Shipping Tips

Service Provider Information:

U.S. Postal Service

All packages that weigh 13 ounces or more should not be dropped in mail boxes, but instead taken to shipping locations.

Packages can receive tracking numbers at an additional cost.

Large Package classification is used when length plus girth is more than 84 inches but less than 130 inches.

Choose “package” for shipments that are 84 inches or less when adding the length and girth. The box can also be less than 1 cubic foot.

Large Envelopes are defined by the following measurements.

Dimensions Minimum Maximum
Height 61/8 inches 12 inches
Width 111/2 inches 15 inches
Thickness 1/4 inch 3/4 inch

* Large envelopes exceed at least one of these dimensions.

Items are considered irregular or unusual if any of the following are true:

  • The parcel is longer than 34 inches
  • The parcel is higher or wider than 17 inches
  • It is a glass container with more than 24 ounces of liquid
  • It is a metal or plastic container with one or more gallons of liquid
  • The parcel is insecurely wrapped
  • The parcel is metal banded
  • It is a wooden or metal box
  • The package contains books, printed matter or business forms and weighs more than 25 lbs.
  • It is a high-density parcel that weighs more than 15 lbs. and exerts more than 60 lbs. per-square-foot of pressure on its smallest side.
  • It is a film case weighing more than 5 lbs. or has strap closures (except any film case that U.S. Postal Service authorizes as “machinable” parcel)

Purchase and print Express or Priority postage online and get the following discounts:

  • Express Mail receives 3% off the retail price
  • Priority Mail receives 11% off the retail price

Services:

  • Express Mail: Overnight to most areas – packages 70 lbs. – or less
  • Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope: Overnight to most areas
  • Priority Mail: 2-3 days – packages 70 lbs. or less
  • Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope: 2-3 days
  • First Class Mail: 1-3 days – 13 oz. or less
  • Parcel Post: 2-9 days – 70 lbs. or less
  • Media Mail: 2-9 days – 70 lbs. or less

FedEx

FedEx Express and Ground allow you to ship packages that weigh 150 lbs. and that are up to 165 inches in length plus girth.

Any FedEx package that weighs more than 75 lbs. should have black and yellow heavyweight labels over the diagonal corners. FedEx will provide you with these labels.

Two identical-sized packages can be taped or bundled together to ship if their combined weight is less than 75 lbs. and the size fits within FedEx standards. Both packages must each be labeled with shipper and delivery information.

Services:

  • Same Day: Door to door within hours, availability varies- 150 lbs. or less
  • Same Day City: Door to door within hours in major U.S. cities to Zip codes within 25 miles of city center- Unlimited total shipment weight
  • First Overnight: Next-business-day delivery by 8, 8:30, 9 or 10 a.m. M-F and Saturday in some areas- 150 lbs. or less
  • Priority Overnight: Next-business-day delivery by 10:30 a.m. M-F and Saturday in some areas- 150 lbs. or less
  • Standard Overnight: Next-business-day by 3 p.m. M-F and Saturday in some areas- 150 lbs. or less
  • 2Day: By 4:30 p.m. in 2 business days, by 7 p.m. to residences M-F and Saturday in some areas- 150 lbs. or less
  • Express Saver: Delivery by 4:30 p.m. to businesses and 7 p.m. to residences in 3 business days M-F and Saturday in some areas- 150 lbs. or less
  • Ground: 1-5 business days within contiguous U.S. by end of business day M-F - 150 lbs. or less
  • Home Delivery: 1-5 business days within contiguous U.S. Tuesday-Saturday delivery between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.- 70 lbs. or less

UPS

The following weight limits are placed on packages sent. They can be up to 150 lbs., but packages that weigh more than 70 lbs. require special heavy-package labeling and will be subject to additional charges.

The package can be up to 165 inches in length plus girth and up to 108 inches in just length.

Items are considered irregular or unusual if any of the following are true:

  • The longest side of the parcel is over 60 inches or the second longest side is over 30 inches.
  • The parcel is encased in an external shipping container made of metal or wood.
  • The parcel is cylindrical and is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard container.

A $5 handling fee will be added to the shipping charge of all of these items.

Services:

  • Express Critical: Same day, time provided when order is placed
  • Next Day Air Early A.M.- Next- business-day delivery by 8 a.m. to major cities and 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to most other cities
  • Next Day Air: Next-business-day delivery by 10:30 a.m., noon or end of day depending on destination
  • Next Day Air Saver: Next-business-day delivery by 3:00 or 4:30 p.m. for businesses and by end of day for residential
  • 2nd Day Air A.M.: Delivery by 10:30 a.m. or noon to businesses on second business day
  • 2nd Day Air: Delivery by end of second business day
  • 3 Day Select: Delivery by end of 3rd business day
  • Ground: Delivered in 1 to 5 days

Packing Steps:

Step One: The Box

Choose the right box. Pick a box large enough to leave space for cushioning on all sides of the item, but not too big to cause excess space.

The box should be made of corrugated cardboard. Do not ship with thin boxes such as shoe or gift boxes.

Many shipping carriers will provide boxes for certain services. Shipping locations are also a great place to buy the appropriate boxes.

Use double-wall boxes for heavier items.

It is a good idea to put an extra layer of corrugated cardboard on top of your cushioning material to reinforce the box and protect the item from box cutters, if one is used to open the box.

When using a previously used box remove or cross out old shipping labels. Also make sure the box does not have any weak spots or cracks.

To keep smaller items safer use two boxes, place the smaller one inside the larger and place cushioning around all sides to prevent movement.

Small, durable items such as books and DVDs can be shipped in a bubble wrap envelope.

Step Two: Packing

Cushion all sides of the item with packaging material. Shredded or crumpled paper, bubble wrap, foam peanuts and plastic shopping bags will all protect your items.

Make sure that all void spaces are filled in with packaging material to prevent movement of your item.

If you are putting multiple smaller packages into one larger box make sure each item is wrapped separately and that there is cushioning between the items to prevent them from moving.

When shipping items that can easily be soiled, place them inside a bag or protective outer container before placing them in the box. This will protect them if the box gets wet or damaged. The same holds true for any small parts or granular items that are shipped.

A good way to test your packaging is to shake the box before sealing it. This allows you to check how secure the item is by listening for a rattle and peering inside of the box to see if the item has shifted.

Step Three: Sealing the Package

When sealing a package use tape that has been designed for shipping such as pressure-sensitive tape and nylon-reinforced Kraft paper tape. Duct tape, masking tape and cellophane tape should not be used.

The tape that is used should be at least 2 inches wide to ensure that it can cover all seams of the box fully. Open areas in seams have the potential to snag on machinery.

Place at least three pieces of tape on the top and bottom seams of box to ensure the package is sealed tightly.

When sealing a box, tape in the shape of the letter “H”. This means place tape down the center seam as well as along both ends. Also do this for any inside boxes to make sure nothing spills.

Do not wrap the outside of you package in paper or string. Both of these materials make the package harder to ship and some carriers will not ship a package with these materials around it.

Step Four: Labeling the Package

To correctly address a package place delivery and return address on only one side of the package and double check the address to which you are mailing.

Do not place the shipping label over a seam or on top of sealing tape. It is however a good idea to place a piece of clear shipping tape over the top of the label to protect it.

Place shipping labels on the largest surface of the package.

In addition to placing the address on the outside of the box you should also place it on the inside of the box. This way if the label or package were to get damaged the carrier could still find out where the package should be delivered or returned to.

Most shipping companies, excluding the U.S. Postal Service, will not deliver to P.O. Boxes, so you must provide a physical address to which the package will be delivered.

When shipping overseas make sure you include the country you are shipping to on the address label.

Step Five: Shipping the Package

Most people only consider large carriers when shipping items, however regional and local couriers can sometimes provide faster service for a more economical rate.

To drop off your package, find the FedEx, UPS, or U.S. Postal Service shipping location nearest to you or that has hours appropriate for your needs.

If you want to ship with a local courier search through our database and find one near you. Find a Courier (link to courier database) You may be able to get your package delivered the same day more economically with a local courier than next day with a larger carrier.

Mondays are the busiest shipping days, but also the best day to ship to ensure your package will not sit over the weekend.

Tuesday is the lightest shipping day and may be the easiest day to send a package.

Fridays are the worst day to ship express items as a number of carriers do not deliver over the weekend.

Guaranteed delivery times are based on the time of day you ship your package. This is especially true for local couriers. The earlier in the day you ship the better off you are going to be for same day and next day shipments.

5pm is the cut off time for most carrier services.

It is a good idea to purchase insurance when shipping an item. UPS and FedEx both ask for declared value and charge according to the value entered. U.S. Postal Service offers insurance that can be bought based on value increments.

To ensure you are paying the correct amount for a package you are shipping online, buy a digital scale for your home or office. This will provide you with the correct weight when seeking rates.

Save Money

The easiest way to save money is by getting carriers’ rates and choosing the cheapest one.

Do not wait until the last minute to ship; shipping well in advance will allow you to use a more economical, but slower method of shipping.

Combine your packages whenever possible. The first pound of a package is the most expensive to send so by combining smaller packages into one you are paying a lower cost to ship overall.

Look into flat rate shipping options. Depending on the size and weight of the item you are shipping, using a flat rate box could give you a lower rate.

Specialty Shipping Instructions

Fragile Items

If the item is fragile use a double-box system and ensure the item has 3 inches of cushioning around the smaller box. It is also a good idea to place fragile items in the center of the box.

When shipping a fragile, hollow item, fill the item with packing material. This will better support and protect the item.

The glass should either be removed from picture frames and wrapped separately before being placed in the box or masking tape should be placed in a criss-cross pattern on the glass to prevent it from cracking.

If it is possible remove paintings from their frames when shipping. The painting will be safer if you roll the painting, paint side in, around a cardboard tube, wrap it in bubble wrap and then place it inside a larger tube.

Write fragile on the package and draw arrows on the box that show which end is up. While shipping companies may not always follow the arrows, it is a good step to take to aid in the safe delivery of your package.

When sending stringed musical instruments, loosen the strings to lessen tension on the instrument.

Liquids

Make sure any bottles or containers that are holding liquid are placed upright in the box. It is also recommended to wrap the container in a bag or plastic, as it is required that the inner package be able to contain any leaks that might occur.

Do not ship Perfume and cologne as they are considered hazardous items because they are flammable.

Perishable

Food should be placed in an airtight container or plastic bag, and then placed in a box.

Old coffee containers and potato chip tubes are great for shipping food or other perishable items.

To ship cookies first pack them tightly in tins, bags or boxes, then place them in a larger box and surround them with packing material. When using a tin place plastic wrap over the top of the tin before placing the lid on it. This will help the cookies stay fresher.

Insulation should be used when necessary to help control the temperature of the object. The best insulations to use are expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, rigid polyurethane foam and reflective materials (Radiant barrier films).

Ice is not recommended to be used when shipping, however dry ice and gel coolants can be used.

To ship an item with gel coolant, place the item in an insulated container. Then place the coolant inside and make sure it is properly sealed. Place the insulated container into a box.

If shipping with dry ice it has its own regulations and is consider a hazardous material for air transport, so it requires special handling. Dry ice should never be placed in an air tight container.

When shipping with dry ice the following labels are required to be written on the outside of the package:

  • “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide Solid”
  • “UN 1845”
  • Net weight of dry ice in kilograms
  • Name and address of the shipper
  • Name and address of the recipient

Items should be shipped at the beginning of the week to ensure it does not sit over the weekend.

It is also recommended to ship overnight so the product does not spoil. Remember that Sunday and Holidays are not considered when calculating what day a package will be delivered.

Write “perishable” on the box.

Printed Materials

To prevent individual materials from shifting around inside the box, bind or wrap the materials together before placing them inside the box.

It is a good idea to wrap the paper items in plastic or place them in a bag to prevent damage.

Plants and Flowers

Before shipping plants make sure it is legal to send them to your destination state. Some states have rules and regulations about what plant material can go in and out.

Ship vases and containers without water, and make sure all of the soil is covered and secured.

Make sure your plants are watered before shipping to ensure they will stay moist. It is important to wrap the bottom of the plant in plastic to make sure there are not any leaks. Another good idea is to wrap moist newspaper around the roots and then again in plastic, to keep the roots moist throughout the shipping process.

Place arrows on the box that point towards the top and place the shipping label on the top to let the shipping company know which end should be up.

Secure containers within the box to prevent from moving around during shipping.

Automotive Parts

Make sure all parts have been drained and emptied of all liquids or be able to demonstrate that they are in packaging that won’t leak.

Wrap wheels in a plastic liner and make sure it is very well taped up. If it is a decorated wheel be sure to place in a box as well.

Cushion and box all decorative auto parts to make sure they do not get damaged.

Package cylindrical parts in tubes and make sure there is enough padding around all sides so they do not move during shipping.

Make sure all sharp edges and corners are padded before boxed to ensure they do not poke through the box or cause any other damage.

Undeveloped Film

Packages should be marked that there is undeveloped film inside the package.

Electronics

When shipping electronics, pull the batteries out the device and wrap them separately in the box. This will ensure that the electronic won’t accidentally turn on.

Disassemble anything that is fragile and wrap them separately in the box. Be sure to wrap cords with rubber bands or twist ties and place labels on any loose cords and parts.

If sending computer equipment or other electronic devices, wrap the device in an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) bag to prevent static from building up and possibly damaging things.

Before shipping a camera, remove all batteries and memory cards and wrap them in the box separately. It is also a good idea to seal the camera in plastic before shipping. This will prevent packing material and dust from getting into the camera or affecting the lens.

Hazardous Materials

Each carrier has special instructions on shipping hazardous materials and which ones they allow. Contact the carrier directly if you have specific questions.