With the USPS, you've got two main options: They have flat-rate boxes that cost a set amount to ship no matter what you put in them. If your stuff fits, that's an easy way to do it. They give those boxes to you at the post office. You can also have them mailed to you ahead of time, but if you wanna just get the thing in the mail, simply going to the post office and doing it is fastest. Pack it in whatever box you want (smaller is better for shipping cost), and bring it packed to the USPS and tell them you'd like to ship it. Reused boxes are fine. If the box has labels, X them out or rip them off... or at least write over the barcodes so it can't be accidentally scanned somehow. They'll hand-hold you through the process, but it's really just filling out the address label and deciding what kind of shipping you want (if you just wanna get it there in a reasonable amount of time without spending a buttload, ask for priority mail). The other services work about the same way. If you're gonna pack it at the post office, save some $$$ and bring a newspaper or just some printer paper to crumple up as packing material. It's biodegradable and they'll charge you a pretty penny if you want to buy packing material at the post office. If I have the foresight, I grab a flat-rate box from them ahead of time, pack it and address it at home, and bring the box ready-to-go to the post office. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
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USPS
usps.com › ship › packages.htm
How to Prepare & Send a Package | USPS
Putting it in your mailbox for carrier pickup. Dropping it in a blue collection box or Post Office lobby drop-off box. Requesting a free pickup. If your package uses stamps and is more than one-half inch thick or weighs more than 10 oz, you ...
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USPS
usps.com › ship
Send Mail & Packages | USPS
Search for Post Offices and other locations to buy stamps, ship packages, apply for passports, and more. Determine how much postage or how many stamps you need for your letter or package based on size, weight, and destination. Find a ZIP Code™ by street address or city and state to make sure your mail arrives at the ...
Discussions

How do I mail a package at the post office?
Honestly just ask the postman who probably works there. Expect some shipping fees. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/NoStupidQuestions
7
2
August 4, 2023
What do I need to do exactly to send a package in the post
What exactly do I need to do to send a package at the post office? Do I just need to put an address and a return address and pay? Or is there more to it? Answered by JustAnswer Author in 14 hours 19 years ago ... There are a few things to consider when mailing a package. More on justanswer.com
🌐 justanswer.com
1
June 23, 2006
How can I ship something for someone to pick up at the post
How can I ship something for someone to pick up at the post office (they don't have a residence. They are staying in a More on justanswer.com
🌐 justanswer.com
1
December 2, 2017
Can you have a package mailed to a local post office instead of your home address?
Yes, you buy a PO box. If you don't want to buy a PO box, go into the office and talk to the clerk about how to handle it for a one time event. Local police department facebook page might also have the name of a business who is accepting parcels for local residents. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/USPS
11
1
August 19, 2021
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/nostupidquestions › how do i send a package in the mail?
r/NoStupidQuestions on Reddit: How do I send a package in the mail?
April 28, 2021 -

Hi there. I'm a fully grown adult, but I've never actually sent a package to someone. I'd love to send my friend in another state a care package of local foods she liked when visiting me in my state a few years ago. But how do I do that? Do I need to have a specific type of box? Do I take it to the post office to be delivered? Is that where I get the box??

I literally just have no idea how you go about this at all from even the most basic step. I've been wanting to send my friend a package for two years now and I haven't been able to.

Can you please help me? I've never even returned a package to like, Amazon, let alone sent one for personal reasons. :(

Top answer
1 of 5
1
With the USPS, you've got two main options: They have flat-rate boxes that cost a set amount to ship no matter what you put in them. If your stuff fits, that's an easy way to do it. They give those boxes to you at the post office. You can also have them mailed to you ahead of time, but if you wanna just get the thing in the mail, simply going to the post office and doing it is fastest. Pack it in whatever box you want (smaller is better for shipping cost), and bring it packed to the USPS and tell them you'd like to ship it. Reused boxes are fine. If the box has labels, X them out or rip them off... or at least write over the barcodes so it can't be accidentally scanned somehow. They'll hand-hold you through the process, but it's really just filling out the address label and deciding what kind of shipping you want (if you just wanna get it there in a reasonable amount of time without spending a buttload, ask for priority mail). The other services work about the same way. If you're gonna pack it at the post office, save some $$$ and bring a newspaper or just some printer paper to crumple up as packing material. It's biodegradable and they'll charge you a pretty penny if you want to buy packing material at the post office. If I have the foresight, I grab a flat-rate box from them ahead of time, pack it and address it at home, and bring the box ready-to-go to the post office.
2 of 5
1
Any box will do, just take any other labels off it. Then write To: and their info, and From: and your info either on a label or right on the box. Then you take it to the post office and they weight it and charge you.
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › education and communications › postal system › how to ship a package at the post office: a complete guide
How to Ship a Package at the Post Office: A Complete Guide
Shipping and logistics experts Fahim and Seema Mojawalla & wikiHow staff explain how to send packages in the mailSending a package through the post office is always a reliable option. Whether you're sending it across town or across the...
Published   February 19, 2026
Views   19K
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USPS
usps.com › ship › letters.htm
USPS shows you how to send a letter or postcard in the U.S., from choosing an envelope, writing the address, buying and applying stamps, and finding a drop-off location.
June 8, 2021 - USPS shows you how to send a letter or postcard in the U.S., from choosing an envelope, writing the address, buying and applying stamps, and finding a drop-off location.
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CoolParcel
coolparcel.com › home › how do you send a package through usps?
how do you send a package through usps? - Find the answer here
July 14, 2024 - You can send a package through USPS by visiting a local post office or using their online services to schedule a pickup or drop off at a designated location. You will need to fill out a shipping label with the recipient’s address, pay for postage, and choose a shipping method.
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/nostupidquestions › how do i mail a package at the post office?
r/NoStupidQuestions on Reddit: How do I mail a package at the post office?
August 4, 2023 -

One of my long-distance friends mailed me some of their old games, so I wanted to send them a care package back as thanks. The box is taped up and ready- I think- but I’ve never actually mailed a package at the post office before and I have anxiety over it. If somebody could give me step-by-step instructions on what I should say and do, I’d appreciate it.

Update: I did it and it wasn’t as hard as I thought. Thanks everyone who responded and helped out. :]

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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › general › 09c2c-need-exactly-send-pa.html
How To Send a Package at the Post Office: Step Guide
June 23, 2006 - Thanks · Answered by JustAnswer Author in 23 hours 19 years ago ... go to the post office, they provide the box free, if it fits in the box which for what you're mentioning it does.
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ShipScience
shipscience.com › how-to-ship-a-package-using-usps-a-step-by-step-guide
How To Ship A Package Using USPS: A Step-by-Step Guide - ShipScience
May 14, 2023 - Shipping a package with USPS is simple and affordable with their reliable services. This comprehensive guide walks you through selecting the right shipping class, choosing appropriate box sizes, and properly packaging your items. Learn to use USPS online tools for cost calculation and label printing, explore insurance and tracking options, and avoid common mistakes for a seamless shipping experience.
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-ship-a-package-at-the-post-office
How to ship a package at the post office - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Part 1 of 2:Choosing a Shipping Method 1. Use Retail Ground for the most affordable shipping option. Formerly known as Standard Post, Retail Ground is the cheapest way to ship a package via the USPS.
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USPS
pe.usps.com › text › dmm100 › preparing-packages.htm
Preparing Packages | Postal Explorer - USPS
Print or type the delivery address parallel to the longest side of the package. Type or print clearly with a pen or permanent marker so that your address is legible from an arm’s length away. Place labels for extra services above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, ...
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Lifehacker
lifehacker.com › home
How to Send and Receive Mail Using the US Post Office Without Pain and Suffering | Lifehacker
June 9, 2025 - You can just go to your local post office and grab as many boxes as you need. It's good to keep a stock at home if you mail often so you can just prepare everything in advance and not waste any time.
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Easyship
easyship.com › blog › how-to-ship-a-package-with-usps
How to Ship a Package USPS: What You Need to Know
February 7, 2023 - If you ship a heavy package via air, you should be expecting a hefty bill. Ensure that you place the postage on a visible area of the box. The label will be required during the journey, as it contains a barcode scanned often.
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USPS
faq.usps.com › s › article › USPS-Delivery-Instructions-The-Basics
USPS Delivery Instructions™ - The Basics
With USPS Delivery Instructions service, you--the addressee/intended recipient--can specify and authorize how certain incoming shipments and mailpieces are to be delivered, BEFORE they are delivered. Once you set up Instructions electronically, items can be left at a specific location at your address, your Local Post Office, or even at a different domestic address – all options are listed online.
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MyWifeQuitHerJob
mywifequitherjob.com › how to start an online store › shipping & fulfillment › how to ship a package via the united states postal service usps – the ultimate guide
How To Ship A Package Via The United States Postal Service USPS - The Ultimate Guide
Would you like express mail, priority mail or first class or parcel post? You do realize that you can print your own labels right? ... Anyway, the purpose of this guide is to demystify the United States Postal Service. And I’m going to outline all of the different options so you don’t embarrass yourself at the post office like I did. If you are interested in starting an ecommerce business, I put together a comprehensive package ...
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Postal Regulatory Commission
prc.gov › sites › default › files › archived › DMM100.2.pdf pdf
A Customer’s Guide to Mailing
3 weeks ago - Postage to affix the correct amount. ... Express Mail. ... Do not use commas or periods. ... Offices.
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Stamps.com
stamps.com › home › how to ship a package: your complete step-by-step guide
How to Ship a Package: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide - Stamps.com
December 8, 2025 - Where to mail packages depends on your carrier. Drop off your labeled package at any carrier location, authorized retailer, or collection box. For USPS, this includes post offices and blue collection boxes.
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USPS
pe.usps.com › text › dmm100 › sending-receiving.htm
Sending and Receiving Mail - Postal Explorer - USPS
Scheduling a pickup. Taking it to a Post Office. Items bearing only postage stamps as postage payment and that weigh more than 10 ounces, or measure more than half-inch in thickness, must be taken to an employee at the retail counter of a Post Office. Whether it's Package ...
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › general › aud8l-ship-something-someone-pick-post.html
How can I ship something for someone to pick up at the post office (they don't have a residence. They are staying in a
December 2, 2017 - Use the USPS Hold for Pickup service by addressing the package to the recipient’s name with the post office location as the delivery address. Include 'Hold for Pickup' on the label. The recipient can then collect the package at the specified ...