To send a package, the general steps are:
- Prepare your package by packing the items securely in a sturdy box or padded envelope with cushioning to protect the contents.
- Write the full recipient's address clearly on the package, along with your return address.
- Weigh and measure the package to determine postage cost. You can use a postal scale or have it weighed at a post office.
- Purchase postage—a shipping label or stamps—either online or at the post office.
- Attach the postage and any required customs forms if sending internationally.
- Drop off the package at the post office, a shipping carrier location, or schedule a pickup if the service allows.
For international shipments, you need to fill out detailed customs forms stating the contents and value of the package. Some countries have restrictions on what can be sent. Also, print the addresses neatly in capital letters and place all labels on one side of the package. The easiest modern method is to pay for postage online, print the shipping label at home, attach it to the package, and then drop it off or schedule a carrier pickup. Reusing boxes is allowed but remove or cover old labels or barcodes. Domestic shipping (inside the U.S.) and international shipping have some differences, especially regarding customs and prohibited items. These guidelines apply broadly to postal services like USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other common carriers, but specific details may vary slightly for each service. This is a concise guide to sending a package. If needed, more detailed instructions or carrier-specific rules can be provided.
