7 Most Common Holiday Shipping Mistakes

(WXYZ) - Wednesday, December 16th is expected to be the busiest delivery day of the holiday season for the U.S. Postal Service. But if you still have more packages to mail, take note.

Here are the 7 Most Common Holiday Mailing Mistakes according to Downtown Detroit’s postal headquarters:


Using Old / Weak Boxes

They can collapse or rip open causing your gift to fall out. Make sure your box is sturdy, filled properly so the gift won’t get jostled, and taped shut with mailing tape.

Using Masking Tape or String

Masking tape will start to roll off. String can also get caught in postal service sorting machines. Either issue can cause your package to tear open or become damaged.

Mailing a Package Wrapped in Gift Wrap Paper

Wrapping paper is pretty, but it is not sturdy enough for mailing. It is easily torn, punctured, wet, or ripped.

Brown mailing paper is appropriate.

Using the Wrong Kind of Envelope

A manila envelope is not strong enough to hold items with sharp edges or heavy, breakable gifts. Use padded envelopes or postal service envelopes designed not to tear.

Writing the Incorrect Address or Zip Code

One wrong number in the zip code will delay a package well past its holiday due date. So be sure to double check the address when you write it out.

Writing That Can Smear

Rain and snow can smear addresses written in some ink. An easy way to solve this is to cover your handwriting with clear plastic tape.

Adding Bulky Items to Greeting Cards

Some people like to throw in a candy cane or small item in greeting cards, but that extra bulk can cause your card to get stuck in the sorting machine. What happens next is not pretty.

Some cards come out looking shredded. Keep your goodies out of cards. It’s the thoughtful message inside that counts.

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Source | WXYZ.COM