Can I pay for my postage via ACH Plaid directly in Ordoro?

  • Last updated:
  • Kristen with Ordoro
  • USPS

Ordoro integrates with Plaid to let you pay for postage using a connected bank account (ACH). This article explains how ACH payments work, how to connect your account, and what to expect during the transfer process.

Note: Please contact Ordoro Support to enable ACH via Plaid in your account.

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Overview of postage ACH payments

With Plaid-enabled ACH transfers, you can link your bank account to fund your postage balance directly in Ordoro. This payment method is ideal if you’d prefer to avoid using a credit card.

Important notes:

  • ACH payments are not automatic.
  • If your bank account is the default payment method, you must manually add funds when needed.
  • Only one ACH transfer can be active at a time.

If your postage balance drops below zero, you’ll need to either:

  • Add funds via a connected credit card, or
  • Wait for the ACH transfer to settle before creating new shipping labels.

Note: Auto-fill currently works with credit cards only.

Steps to link your bank account

Note: Please contact Ordoro Support to enable ACH via Plaid in your account.

  1. Go to Settings → Billing in your Ordoro account.
  2. Click Add Payment Method.

  1. If you already have a Default Payment Method for Postage, click Manage Payment Methods.

  1. Choose Add a Bank/ACH Account.

  1. Select one of the following connection methods:

Instant Match

  1. Click Continue to begin connecting your bank account with Plaid.

  1. Follow the on-screen prompts to select and authorize your bank.
  2. Once the connection is complete, you’ll be redirected to the Edit Payment Account modal. Your bank account will appear as a listed payment method.
  3. Enter your:

Manually Enter Account Info

  1. Click Continue as guest.

  1. Scroll to the bottom and choose Link with account numbers.

  1. Enter your bank routing and account number.
  2. Depending on your bank, you may:
    • Receive a micro-deposit (usually $0.01) within 24 hours
    • Be asked to verify a code in Ordoro
    • Be redirected to your bank to authorize the connection
  3. Once the connection is complete, you’ll be redirected to the Edit Payment Account modal. Your bank account will appear as a listed payment method.
  4. Enter your:

Postage purchase process

  1. When you click Add Postage:
    • Select which account to use.
    • The ACH processing speed (see below for details)
    • The amount of postage to add.
  2. Based on your selections, the fees will be shown in addition to the postage amount.

  1. Once you click Add Postage, Ordoro will first authorize the transaction.
  2. If approved, we will initiate the bank transfer.
  3. Your postage balance will be updated once the transfer status changes to settled.

Transfer statuses:

  • Pending: Created, can be canceled
  • Posted: Sent to the payment network
  • Settled: Completed and postage balance increases
  • Canceled: You canceled before it posted
  • Failed: Bank rejected the transfer (see below)
  • Returned: Bank reversed the funds after settling (see below)

You can view your ACH transfers and payment history in Billing → Export Postage Payment History. See details here.

Explaining processing fees

Standard transfers settle within 1–2 business days, depending on your bank. Same Day ACH will be within the same business day. Fees are automatically applied when your bank account is connected.

  • Standard ACH:
    • 1% of the transaction
    • $0.05 base fee
    • Max fee: $5
  • Same Day ACH (if available):
    • 1.5% of the transaction
    • $0.05 base fee
    • Max fee: $5

How the cap works to your benefit: The processing fee cap means you’ll never pay more than $5 in fees, no matter how much postage you purchase at once.

For example:

  • A $100 postage purchase via Standard ACH = $1.05 fee (1% + $0.05)

  • A $500 purchase = $5.05 fee, but only $5 is charged due to the cap

  • A $1,000 purchase = fee still capped at $5

You can save on fees if you frequently purchase higher postage amounts, consolidating your funding into fewer, larger transfers.

How APVs work with ACH payments

An Account Payable Value (APV) occurs when there’s insufficient postage balance to cover a shipping label.

If your credit card is the default payment method:

  • We’ll automatically collect the APV amount and allow label generation.

If your ACH account is the default payment method:

  • Ordoro will not auto-initiate a transfer.
  • Your postage balance will show a negative amount.
  • You will be unable to create shipping labels until:
    • You manually fund your postage balance, or
    • Switch to a credit card payment method.

This prevents small, unintended bank transfers and gives you more control over funding.

Exporting your Postage Payment history

You can download a CSV file that shows your full postage payment history in Billing → Export postage payment history. This export includes payments made through credit cards, NetZero, and now ACH (bank transfers via Plaid).

We include records for transfers that are in a Settled or Pending status. If a transfer is still processing or has already completed, you’ll see it in the export.

To export:

  1. Go to Settings → Billing.
  2. Click Export Postage Payment History.
  3. Download the file as a CSV.

What’s included in the export:

  1. id: A unique numerical ID assigned to each transaction.
  2. amount: The total dollar amount of the postage transfer or refund.
    • This will include the postage and any ACH fees.
  3. created_date: The date and time the transaction was initiated in Ordoro.
  4. settled_date: The date and time the transaction was successfully completed and the funds were added to (or removed from) your postage balance.
  5. description: Extra info, especially helpful if the payment was declined before the transfer even started. For example, it might say “Declined – account not supported.”
  6. outcome_seller_message: If a transaction fails, this column may include the message returned by the payment processor with details about why.
  7. card_type: If the payment was made by credit card, this shows the card type (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, Amex).
  8. last4: The last four digits of the credit card used for the transaction.
  9. account_name: The name of the bank or card account used for the transfer.
  10. network: Indicates the payment processor or network used to complete the transaction (e.g., Stripe, Plaid).
  11. transfer_status: Tells you if the transfer is pending, settled, failed, or another status.
  12. transfer_failure_reason: If a transfer fails, this field explains why. If there’s no failure, the field is blank.
  13. authorization_decision: The result of the authorization step (e.g., APPROVED, DECLINED).

This export helps you track which payments were processed, their type, and if any issues occurred. If you ever encounter a transfer that failed or was declined, use the information in the export to guide your next steps or reach out to Support for assistance.

What happens if a transfer fails or is returned

Ordoro will lock all your payment accounts if a transfer fails for security reasons. Contact our Support team to verify your account and unlock it.

If a transfer is returned after being settled, your postage balance will still reflect the original amount, but you will owe that amount back. Please add new funds to bring your balance out of the negative.

How refunds work

If your account is deactivated and you need a postage refund, our Support team can initiate a refund back to your original bank account.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use ACH for Auto-fill?
    • Not yet. Auto-fill is only available for credit cards. ACH support may be added in the future.

  1. How long do ACH transfers take?
    • Standard transfers settle within 1–2 business days, depending on your bank. Same Day ACH will be within the same business day.
  2. Can I cancel a transfer?
  3. Why is my transfer failing?
    • Common reasons include incorrect bank info, insufficient funds, or bank rejection. Reach out to your bank for details or contact us for help.

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