1) Verify the Mailing Address & Hours of Operation
It’s very important that you verify the mailing address and hours of operation prior to sending your package. It is very possible the address or hours of operation has changed.
You can verify mailing addresses for post offices and operating hours at USPS.com
2) Verify Mailing Method
If you are mailing to a post office, use General Delivery mail through the United States Postal Service. Don’t mail packages to the post office using UPS, FedEx, DHL etc. Some post offices will charge you extra upon receiving the package or they may not even hold your package.
Some businesses only accept mail through the USPS, so it’s important to verify desired mailing method for each type of business.
3) Check for Storage Fees
Some businesses charge a holding fee per package. This could range from a few dollars to $100 depending on the location. If you mail out a lot of resupply packages, the cost of the holding fee can add up. Sometimes it might be cheaper just to buy the items when you get into town.
4) Verify Delivery Date
Before sending your resupply package, verify the estimated arrival date. Provide enough time to accommodate for an unexpected delay in shipping and make sure that your package will get there before you do.
5) Mark Each Side of the Box
Mark each side of the box with your name, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and “Hold for Hiker”. This will allow the package to be easily identified and retrieved no matter how it is stacked.
Make Your Box Easy to Find!
Notice how the other boxes in the photo aren’t labeled correctly. By labeling the side of the resupply box correctly your box can be easily identified among all the other boxes.
Summary
By following these tips and labeling your package correctly, the person receiving your package will be able to store and retrieve it quickly when you arrive. If you improperly label the package, then it’s possible your package will be overlooked in the stack of hundreds of other similar looking packages, or even get lost.