How to Mail a Priority Mail Package from Home

Do you have a Priority Mail package or envelope but don't want to spend time waiting in line at the Post Office? Read on to find out how you can send your Priority Mail from home for less than at the Post Office AND get free delivery confirmation!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer/Printer
• Credit Card
• Packaged Item

1. 
    

   Sign up for an account at the United States Post Office (USPS), www.usps.com. Or click link below to be taken directly to the sign up area of the site.

2. Go to the www.usps.com home site and click the third link at the top "Print a Shipping Label".

3. The United States is autofilled in under "Select a Destination". Click the Sign In tab and at the Sign In page, log in with the user name and password you selected in Step 1.

4. After you have signed in you will be directed to the Print a Shipping Label page. Enter your return address and the address you are shipping the package/envelope to in the fields provided.

5. 
    

   Enter your package information; weight, size and shipping date. Click continue.

6. Select the type of Priority Mail service you want. Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Flat Rate Box and Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box require boxes/envelopes from USPS. Delivery confirmation is free when you order Priority shipping online. You can also add other services. Click continue.

7. Add your billing information. Click continue.

8. Print Label on regular computer paper or if you have it sticky backed paper. If the label prints correctly click yes if not return the label to cart and reprint.

9. Remove label from printer. Cut out the label. Use clear mailing tape to affix to package.

10. 
     

    Put in your mailbox or hand to your postman. It will arrive at it's destination in 2-3 business days and you didn't have to spend time waiting in line at the Post Office.

Tips & Warnings

• You save money printing your own shipping. It's $4.75 to priority mail a priority mail envelope yourself, $4.80 at the Post Office. Plus you get free delivery confirmation when you do it yourself.
• Free priority mail envelopes and boxes are available through USPS. These are shipped free directly to you. You can order them at the USPS website.
• Even if the priority package is over 13 ounces, if you have registered with the USPS site, you are "known" to them and you are allowed to put packages in your mail box for pick up.
• If you want to mail standard mail packages over 13oz from home consider using a site like stamps.com. Stamps.com makes postage easy and saves you time standing in line at the Post Office.
• If you cannot ship the package from your home on the shipping date (ie the postman has been through the area) select the day that you can. Priority mail must be shipped on the day you select for tracking purposes.
• Do not use Priority mail packaging for mailing any other type of packages except priority.

Resources

• USPS Account Sign Up

[Bfastattiffanys]

on 10/13/2008 This will be very helpful for eBaying. 5*'s

[Susanh]

on 9/20/2008 I've used this service and it is fantastic. Great job outlining the steps!