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

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Question

Do I have to use a box?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

Will they pick it up?

Donagan

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

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Question

Can I use a cardboard box that has U-Haul logos all over it?

Donagan

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

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Question

Can I pay for it in cash?

Donagan

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Yes.

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Question

Can I go to my local post office and get my parcel packed and wrapped, or do i have to do it myself?

Donagan

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

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Question

Do I have to put a return address?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

Should the shipping label be on the side or top of box?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

Can I use scotch tape for the address label?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes.

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Question

Do I need ID to ship a package?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I pay by credit card?

Donagan

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Yes.

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Question

Do I have to include any more details except for the return address and the address I want to ship to?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

If writing the label manually, how do I do it in proper form?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

Can I use a box that I bought from Home Depot, for example?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

How do I find the acceptable ways of wrapping a package for the post office?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I ship a liquid?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Where can I get the tracking number?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

If I don't have a printer, can I take the package to my local post officials and have an employee print a label out for me?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

If I mail a package first class, do I get a tracking number?

Donagan

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Not unless you pay extra for that service.

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Question

Can I put rubber bands around a box that I want to ship?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

Can I send a package within a bubble wrap envelope from Walmart through USPS?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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

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Question

How do I receive my package?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

Do I get reimbursed for returning a wrong-sized product?

Donagan

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

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Question

Could I just put the package in my mailbox with the red flag up and the mailman just pick it up?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

How do I have other party pay for shipping?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Send the mailpiece COD (Collect On Delivery).

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Question

Do I write the address of the person I'm shipping the package to, on the box, or mine?

Donagan

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

Do I need to put a stamp on the package if I have a label?

Donagan

Top Answerer

If your label is from a postage meter, you don't need stamps. If it's just an address label, you will need to supply postage.

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Question

Can I put the destination address on the box myself and still have it sent out?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Will they ask for my phone number when I send a package?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Will a post office employee assist with packaging?

Donagan

Top Answerer

No, post office employees typically do not help with packaging.

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Question

Can I ship a box that is 30" x 30" x 16" with USPS?

Donagan

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A box of that size is likely too large for USPS shipping.

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