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.

Cheap and creative shipping solutions

Shipping rates can get a little exorbitant! For cheapskates such as my self, I'd do everything to cut on my shipping costs.  Here are some practical and creative tips on how to save a few dollars on your shipping expenses.

Use balloons as a filler. Just inflate them and use them as packing air packets!

Protect your items from dirt, dust and moisture by wrapping them in kitchen wrap! They also keep the packing peanuts away from your items.
Use colored tape when taping bubble wrap.  Clear tape is difficult to see and sometimes can cause damage when unwrapping. If you don't have colored tape, draw a line across the tape with a permanent marker to indicate where to cut to help the recipient.

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.