With family and friends living near and far, sending gifts through the mail is an important part of life, but it can present challenges at times. From finding the right box to safely packing its contents, make sure your gifts are delivered on time (and in one piece!) with this step-by-step guide.
1. check shipping times & plan ahead
If you’re sending gifts over the holidays, start the process by double-checking the 2018 holiday shipping deadlines. It’s important to keep those dates in mind so your gifts arrive on time; Plus, it costs less to ship early than waiting until the last minute, and who doesn’t love that?!
2. choose the right shipping box
Use the information you’ve determined about the size, shape and weight of your items and choose the box that best suits your shipping needs. For help, use the following tips:
- Choose a box that is a few inches larger (on all sides) than anything you plan to put in it, making sure there is plenty of room for packing and cushioning. however, be careful not to buy too large a box. Not only will it cost more to ship, but you’ll also need to purchase more packaging materials to secure your items during transit.
- Choose a box that’s strong enough to contain and protect what you’re shipping by checking the weight limit on bottom flap. corrugated cardboard is an excellent option due to its durability.
Tip: Do you have a lot of old boxes from online shopping? if you decide to reuse one, first remove or cover all old labels, especially barcodes. Also check the box for water damage or torn areas that have weakened the cardboard.
3. pack it properly
The most important key to ensuring that your packages arrive at their destination in one piece is to use enough packaging materials. here are some tips to know how much is the right amount:
- Surround everything you ship with at least an inch or more of packing and padding materials on all sides. two inches is ideal, and more if the item is fragile.
- always wrap and protect each item separately.
- if shipping a hollow item such as a vase, fill it with packing material. packaging before wrapping the item in bubble wrap.
- For extremely fragile gifts, consider using two boxes and double the padding. pack the breakable item securely in a smaller box with packing material, then place it in its shipping box and wrap it with another layer of protection.
- protect against loss of a package due to a label shipping damaged by including a backing label. write the delivery and return address and place it inside the box before sealing it.
tip: postnet offers a wide selection of great packing supplies, including bubble wrap, packing pellets, and more. our shipping experts will be happy to help you figure out what you need to do to keep your gifts safe during shipping.
4. secure and seal your box
Now that your box is packed and ready to go, take the time to seal it properly. It’s important to make sure your box is secure, especially to prevent winter weather from damaging all the wonderful gifts you’re sending to family and friends. To do so, here are some tips from our postnet shipping professionals:
- To begin with, always use the correct type of tape. clear packing tape is your best choice because it will hold the box together tightly, no matter the items, unlike masking tape or duct tape.
- to secure all edges of the box, call the “h” method. . tape along each seam to form an h at both the top and bottom of the box.
- reinforce all seams, including those coming down from the corners. this is especially important if you are using a recycled box whose structural integrity may wear out after multiple uses.
Tip: Store the pretty wrapping paper and gift bows inside the shipping box. ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper can get caught in sorting machines and damage the package.
5. label your box correctly
A very important step for your gifts to reach their final destination is the label. To ensure your gifts are delivered correctly, please note the following:
- The easiest way to accomplish this step is to purchase and print your shipping label from a professional shipping center such as postnet. a shipping center will verify the address and print a label that is legible and follows the carrier’s protocol.
- if you choose to write the label yourself, always use a good pen (such as a permanent marker) and legible handwriting .
- Include both “destination” and “sender” information on your label placed on one side only.
- A complete address includes:
the recipient’s name, street, number or PO Box number street name, street suffix (ave, calle, etc.) and directional coordinates (n, s, e, w) secondary address if applicable (apartment or suite number) 5-digit city, state, and zip code
6. time to send
once your package is wrapped and ready to be shipped, skip the lines at the post office and drop it off at your nearest post office. you will get your Christmas presents under the tree with time to spare. when you come to postnet you can:
- Get help choosing the best carrier for your package. we can provide you with pricing and delivery information from all major carriers at once (both domestic and international!).
- Have our shipping professionals custom-pack your box so everything you ship is safe and secure.
- set up insurance for your package in case something happens to it on the way to its destination.
- say goodbye to calling carriers if things go wrong wrong. rest easy knowing that if, in fact, something does happen, we’ve got you covered. are items lost? we will find them received a shipment with damaged products? we’ll fix it.
li>
more shipping tips and tricks:
how to ship grandma’s cookies (and other food)
A big part of the vacation for many families is the delicious food. But sharing special gifts through the mail can seem daunting. here’s how to do it correctly:
- Place food in a well-sealed, airtight container before placing it in its shipping box.
- Ship food on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. (or overnight delivery if possible!) shipping on these days will help prevent food from sitting out over the weekend.
- if food needs to be kept cold, be sure to include gel packs frozen in its packaging.
- Track your package to ensure it is delivered and shipped in on a timely basis.
make packing and shipping gifts easy by turning to the shipping experts at postnet. find a postnet near you to get started.