Mail holiday packages online

San Antonio Post Office hosts FREE online demonstrations

SAN ANTONIO — This holiday season, the San Antonio Post Office is presenting free online demonstrations on how to turn your computer into a Post Office.  “Why stand in line, when you can ship and buy online,” said San Antonio Postmaster Steven Hernandez.

“We invite the public to join us tomorrow and learn how to become shipping experts by attending one of our local events and seeing how easy it is to pay postage and print labels on line,” stated Hernandez. 

Free presentations will be held in our station lobbies between the hours of 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 2nd,  at: 

GMF
10410 Perrin Beitel Rd
SATX 78284

Cedar Elm
5837 De Zavala
SATX 78249

Heritage
702 Richland Hills
SATX 78245

No more waiting in line. No more valuable time away from the office or from decorating for the holidays. The Postal Service offers free, environmentally friendly Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes and envelopes and these supplies can be ordered at usps.com or picked up at any local unit.  “The best shipping value may be our Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes.  There is no calculating of postage or weighing is needed.  If it fits, it ships,” says Hernandez. 

With 19 billion cards, letters and packages expected to be delivered this holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service has some valuable tips to help get gifts to their destination swiftly and safely.  “Customers can save money on Priority and Express Mail prices when they mail online with Click-N-Ship,” adds Hernandez.  “The more you ship, the more you save.  And when a package is ready to be shipped, log on to usps.com/pickup to schedule free package pickup from home or office.  Skip the trip and do all of your shipping online.”

Helpful packaging tips include:

• Making sure packages are able to withstand processing without the contents or packaging breaking.
• Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or “foam peanuts” so they do not shift during transit.
• Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same box.
• Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately.
• Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items are shifting, add more cushioning.
• Mark packages "Fragile" in large print on the outside of the box when shipping materials that might be more likely to break.
• When re-using a box make sure previous labels and markings are covered before mailing.
• Mark "Perishable" on packages that contain food or other items that can spoil.
• Place an extra address label with the delivery and return address inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.
• Always use tape designed for sealing shipping boxes. Do not use string, cellophane and masking tape to seal packages.
• Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. and measure up to 130 inches in combined length and width.  Make sure the width is measured around the largest point of the package.

Guidelines for addressing envelopes and packages:

• Print complete address clearly.
• A complete address includes:
• the recipient’s name
• Post Office Box or street number
• street name
• suffix (Ave., St., etc.)
• directional (N, S, E, W)
• secondary address (apartment or suite number)
• city, state and 5-digit ZIP Code
• For example: 123 S. Main St. Apt 4, Washington, DC 20001
• Use the proper ZIP Code. ZIP Codes can be found at usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS.
• Print the delivery and return addresses on the same side of the envelope or package.
• Always use a return address. It tells the Postal Service where to return mail if it cannot be delivered.

The Postal Service recommends the following dates to ensure your gifts arrive on time:
Dec. 4   — Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 — Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 — Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 — Priority Mail
Dec. 23 — Express Mail

Due to security requirements, packages bearing postage stamps that weigh more than 13 ounces must be presented to a retail associate at the Post Office and cannot be dropped in blue collection boxes.

Find more holiday tips and information at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/holiday/hpr.htm.