Methods useful for processing shipping elements such as boxes, envelopes, and transport devices during transfer. In one embodiment, the shipping element contains an item being shipped by a user, and the method includes providing the user access to a computerized user interface by which at least information relating to the shipping element can be remotely obtained by the user. During at least one point during shipping, the shipping element is evaluated with respect to at least one physical parameter, and the user is informed via the user interface as to a status or condition of the at least one physical parameter. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency device is inserted into the shipping element along with a user item to be shipped, and the device is used as a basis for the remote provision of information relating to the shipping element during at least a portion of the shipping.

Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.

Methods, computer systems, and memory media for preparing instructions for printing a plurality of postage items. A graphical user interface (GUI) receives first user input. Responsive to the user input, an addressee data file is uploaded, features are extracted from a plurality of columns of the addressee data file, and the plurality of columns are associated with respective address field types based on the extracted features. The GUI displays an indication of the association between columns and address field types. User input may modify or correct the association. Responsive to second user input, instructions are prepared for printing entries from the columns of the addressee data file on respective postage items of the plurality of postage items as respective address fields, and the instructions are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium.

Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.