How to Pack and Ship a Package via USPS

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Everything you need to know about USPS’ various shipping services

Co-authored by Ali Garbacz, B.A.

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Choosing a Shipping Method

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Packaging & Sending Your Shipment

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Sending a package through the post office is always a reliable option. Whether you’re sending it across town or across the country, the post office will make sure it arrives safely at its destination. There are many types of services available to get your package mailed out, coming in at all different price points and with various features. Follow along as we take you through everything you need to know to ship a package out through your local USPS office.

Things You Should Know

Choose between Retail Ground, Priority Mail, Express Mail, and Media Mail based on the type of package you’ll be sending and how soon you need it to arrive.
Pack your shipment in a box or envelope and use packaging tape to seal it shut. Write the address clearly on the outside of the package.
Bring the package to the post office to weigh it and apply the correct postage and shipping label.
Add on any extra services you may need, such as a tracking number or insurance, before leaving your package with a postal worker to be sent off.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing a Shipping Method

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1
Use Retail Ground for the most affordable shipping option. Formerly known as Standard Post, Retail Ground is the cheapest way to ship a package via USPS. But it’s also the slowest, with a delivery rate between 2-8 business days. If time isn’t a huge concern for your shipment, then Retail Ground is a great option.
- Retail Ground can sometimes take up to 14 business days to deliver your package.
- The maximum weight for sending packages via Retail Ground is 70 pounds (32 kg).
- Shipping prices for Retail Ground are calculated based on the weight of your package and the location where it’s being sent.
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Use Priority Mail to pay a flat rate regardless of the weight of the package. Priority Mail has an expected delivery time of 1-3 days and includes free tracking. This shipping option offers “flat rate” boxes. If your package fits inside the standard box offered by USPS, you’ll pay a flat rate regardless of your package’s weight. This takes a lot of the hassle out of weighing your package and making sure you include enough postage.^{[1]
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- Priority Mail allows you to send packages weighing up to 70 pounds (32 kg).
- All of the boxes and envelopes for Priority Mail are free. Either have them shipped to your home or office, or pick up what you need from the post office.
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box Options

Flat Rate Envelope: A cardboard envelope that's 12.5 in (32 cm) by 9.5 in (24 cm).

Padded Flat Rate Envelope: A waterproof, padded envelope that's 12.5 in (32 cm) by 9.5 in (24 cm).

Small Flat Rate Box: A small, cardboard box measuring 8 in (20 cm) x 5 in (13 cm) x 1.75 in (4.4 cm).

Medium Flat Rate Boxes: A box with the dimensions 11.25 in (28.6 cm) x 8.75 in (22.2 cm) x 6 in (15 cm) OR 14 in (36 cm) x 12 in (30 cm) x 3.5 in (8.9 cm).

Large Flat Rate Box: The largest flat rate box, which measures 12.25 in (31.1 cm) x 12.25 in (31.1 cm) x 6 in (15 cm).

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Use Express Mail for the fastest delivery time. The Priority Mail Express option is the most expensive shipping option, but it’s also the fastest and has a money-back guarantee. It’s the USPS version of next-day delivery, taking 1-2 business days to arrive. It also offers flat-rate boxes. You can ship anything, so long as it fits in the box and weighs less than 70 pounds (32 kg).^{[2]
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- If you don’t use the flat-rate boxes, the shipping price is calculated based on your package’s weight and the location where it’s being sent.
- Express Mail also provides insurance coverage for up to $100, a signature confirmation of delivery, and tracking information, all for an additional cost.
- Note that Priority Mail Express often has a separate pick-up and drop-off time in order to arrive at its destination on time. Contact your post office by phone or go online to confirm the drop-off time.
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Use First-Class Mail to ship packages that weigh less than 13 ounces (370 g). The First-Class Mail shipping service is an affordable way to send a lightweight package quickly. Packages are delivered within 1-3 business days, and USPS offers insurance for loss or damages of up to $5,000 for merchandise. You can also add additional services like delivery confirmation for an extra cost, which allows you to track your package as it travels to its destination.^{[3]
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- Use padded envelopes to send First-Class Mail for a lightweight yet durable option.
- To send a lightweight package via First-Class Mail, the envelope must not exceed 15 inches (38 cm) by 12 inches (30 cm), or your package will be charged at the next highest price or mailing category.
- Your package must be at least ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) thick. If your package doesn’t fit the dimensions, USPS may return it or automatically upgrade the shipping and charge you a higher price.^{[4]
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Send books, CDs, and other media by choosing Media Mail. The USPS Media Mail service is a cost-effective way to send media like sound and video recordings on a disk, manuscripts, sheet music, printed educational charts, medical binders, and computer-readable media safely across the country.^{[5]
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- Video games and computer hard drives do not qualify for Media Mail prices.
- Media Mail has a maximum weight of 70 pounds (32 kg).
- Ask a postal worker if your items qualify as Media Mail before you package them up and go to ship.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Packaging & Sending Your Shipment

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1
Pack your shipment into a box or envelope and seal it shut. Fit your item(s) into a box or envelope and add cushioning materials like bubble wrap, newspaper, or packing peanuts if necessary. Seal the envelope or tape the box shut with clear or brown packaging tape so that it closes flat on all sides. Reinforce the flaps on the top and bottom with tape so that the box doesn’t open while in transit.^{[6]
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- Do not use cord, string, twine, masking tape, duct tape, or cellophane tape to seal your box.^{[7]
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- For Retail Ground and First Class Mail, you can use any sturdy cardboard box. You don’t have to use the USPS Priority Mail box.
- Use a box that will hold your shipment but still leaves a little bit of room for you to add any padding material.
- If your box has other stickers or logos other than the USPS logo for Priority Mail boxes, cross them out with a marker or cover them with your postage label.
- Make sure your box does not have anything loose hanging from it like twine, string, or tape because it can get caught in the sorting equipment.
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Address the package clearly. Use label stickers or write the address directly onto the package. Include a return address in case your package gets shipped back to you. Use ink that doesn’t smear so the address remains legible as it travels to its destination.^{[8]
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- Use a permanent marker if you’re writing the address directly on the package.
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Bring your package to the post office to measure and weigh it. Postage fees are calculated based on the weight and dimensions of your package. Take your packed envelope or box to the post office, and a postal worker at the retail counter will weigh and measure the package to determine how much postage it requires. They will also be able to inspect the package to confirm that it’s been prepared correctly.^{[9]
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- Double-check the final price once they’ve finished weighing and measuring your package. It may come out higher than expected depending on your shipping method and whether or not you’ve exceeded the weight limit.
- If you’re still deciding between shipping methods, ask a postal worker to run you through the costs of multiple methods so you can compare.
Tip: For flat rate Priority and Priority Express Mail, you have the option to pay for postage online and attach it to your package at home. Go to usps.com/business/postage-options.htm to pay for postage and print the labels to attach them to your package.
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Apply the correct postage to your package. After your package has been weighed and measured, purchase the necessary postage to have it shipped. Apply the postage to the package in a clearly visible location. The postage label will include a barcode that will be scanned as it’s processed during its journey to be delivered, so make sure the label is easy to find and scan.^{[10]
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- Pay for and print shipping labels at home using USPS’ Click-N-Ship service.^{[11]
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- If you printed your own postage on regular paper, use clear packaging tape to adhere it to the package. Cover the entire paper so it doesn’t get too wet or damaged.
- The postal worker at the post office will often apply the postage to your package for you if you purchased it from them.
- Postage always goes in the top-right corner of an envelope, but this can vary for packages.
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Give your package to the postal worker at the retail desk. The postal worker behind the counter can confirm that the package has been properly prepared and the correct postage has been applied. They’ll then scan the package and process it for delivery. They can also provide you with a receipt as a form of confirmation for the transaction.^{[12]
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- USPS also offers a pick-up service. Simple fill out a request form at www.usps.com/pickup, and your letter carrier will pick it up during their regular schedule. This service is free of charge, regardless of how many packages you’re sending.
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Ask for a tracking number if needed. Tracking information allows you to follow the package in transit. This is a great feature if you need to check the status of a package or need to verify that it was delivered. This will cost you extra if you’re using First-Class Mail for letters, postcards, and large envelopes, or Retail Ground. For Priority Mail, Priority Express, and First-Class Mail packages, tracking is included.^{[13]
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- You can also get add signature confiramtion if you want to verify that the package was received by the right person.

Join the Discussion...

What is the cheapest way to ship a package?

21

WikiBandicootDancer472

I'm regularly selling things online and I feel like the price to send a package has just gone up and up recently. These higher prices have really... Read More

WikiFawnSlinger927

Shipping costs for your package are really going to depend on how heavy it is and how big the box is, and larger, heavier boxes are going to be c... Read More

WikiOcelotDiver665

If you're shipping a lot of heavy books or media items, USPS offers Media Mail, which is a cheap way to ship things up to 70lbs (31.8kg).... Read More

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Question

Do I have to use a box?

Donagan

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

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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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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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Tips

For packages being sent internationally, USPS offers Global Express Guaranteed (1-3 business days), Priority Mail Express International (3-5 business days), Priority Mail International (6-10 business days), and First-Class Package International Service (varies by destination).^{[14]
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