Shipping No-no's

 
Effective shipping entails proper packing of items to ensure that they arrive on time and free from any damages.  Following proper precautions when packing items will eliminate the chances of committing costly mistakes and give you peace of mind.  Here are some things that you should avoid at all costs when packing items for shipping:

Heavily marked boxes. You can reuse shipping boxes but make sure to remove as much previous labels and markings as possible. Old labels can be cause for confusion for the shipping personnel and cause delays.

Old and weak shipping boxes. Make sure to reuse only boxes that are still sturdy and can withstand the rigors of shipping. If a previously used box cannot carry the item on its own, it has lost its integrity and is not ideal for shipping even if a lot of packaging tape is used.

Media Mail - A cost effective option in sending educational materials

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers Media Mail shipping, a  cost-effective way to send educational materials, such as books, video tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc. Through this option, items can be shipped with discounted postage rate and can be delivered within 2 to 10 days.

Using Media Mail is easy, but there are rules and regulations that must be observed when using this service:
There are restrictions on the type of media that can be sent via Media Mail. Video games, computer drives, or digital drives of any kind are not allowed to be shipped through this option. Promotional materials or advertisements are also not allowed inside a Media Mail package. Inserting a birthday card in the package can cause your parcel to be sent back because the card isn't an approved item by the USPS.

Tips on cutting shipping costs

Unless shipping perishable items, live animals or other stuff that needs to be delivered ASAP, you can save a lot of dollars by avoiding options such as 2-day and next day shipping as these always cost more. If a package needs to arrive before a specific date, ship it in advance so you don't have to pay that extra rate. A good option is sending a package via Priority Mail through USPS. It's not as expensive as next day shipping but packages can arrive within 2 to 3 days depending on how far the destination.

Save on postage costs by printing them online. The USPS website allows you to print postage and labels online at a discounted price. The discount may not be that much but when you are shipping a lot of stuff, every savings count!

How to Calculate Shipping Costs

Shipping items can be a costly venture especially if you ship on a regular basis. You want to ship an item the best way but the cheapest way as well.  Thus, it is ideal to have an idea on how much it will to cost send out items. To calculate the cost of shipping, you must know the weight and value of the item as well as the distance the item will travel and how fast you want it delivered. Here's how to calculate for shipping costs.

Most reputable shipping companies have a website which offers shipping rate calculators.  All you have to do is provide the correct information about  the item you are shipping and it will give you an estimate of your shipping cost.

Shipping live animals via UPS

UPS is one of the leading shipping companies worldwide.  And just like other shipping companies, it has very strict rules on shipping live animals.  Below are some UPS regulations on shipping live animals.

Not all animals are allowed to be shipped via UPS.  Here is a list of Accepted/Prohibited Live Animals:

Accepted Live Animals
This is a comprehensive list of live animals accepted by UPS for transportation.  UPS prohibits from shipping any animal not listed here, and all other live animals will not be accepted for transportation. The following live animals are accepted for transportation unless poisonous, venomous, and/or a Threatened or Endangered Species.

Tips for Shipping those Large, Bulky and Fragile Items

Whether you are shipping delicate crystal figurines or a massive four-poster bed, the key to successful shipping are careful packing and choosing the right carrier. So here are some tips to guide you on your shipping endeavors.

Don't just dump your items in a box and expect that they will arrive in perfect condition.  Before packing them in a box, protect it from scratching or breaking by wrapping it in plastic, bubble wrap, furniture wrap or tissue. To protect artwork, use non acidic paper.

10 things to remember when shipping food items

1.  Use your common sense. Never mail highly-perishable food items such as soft cheeses or meats without packing them with ice packs or dry ice. Processed meats such as sausages and hard aged cheeses will be fine even without ice packs. Firm baked goods are best, such as cookies, candies, flavored nuts, fudge, breads, unfrosted cakes, and muffins, chutneys, and preserves.

2.  Make sure  to tightly seal bottled and canned items and use thick containers that won't break easily.

3.  If shipping a combination of moist and dry bakes goods, wrap them separately to preserve their textures.

How to save on shipping costs

Shipping items can get exorbitant. Here are a few tips you can consider to be able to save on shipping costs and ensure that your goods arrive safely and undamaged:

The dimensions and weight of a package should be your primary consideration when choosing a shipping method for your items. Consider buying a shipping scale instead of using a regular scale like bathroom scales since they are not accurate for weighing packages. Use the lightest packing material for your packages, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are the best choice.

Things You Should Know When Shipping With a Private Parcel Service

Using a private parcel service is a quick, easy and hassle-free way to send out items. However, most of these businesses will try to wheedle every last penny out of you! Below is a list of things you should take into consideration when shipping via a private parcel service.