Packing Tips

Tips for When You Ship

Stumped about shipping? FedEx suggests that you call its "packaging lab" at (800) 633-7019 and consult with a "packaging engineer."

United Parcel Service has different advice: its "transit calculator" ( www.ups.com), which lets you figure out how long it will take something to get where it's going using one method of delivery versus another. UPS' busiest shipping day, in case you're curious, is Dec. 19. The company expects to move 22 million packages that day, 47% more than usual. For more info, visit ups.com/holiday.

The U.S. Postal Service offers tips too, at www.usps.comor (800) ASKUSPS (275-8777).

A few more suggestions:

* Use sturdy new boxes with plenty of padding. If a box is used, remove old labels.

* Use packing tape, not masking or duct tape, and don't wrap the outer box with string that can get caught in automated processing equipment.

* Put the address on the outside and inside of the package. The one on the outside should be placed on one spot, not all over the box.

To get it there in time, FedEx suggests that, when using its ground transportation, you ship by Dec. 17. Or by Dec. 22 with FedEx Express. The deadline for shipping out of Los Angeles International Airport (at 11221 S. Hindry Ave.) is 6 p.m. Dec. 22.

UPS says you should generally ship by Dec. 21 to get something to its destination on Dec. 24.

The U.S. Postal Service wants you to mail by Dec. 9 if you're using parcel post. Generally, first class takes three days, priority mail, two days; express mail is delivered overnight. That means it's possible to wait until Christmas Eve -- so long as the weather cooperates.

Sometimes a carrier in a Santa suit drops off packages Dec. 25, spokesman Larry Dozier says. "You should see the looks on children's faces when they see that."

Present and accounted for
Pack with care and follow address guidelines when shipping Christmas presents to troops overseas

Even when her oldest son, Bryan Kotsch, was attending George Mason University in Virginia, he always made the trip home to West Deptford for the annual Christmas Day dinner.

But this year, spending Christmas at home will have to remain just a holiday wish for Nancy Chard Jones and her 26-year-old son, an Army specialist who is stationed thousands of miles away in Tikrit, Iraq. He isn't due to come home until early 2009.

"I will miss him," said Jones, 52, of the Blue Star Mothers of Southern New Jersey chapter. "But I'm very proud of him and I pray for his safety and the safety of all who are deployed."

She plans to send holiday gifts several times during the season so her son, who fixes Chinook helicopters for the military, knows his family is thinking of him.

Her son said he wants to be entertained when he's not working, so he'll be getting, among other things, movies on DVD, music on CD, video games and playing cards, Jones said.

The last shipment must be sent by Dec. 4 if it's to arrive on time, by Christmas Day.

In just two months since her son was sent overseas, she already has become familiar with shipping protocols, and the best strategies to get goods into her son's hands, either with priority mail or flat-rate packages through the United States Postal Service.

Mailing a gift to your loved one serving overseas in the military doesn't have to be the hassle you might imagine it to be.

If you keep these easy-to-follow guidelines in mind, your piece of mail should arrive at its destination in good shape and on time.

Keep in mind that mail protocols generally include a ban on alcoholic beverages and pornographic materials.

Commercial package delivery companies such as UPS, FedEx and DHL only can deliver to military bases in the United States when an exact street address has been provided. Those companies do not deliver to soldiers deployed in theaters of war.

Also, be aware of certain restrictions or mailing rates to an APO/FPO or Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office address. There are several ways you can do this.

Visit the RateCalculator at www.usps.com. You can also call (800) ASK-USPS, consult your local post office or phone the Military Postal Service Agency at (800) 810-6098 or visit hqdainet .army.mil/mpsa.

To make sure your package arrives in good shape or working order, consider the following:

Temperatures of 100 degrees and over are typical in the desert.

A strong box with room for cushioning is needed. When using recycled boxes, cover all previous labels and markings with permanent black marker or adhesive labels.

Use foam or bubble wrap to cushion contents and keep items from shifting. The United States Postal Service recommends fragile items "be double boxed, with cushioning inside and between the boxes to absorb shock."

Batteries should be packed separately because battery-powered items sometimes will get turned on during shipment.

Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2-inch-wide packaging tape (clear or brown), reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do not use cord, string or twine.

Improperly wrapped packages can fall apart during shipment, so you should include a card inside, listing the addresses of the sender and recipient, plus a description of the contents, which can help in collecting the items.