On your Mark, get set, Ship!

It's that time of the year again... the holidays. First, you do
the shopping and then you do the shipping, particularly if you have a lot of
family that lives out of state. If you're planning on traveling by plane to
visit them, don't check your packages as baggage; instead, ship them well in
advance so they are waiting for you when you arrive.

It is undoubtedly a busy time. In November, UPS estimated that on its peak day, December 20, it
would deliver more than 21 million packages worldwide... the equivalent of
14,400 packages every minute. That number is predicted to be higher this year.
Your package doesn't have to get lost in the mayhem. Follow these steps to make
shipping your packages as easy as 1-2-3.

 1. Select the right box
Choose a box that is slightly larger than
the item you are sending, so that you will be able cushion the item with packing
material on all sides. Properly label the package and include a return address.
Also put your return address on the inside of the package. This is helpful if
the shipping label gets torn off or if the writing becomes unreadable. If you
are reusing a box, cover any previous labels or cross out any previous address
information with a heavy black marker.

 2. Pack the item
Pack the item with bubble wrap, peanuts, foam or
paper. Close and shake the box to check whether you have enough cushioning. Add
more packing materials if the items shift. Don't forget to include a shipping
label inside the box.

 3. Seal the box
Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced
packing tape or paper tape that is at least two inches wide. Avoid using masking
tape, cellophane tape, cord, string or twine. Tape the opening of the box and
reinforce all seams.

 4. Ship perishables correctly
If you want that cheese basket or fruitcake to arrive fresh, experts recommend shipping it on a Monday, Tuesday or
Wednesday, ideally via next-day delivery. If you send them on a Thursday or
Friday, make sure the foods can handle extremely hot or cold temperatures for up
to four days. This may require the use of frozen gel packs.

 5. Insure valuable gifts
Ship expensive jewelry and other
valuables via next-day delivery in a box no smaller than 7 by 4 by 2 inches.
Look into insuring the item through your insurance company, as most shipping
companies put limits on claim amounts. Don't attach anything to the outside of
the box that would reveal the item's value.

 6. Save your receipt and tracking number
Your item should arrive safe and sound, but if it doesn't, be sure you've kept your receipt and the
tracking number. This will be the only way to prove that you actually did ship
the item. It will also help your carrier locate the item if it was delivered to
the wrong address.

 7. Ship irregularly shaped items in the right packaging
Use mailing tubes for posters and artwork. They are inexpensive and come in a
variety of sizes to ensure that the poster will not be creased upon arrival at
its destination.

 8. Shop around
To get a sense of how much it will cost to send a
package somewhere, call these numbers and use the automated rate services: U.S.
Postal Service, (800) ASK-USPS (275-8777); FedEx, (800) GO-FEDEX (463-3339);
UPS, (800) PICK-UPS (742-5877); DHL, (800) CALL-DHL (225-5345). You'll need the
zip code of the recipient, the weight of the package and the gift's basic shape
(so you can choose, for example, whether to ship it in a box, envelope or tube). 
 
Note: Be sure and check with your carrier about any specific packing
requirements. Some carriers assess additional handling charges for:
 . Any article that is not fully encased in an outside shipping container. 
.  Any article that is encased in an outside shipping container made of metal or wood. 
 . Cans or pails that are not fully encased in a shipping container of corrugated cardboard. 
 . Irregularly shaped or oversized items.


  Happy shipping from Twist OP.