Mail Holiday Packages With Care

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With 19 billion cards, letters and packages expected to be delivered this holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service has some tips to help get gifts to their destination swiftly and safely.

"The Postal Service is making it easier to ship packages to family and friends this season," says Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer Patrick R. Donahoe. "Proper addressing and proper packaging will help us give every gift the service it deserves."

The Postal Service offers free, environmentally friendly Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes and envelopes. These supplies can be ordered at usps.com or picked up at a local Post Office.

"The best shipping value may be our Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes," says Donahoe. "No calculating of postage or weighing is needed. If it fits, it ships."

The Postal Service also offers pre-packaged shipping products, READY POST, sold at local Post Offices for customers needing sturdy, secure boxes and envelopes.

"Save money on Priority and Express Mail prices when you mail online with Click-N-Ship," adds Donahoe. "The more you ship, the more you save. And when a package is ready to be shipped, log on to usps.com/pickup to schedule free package pickup from home or office. Skip the trip and do all of your shipping online."

Helpful packaging tips:

-- Make sure packages are able to withstand processing without the
contents or packaging breaking.
-- Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or "foam peanuts" so they
do not shift during transit.
-- Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same
box.
-- Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately.
-- Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items
are shifting, add more cushioning.
-- Mark packages "Fragile" in large print on the outside of the box when
shipping materials that might be more likely to break.
-- When re-using a box make sure previous labels and markings are covered
before mailing.
-- Mark "Perishable" on packages that contain food or other items that
can spoil.
-- Place an extra address label with the delivery and return address
inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could
not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.
-- Always use tape designed for sealing shipping boxes. Do not use
string, cellophane and masking tape to seal packages.
-- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. and measure up to 130 inches in
combined length and width. Make sure the width is measured around the
largest point of the package.


Guidelines for addressing envelopes and packages:

-- Print complete address clearly.
-- A complete address includes:
-- the recipient's name
-- Post Office Box or street number
-- street name
-- suffix (Ave., St., etc.)
-- directional (N, S, E, W)
-- secondary address (apartment or suite number)
-- city, state and 5-digit ZIP Code
-- For example: 123 S. Main St. Apt 4, Washington, DC 20001
-- Use the proper ZIP Code. ZIP Codes can be found at usps.com or by
calling 1-800-ASK-USPS.
-- Print the delivery and return addresses on the same side of the
envelope or package.
-- Always use a return address. It tells the Postal Service where to
return mail if it cannot be delivered.


The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:

Dec. 4 -- Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 -- Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 -- Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 -- First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 -- Priority Mail
Dec. 23 -- Express Mail


Due to security requirements, packages bearing postage stamps that weigh more than 13 ounces must be presented to a letter carrier or retail associate at the Post Office and cannot be dropped in blue collection boxes.

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