Can You Send A Parcel Without Going To The Post Office?

Have you ever felt frustrated by having to go to the post office to drop off a package, despite the fact that the mail carrier goes past your house every day? It seems like there should be a better solution, especially if you buy labels online.

You can send a parcel without going to the post office if you schedule for a USPS/FedEx/Royal Mail/UPS mail carrier to pick it up from your home. This can be done on your preferred carrier website. You will need to pack and weigh your package, purchase your label online and print it yourself, and then tell the worker where you have put the package.

Today we will tell you how you can arrange a home pickup for your parcel, which is particularly important in times of pandemic so you can avoid unnecessary risks of going to the post office in person.

Do I Have To Go To The Post Office To Send The Package?

As long as you are using one of the services that are eligible for pickup, you don’t have to go to the post office, no.

Many couriers, including USPS, will collect parcels from your home if you request this. You will have to let them know that you want a package collecting, however, or it will not be picked up.

This is true even if you put the package in your mailbox. Your mail carrier will not take it out unless they have been instructed to do so, so don’t simply leave it there.

If you would rather not go to the post office, arranging a pickup is the best option, but be aware that you will need to purchase your label online and print it yourself.

Can I Mail Packages From Home?

If you have access to the internet and a printer, you can mail packages from home, yes. To do this, you will need to pack, weigh, and select the correct shipping option on the USPS website yourself, without the guidance of the shipping clerk.

This can be challenging at first, but once you have got the hang of it, you should find it straightforward to repeat.

You will also need to have a safe, dry spot where you can leave the package. If it will fit in your mailbox, this is often a good solution. If not, consider an unlocked porch or sheltered step. Your carrier must be able to access it easily.

Which Mail Companies Allow You To Mail From Home?

You don’t only have to use USPS if you want a package to be picked up. Other companies offer this service too, such as FedEx and UPS.

It’s a good idea to compare shipping rates and see which company offers the cheapest option so you don’t end up paying over the odds for your mail to be sent.

How Do I Send A Parcel From Home?

To send a package with USPS, follow the steps below:

1. Once your item is packed, weigh it
2. Check online shipping calculators or USPS’s website to see what the mailing options are and how much they cost
3. Decide how quickly you need the package to travel and how much you are prepared to pay, and then use this to determine which shipping method is best for you. Note that not all shipping methods are eligible for pickup services. Choose Package Pickup, Priority Mail (or Priority Mail Express), or First-Class Package Service-Commercial
4. Go to the USPS “Schedule a Pickup” page (under “quick tools” on their main site)
5. Enter your name and address
6. Fill in the information about your package and accept the terms and conditions
7. Tell them where you will leave the package
8. Print your label, add it to the package
9. Put the package in place

To send a package with UPS:

1. Go to the UPS website and log in
2. Click on the “Schedule a Pickup”
3. Choose a time that suits you up to five days from the day you are on
4. Enter the location and choose your shipping service
5. Print the label and attach it to the box
6. Put the box in a safe spot and leave it

Note that UPS charges $2+ for the service.

To send a package with FedEx:

1. Go to the FedEx website and click on “Ship Lite”
2. Enter your details, your shipment details, and your payment information
3. Print the label and attach it to your parcel
4. Put the box in the agreed-upon spot

To send a parcel via Royal Mail:

1. Go to the Royal Mail website or Royal Mail App
2. Fill in your shipping information and choose whether you wish to print your label or have Royal Mail bring it
3. Place your package in the agreed-upon location

Note that you can call these companies if you would prefer to schedule a pickup over the phone, but this does prevent you from viewing the shipping options while you create your order.

How Can I Weigh My Package At Home?

One of the challenges of shipping from home is that you have to determine for yourself which label is the right one. If you don’t know how much your package weighs, this is problematic.

Most people usually just take their packages to the post office and allow the clerk to weigh and price them, but if you want to schedule a pickup, you will have to do this part yourself.

The easiest way is to use either your kitchen scales or your bathroom scales to weigh the parcel. Luggage scales will also work if you have them.

Use your bathroom scales or luggage scales for heavy items, as kitchen scales are often limited.

Simply place your scales on a flat surface and check that they are on 0 when you turn them on. Next, put the fully packaged parcel on them and check the weight.

If your item is too heavy for the kitchen scale yet too light for the bathroom scale to detect, you can step on your bathroom scale as usual holding the package and write down the numbers you see.

Then weigh yourself without the package. Subtract the numbers. Now you know how much your parcel weighs.

Do not weigh an unpacked item, as the packaging can be surprisingly heavy, so you won’t get an accurate reading.

Check how much your parcel weighs, and then use this to determine what sort of shipping you need to purchase. You may find that it helps to use an online shipping calculator to get the best deal.

Conclusion

Shipping packages from home make mailing a breeze, but it can take a bit of work to get it all figured out. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to schedule a package pickup and don’t expect them to turn up instantly.