Plan Now for Shipping Holiday Packages

Editor’s Note: Sherri Williams is retired from the Oaklandon Post Office and offers some useful tips for sending holiday packages.

It’s just six weeks until Christmas — time to start thinking about how and when to mail those presents to family and friends.  If you are planning to mail anything to military personnel or out of the country, the time is even shorter.

As a general rule, foreign packages need to be sent in November to assure timely delivery.  Mail going sea/surface needs to be mailed no later than November 10th.  Airmail packages should be mailed no later than December 6th. Airmail cards and letters should be sent by December 10th. Packages mailed after these dates may, indeed, arrive, but it’s risky.  All it takes is a major storm at a large airport to shut everything down.

Many people will be mailing to military addresses again this season. One of the easiest ways to do so is to use the postal services “flat rate” military specific priority boxes.   These boxes ship to any APO/FPO address for $10.95 regardless of weight.  This is a $2 discount off the domestic rate.

When mailing out of the country, even to military addresses, a customs form must be attached to any item weighing more than 16 ounces. I know it seems annoying, but, yes, it has to have a complete list of items included in the package.  If a customs form isn’t included, the package will be, 1) Returned to sender for needed paperwork; or 2) Held, opened and inspected by the receiving customs department. This can sometimes delay the package by weeks.

If you mail candy, liquids, pens, markers or anything that could leak, it’s always a great idea to package these in plastic bags. That way if there is a leak, it doesn’t ruin other items in the box. Try to avoid mailing anything packaged in glass, especially when mailing overseas. If you must mail a glass item, double boxing is a safer way to ship.  If possible, use the original box and packaging it came in. Then put that box inside a larger box. It’s always good to mark it “fragile,” but it’s not a guarantee that it won’t be thrown around!

Packaging a box to mail isn’t terribly difficult if one follows some basic rules. First, make sure the box is suitable for use. Never use a box that once contained anything hazardous or flammable. Boxes that once contained household cleaners are nice and sturdy, but they can’t go through the mail because of the writing on them. The postal service has really cracked down on this in the last few years. So, no bleach, detergent, cleaners, lubricants or fake fireplace log boxes.

The boxes should be packed so there is little or no movement of the items. The less things can move around, the less chance for damage. Packing materials can be as simple as old newspaper or packing peanuts. Putting “this end up” does very little good, so be sure to pack with the idea that it could end up in any direction. Once again, anything that might leak or melt (candy) should be in a plastic baggie.

Tape has always been a major issue at the post office window. I realize to the non-postal worker, it seems stupid to be so picky; but tape is the first line of defense for your package. If you are mailing priority or express, tape will be provided by the post office; otherwise you’ll need to provide your own tape. Never, EVER, use masking tape on a package.  This tape is design to come off when damp.  That’s why it’s used for painting.  Clear packing tape is available at most stores.  It works quite well.

Some people still recall when packages needed twine or string around them. This was before machines were used to sort mail. Now the string can get caught in the belts and gears of the machines. String can no longer be accepted on packages.

I used to get questions about the usefulness of insurance on mailings. All mail is handled the same whether it has insurance or not. However, if your package is lost or damaged, insurance will cover the cost of the loss, provided, 1) You can prove the value of the item; 2) Item was properly packaged.  Many times we just need to know it arrived, so delivery confirmation is a cheaper, easier way to accomplish that. You can check online or by phone to see what day and time it was delivered to the addressee.

Mailing cash is never encouraged. A check or money order is much safer. People mailing gift cards or money orders overseas may want to register their letters. This is the safest way to send envelopes. It will assure someone on the receiving end signs for the item. It is available with or without a return receipt.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday experience this year. Although I am retired, I am willing to answer any questions you may have on mailing.  Just send me an email at sherri@atGeist.com.  I’ll try and help find a solution.