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.
  • Question
    Will they pick it up?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Your carrier will pick up your item for delivery if you schedule a pick-up at USPS.com/pickup.
  • Question
    Can I use a cardboard box that has U-Haul logos all over it?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, as long as the mailing and return addresses are clearly visible.
  • Question
    Can I pay for it in cash?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • 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
    Top Answerer
    The Postal Service will not pack or wrap items for their customers.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Question
    Can I use scotch tape for the address label?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • Question
    Do I need ID to ship a package?
    Community Answer
    No, an ID is not required to ship a package.
  • Question
    Can I pay by credit card?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Question
    If I mail a package first class, do I get a tracking number?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Not unless you pay extra for that service.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Question
    Do I get reimbursed for returning a wrong-sized product?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you should be reimbursed, but that's between you and the company selling the product.
  • 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.
  • Question
    How do I have other party pay for shipping?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Send the mailpiece COD (Collect On Delivery).
  • 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.
  • Question
    Can I use a box that originally was an Amazon box? The smile logo and tape has lots of Amazon symbols. I think I could black out using a magic marker.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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).
  • Question
    Can I ship with another company's label on the box?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes. All that matters is that the mailing address is legible and that proper postage has been applied.
  • Question
    Does my package have to be dropped off at the post office the exact date I purchased the shipping label?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No.
  • Question
    If you print your own label do you still have to pay for the package to be shipped?
    Ali Garbacz
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I wrap the package in wrapping paper if I make sure it’s secure? Or does it need to be a plain brown box?
    Ali Garbacz
    Community Answer
    Paper wrappings aren't recommended by USPS since they can catch and tear off in the mail processing equipment.
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