatting discrepancy on one of the addresses going on the label. It can be either the ship-to address OR the ship-from address. Even addresses that have passed validation previously may trip up the validation on subsequent attempts, so it is important to check both addresses even if they have worked before.

Go to http://www.usps.com and click to "Look up a zip code". Paste in the buyer's address. If the USPS has the address listed in different formatting, edit it for the label. Remove a business name if that differs. Change "street" to "st" if that's how the USPS has it. Remove trailing spaces if the address you pasted in has them. The validation can be finicky!

If the error continues to occur, do the same for your ship-from address. Even if it has worked previously, you may find that this resolves the problem.

I hope this helps!

Olivia

[artgal]

I'm having the same problem. The level of Customer noService is incredible!  Looks like I'm forced to use stamps.com to get my shipments out.

The lack of support on these "help" forums is shameful. PayPal is incredible rude and non-caring of it's customers. Anyone can accept a server issue from time to time but the lack of any kind of response to customers who are waiting and depending on the service for the success of their business is inexcusable!

Unbelievably disappointing!

[mapamus]

I've seen this message for most of Oct 12th and now into the am of the 13th.

It reads: "The print shipping label service is temporarily unavailable, please try again."

I am unable to service orders.  This is NOT an incorrect address issue as I can't even get to a screen that allows me to create or edit.  Why is this taking so long to remain unresolved?  WHEN will it be fixed??

[pitpromx]

Having the same problem here.

[brewhardware]

The weird thing is that when this happens against a transaction, the problem never goes away for that transaction. For a while I thought the shipping service was down but when you try to print a label for another transaction it works fine.

The ONLY workaround I've ever found was to initiate a paypal label print that is NOT related to any transaction, copy and paste the shipping address from the transaction. Once you print the label, copy the tracking number to the original in the "mark as shipped" or "add tracking info" function.

I process about 12-15 orders a day and I have to do this about once or twice a week. I've called tech support for the first 3 times or so but none of the reps have ever had any clue. In fact, most of them just suggesting waiting a few more minutes and trying again rather than knowing that it's a permanent bug that gets tied to some transactions. I can't figure out the pattern but you'd hope the staff would.

[donc]

Hi I have problems with shipping for over 2 weeks now. One time it came up ebay shipping. I think they are changing it.

[tinman67]

yep, same problem here, 10/15, 10 am eastern time.  This is not an ebay transaction--I am trying to use the shipping feature directly for a non-ebay shipment.

[tinman67]

ah, i finally got around it...i was using mozilla but when I switched to Explorer, I was able to print out my labels.

I think there is some cookie or something on PCs for people who are having this problem consistently.  Clear out your browser cookies/cache and see if that helps.

Also, I ran into a page that indicates PayPal shipping is indeed changing...it's now 'powered by ebay' or will be shortly....i think this means no more shipping through PayPal unless the transaction is via ebay.

[brewhardware]

Just because you found something "powered by Ebay" doesn't suggest that shipping can't be used for paypal button merchants. I think the shipping app is already an original Ebay integration because it's the only function supported in multi-label shipping.

[keithl334]

I have been getting this error message since Thursday, 10/13/11. Still not able to ship any packages to my customers. This is going to cause negative feedback for sellers that are not able to get out to go to the post office to purchase shipping for their packages. I think PayPal should have to reimburse us in some way. It is not our fault they are having technical issues that they can't get resolved & they can't even tell us, approximately, when this is going to be resolved. This is not good for anyone's business. Has anyone heard any updates on this issue being resolved by PayPal?

[Zumba777]

I am having the same problem.  2 days now.  When will PayPal fix this problem?