How Do I Ship A Package Through USPS?

The United States Postal Services (USPS) is an independent entity of the US government that provides express, and standard mail services that allows you to tailor your delivery options to suit your needs. Whether you are looking to ship a package to your family across town, or an e-commerce business owner that wants to provide quick and efficient delivery to your customers locally and internationally, this is how you can do both through USPS. Let us know ‘How do I ship a package through USPS?’.

How Do I Ship A Package Through USPS?

To ship a package through USPS, you will need to know all details relating to your package, this includes but is not limited to weight, size, delivery period, packaging instructions, etc. This article details the seven steps you will need to know in order to ship domestically and internationally. 

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How to Ship a Package Domestically?  

Knowing how to prepare your package for shipping will save you both time and money. These are the seven steps detailed by the USPS that you need to know to ship a package domestically. 

1. Choose your box

Of course, you want to choose a nice fancy gift box with a neat bow at the top for your cousin Sally’s 25th birthday gift, but are you sure it will make it in one piece?. Carefully consider der the contents of your box, you want to make sure that you choose a box that will fit what you are sending. 

TIP: Sticking to standardized sizes will help you avoid additional charges 

2. Package your item(s) in the box

In order to protect the contents of your box, package the contents in a secure way, for example, if you are shipping something fragile, you can use bubble wrap or foam to ensure your package makes it safely to its destination. Include relevant stickers on the box to indicate that. Your package needs to be taped and sealed correctly so the contents stay secured. 

3. Address your package 

In this step, you can opt for a DIY label (a permanent marker would work best for visibility), or you can log in to the USPS website and enter your details there to get a free shipping label you can print for yourself. Make sure that in both cases you enter the right address and Zip code so that your package ends up in the right hands. 

4. Choose a suitable mail service 

To select the best way to ship your package, you will have to know the weight, size, and delivery period. You can take your package to the postal office to have it weighed and measured, thereafter you can then select a mailing service based on your unique requirements and specifications. 

TIP: Learn how to measure the package yourself to avoid additional charges. 

5. Calculate and apply postage 

In order to calculate your shipping costs, you can enter your package information in the USPS postage calculator to get the postage prices for their different services. It’s important to note that pricing will vary depending on several factors. Ensure that you apply the postage stamp relevant to your package destination on a clear area of your box, this should help your package arrive on time. 

6. Ship your package 

There are different ways to do this depending on the size of your package and location. You have the option to have your package collected for free, for smaller packages you can opt to drop it off in a blue collection box, you can visit your nearest post office, or leave your package with an approved postal provider. 

7. Track your package 

Now it’s time to sit back and watch your package make its way to the designated location. However, you may have to pay a little bit more in order to receive tracking updates depending on the shipping service you choose.

How to Ship a Package Internationally?

If you’re looking to ship outside of the US, you will be glad to know that USPS provides international mailing and shipping services. However, it is important to note that due to the impact of COVID-19 on postal services, there are several countries the USPS can no longer service internationally. To see which countries are affected by the temporary service and delivery suspensions, visit the USPS website (link included below). 

If the country you are sending to is unaffected by these restrictions then follow these steps to ship a package internationally. 

1. Gather Information

  • Find out the rules and regulations for the country you’re sending to. 
  • The weight and size regulations/limits. 
  • The different shipping services you can use. 

2. Find a suitable international shipping service 

  • Choose from 6 different USPS international shipping services. 

3. Package your item(s) in the box

  • Similarly to domestic shipping, you need to ensure that proper measures are taken in choosing the right box and packaging method. 

4. Address the package 

  • Write the address in the recommended format according to the country to which you are shipping. 
  • Ensure the address and postage fit on the same side. 

5. Calculate and apply postage 

  • Use the USPS international postage calculator to calculate the amount for your postage. 
  • You can make use of the Click-N-Ship service to pay and print international postage. 

6. Make the custom forms and labels 

  • You can print your form at home using the online tool or at the post office. 
  • Click-N-Ship service will automatically generate a customs form for you. 

7. Ship your international package 

  • Once you’ve followed all the above steps, you can ship your package using one of the mailing services provided by USPS, depending on its size and location. 
  • You can track your package when it’s been shipped to ensure it arrives at the intended location. 

Now that you know how the USPS mailing and shipping services work, you can easily ship to anywhere in the world in a cost-effective way. Hopefully, this article answers most of your USPS need to know questions, to learn more about USPS visit their website on:  https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm 

How Do I Ship A Package Through USPS?

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