Q&A for How to Ship a Package at the Post Office

A small, non-fragile item can be mailed in a padded envelope.

Your carrier will pick up your item for delivery if you schedule a pick-up at USPS.com/pickup.

Yes, as long as the mailing and return addresses are clearly visible.

Yes.

The Postal Service will not pack or wrap items for their customers.

No, but it's to your advantage if you do, particularly if for some reason the package cannot be delivered.

Both, if possible. If you have only one label, put it on the top surface.

Yes.

No, an ID is not required to ship a package.

Yes.

That's all you have to put on the parcel. The postal clerk will add postage and an indication of any special services you've requested, such as insurance, certification, registration, Express delivery, return receipt, or customs declaration.

Write in all capital letters. First line: ADDRESSEE'S NAME. Second line:1234 STREET NAME (and apartment number, if applicable). Third line: CITY, STATE (two-letter abbreviation is enough) ZIP CODE (9 or 11 digits, if known). If the item is going to another country, put that country's name in capital letters on the fourth line.

Yes, as long as you can apply a clearly visible mailing address and the package meets USPS size limits.

Ask the person at the counter. Most often, the person will tell you the way the post office wants it to be.

It's on the shipping receipt you got when you mailed the item. If you insured the item with USPS, the number will be on the sales receipt. If you mailed through USPS.com, it will be in your e-mail confirmation.

Yes, but it must follow the rules and regulations. The liquid cannot leak, must be in an appropriate container, and it cannot be flammable, combustible, or explosive.

No, the post office won't address your package for you. You don't need a label. Just write the addresses on the package.

Not unless you pay extra for that service.

That's really not a good idea. Shipping tape would be more practical, from the standpoint of both security and ease of handling.

Yes, as long as you indicate an appropriate mailing address.

It will be delivered to your mailbox or front door -- or, if that's not possible, a notice will be left in your mailbox to let you know the parcel is being held for pickup at the local post office.

Yes, you should be reimbursed, but that's between you and the company selling the product.

Yes, if you're sure you have the right amount of postage on it. You run the risk of having the parcel delivered with additional postage charged to the addressee.

Send the mailpiece COD (Collect On Delivery).

Both. Put the destination address near the middle of the front or top surface of the package. Put the return address near the upper-left corner of the front or top surface.

Yes, you can use that box. Don't worry too much about the symbols. The important thing is that the mailing address and the postage are clearly visible (and legible).

Yes. All that matters is that the mailing address is legible and that proper postage has been applied.

No.

Yes. Your shipping label is for informational purposes only and you'll still need the paid postage and USPS barcode. If you're not sure if it's already been paid for, take your package to your local post office and ask the workers there to check.

Paper wrappings aren't recommended by USPS since they can catch and tear off in the mail processing equipment.