Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Hey there.

So, I sent a package from Vienna over to Miami, and ever since Thursday, the tracking says it’s been sitting in Columbus... but when I actually called them, they couldn't find any trace of it. I even reached out to some information center at the post office, and the woman on the line told me the package hasn't even entered the US yet... 😕😕 🤷

Then why on earth does the status say it's in the States?? And that it was out for delivery but the address didn't match? I mean, the address is perfectly fine... honestly, who knows anymore.

Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 08:17:00 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 09:15:00 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 09:15:30 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 15:42:00 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 15:42:30 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 21.08.2014 18:36:00 USA
Package tracking log Columbus 25.08.2014 15:44:00 USA

Hey everyone! Quick question... if I drop off a package tomorrow using certified mail, is there any chance it hits its destination in just two days? Or is there a better way to ship something if I really need it to get there ASAP? Thanks!

Bryan Newman83 said:Hey there! Does anyone know if a package I send tomorrow could actually make it to its destination in just two days if I use registered mail? Or is there some other way I should be sending things to get them there as fast as possible? Thanks!

Yeah, it can.

Finally found my package... honestly, it was a miracle from Bob himself, but it showed up. I'm done, though. I am never using international mail again. Ever.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes for a package to get from the US over to Mexico?

It’s nothing major, just a single BR movie, but I’ve honestly never sent or received anything through the mail before, so I'm totally in the dark here.

Thanks so much in advance for any help you guys can give me! 👍

Look, if you're shipping a movie, just use a bubble mailer with tracking instead of a full box. Shipping it as a package is a total money pit.
Standard mail usually takes about a week, but if you go with certified mail, it should shave a few days off that. That's pretty much the standard turnaround time when dealing with neighboring countries.

Melissa Phillips4 said:Look, if you're just sending over a movie, you're way better off using a padded bubble mailer with tracking instead of a full-on box, otherwise the shipping costs are going to be absolutely insane.
Standard mail usually takes about a week at most, but if you go with certified mail, I bet it'll show up even faster—maybe in just a few days. That's pretty much the standard turnaround when you're shipping to neighboring countries.

Oh, wait, I wasn't actually the one doing the shipping; someone else sent something to me!

So, seven days? Man, that's awesome! I was honestly bracing myself for it to take like two or three weeks to arrive, so hearing it might only take a week is such a relief. 👏

Thanks a ton for the help, catch ya later! 👍

Does anyone know what the shipping rate is for a certified letter from Miami to Argentina? Thanks.

Alexander Turner said:Hey, does anyone know what the shipping costs are for a certified letter from Miami to Argentina? Thanks!

Hey there, you can find the breakdown right here: http://www.usps.com/online-calculator

I’m looking to ship a few items to Germany using a bubble mailer. Standard procedure would be my info in the top left and the recipient's in the bottom right, right? Also, does the USPS classify these as letters or packages? What’s the most reliable way to send this—standard shipping or something more secure?

Alexander Turner said:What’s the shipping cost for a registered letter from Miami to Argentina? Thanks.

It’s exactly 50 grams. Period. $9.25 And even that little bit of cash.
Don't hold your breath waiting for that to arrive. The postal service in Argentina is incredibly sluggish. Last time I ordered something, it took three full months to show up. 😁

swiftbison2 said:I'm shipping a few items to Germany in a bubble mailer. So, I put my info in the top left and cross it out, then put the recipient's details in the bottom right? Does the USPS classify these bubble mailers as letters or packages? What’s the safest way to send this—should I go with tracked shipping or what?

Put your own info on the back. Recipient details go on the front, bottom right. Simple as that.
Envelopes are technically classified as letters, though you can always opt to send a package via certified mail. If you want any peace of mind, just go with certified. It’s the only way to be sure.

Melissa Phillips4 said:Look, if you're just sending over a movie, wouldn't it be way smarter to just use a bubble mailer with registered mail instead of a full-on box? Shipping a package would end up being way too pricey, right?
With standard USPS, you're looking at maybe 7 days max, but if you go the registered route, I bet it’d show up even faster—like, just a few days. That's pretty much the standard turnaround when you're shipping stuff to neighboring states here in the US.

You were totally spot on! It actually showed up on the 7th day.😉

cosmiclynx57 said:You were right. It showed up on the 7th, exactly as expected. 😉

🙂

What happens if I order something via cash on delivery and then get a notification saying I have five days to pick it up? If I just don't show up, am I going to get hit with some kind of fine or something?

And why wouldn't I just go pick it up?

So... I could use some info/help 🙂

I’m planning to ship a package from Washington, D.C. to Miami via FedEx today, with the goal of having it arrive at the recipient's address by 3:00 PM tomorrow.

The items being sent are drawer organizers weighing about 20-25 kg, and to fit everything, the box should be roughly 100x50x60 cm (LxWxH). Since the total dimensions come to 350 cm, it looks like I'll be charged based on weight according to their website.

I have two main questions:
a) What is the absolute latest I can complete the online shipping label and have the package picked up from my house to ensure it arrives by tomorrow afternoon?
b) Any tips on packaging? The local post office doesn't carry boxes this large, so if I manage to find one myself, are there specific rules for labeling or taping it? Specifically, I'm shipping 7 pull-out wardrobe baskets from eBay (each is 100x40x58 cm) and 4 pull-out pant hangers, also from eBay.

Thanks everyone for any help 😁

LadyMoonlight says: Check out this post
All I managed to get was some confirmation from HP Express containing addresses and details, but absolutely no tracking number.
EDIT: I actually found it, but now the system is claiming the package doesn't even exist.
EDIT2: Finally, a glimmer of hope. It says: Jan 31st, shipment prepared for delivery.
What on earth is that supposed to mean?

And to make matters worse, it also claims they attempted delivery on the 30th and 31st, but nobody was home.

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Linda Chavez14 said:That means it hasn't been delivered to the recipient yet and is just sitting at their local post office waiting to be picked up. If it isn't collected within five business days of the notice being left, it gets sent back to the sender.

I have a follow-up question here:

If the recipient is required to pick up the package at their local post office, will they actually receive some kind of notification—a letter or any other sort of official notice—stating they have five business days to come grab it?

I would truly appreciate it if someone could clarify this for me, as I find myself in the exact same predicament as LadyMoonlight.

My package showed up and they left a yellow slip, but I’m gonna be out of town for a few days. Is there any way to extend the hold on that thing?

Hey everyone,

So, when I'm looking at shipping out a package through the mail, I see options for both economy and premium service, but for some reason, it doesn't actually say what the real difference is between them 🤔

Also, does anyone know if you actually get a tracking number when sending stuff internationally—and I'm not talking about those specific EMS shipments, just the standard ones mentioned above?

Thanks in advance 🙂

Sorry if I’m repeating something here—I really don't have the energy to dig through 150+ pages of this thread right now.

Can you actually put anything besides just paper in a standard First-Class envelope? I mean, things like those small items you see people shipping on eBay in those bubble mailers. Does the USPS actually classify those padded envelopes as letters or are they considered packages?

Does anyone happen to know how long a package usually takes to get from Pittsburgh to somewhere like Chicago🙂 or maybe even New York City
?