The Registered Billing Postcode field in both the Add Shipping Account UI and API is now required in the following scenarios:

• Creating a new Production shipping account.
• Switching an existing account from Sandbox to Production, if the account does not already have a Registered Billing Postcode.

This change ensures compliance with Royal Mail’s account validation and sign-off process requirements and improves data accuracy during onboarding.

The SAPIENT system now supports automatic retrieval of OBA Access Codes when adding a new Royal Mail shipping account, updating the Royal Mail shipping accounts from Sandbox to Production, or linking a new shipping location to an existing shipping account via UI and API. This enhancement leverages Royal Mail’s new Get Access Code API to validate account details in real time and eliminate the current 2–5-day approval delay. With it, customers can now experience a faster, more efficient onboarding process without needing manual intervention from the Royal Mail OBA team.

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Note

For more information on the OBA Access Code API and Royal Mail's sign-off process, refer to the Royal Mail OBA account validation and sign-off section.

Soon, a fully asynchronous shipment manifesting process will be introduced across the SAPIENT API and UI, allowing customers to submit manifest requests without waiting for completion.

• API endpoints: The following two new endpoints will be added to our existing Manifests API endpoint.
  • Manifest Shipments Async. To submit the manifest requests to be processed asynchronously. This endpoint accepts the same parameters as the existing Manifests endpoint, excluding the async parameter.
  • Get Manifest Request Status: To check the status of the submitted manifest request with optional detailed responses, including manifest images when complete.
• Manifest webhook: To configure a manifest webhook via the UI to receive automatic updates when a manifest request completes or fails, with retry logic and suspension handling.
• Manifest via UI: To get real-time progress on async manifest in a separate pop-up dialog and access to completed manifests through the Manifest History page.

The Royal Mail label templates for express weekend services have been updated to include the following:

• Safeplace: For parcels that can be left in a designated safeplace location upon delivery, enhancing customer satisfaction by providing flexibility while maintaining security.

• DO NOT FLY (LQDG): For parcels containing Limited Quantity Dangerous Goods (LQDG) that cannot be transported via air, land, or sea. This label prominently displays the DO NOT FLY instruction to prevent mishandling and ensure compliance with the safety regulations.

• Combined Safeplace + DO NOT FLY: For parcels that are subjected to both safeplace and LQDG. This label includes instructions for leaving the parcel in a safeplace location while also highlighting that the contents are subject to the DO NOT FLY requirement due to hazardous materials.