Congratulations, Graduate! You've conquered your college years, and it's time for the next adventure. But before you dive into post-grad life, there's the small matter of dealing with all the stuff accumulated during your time on campus. From textbooks to clothes, figuring out how to ship your belongings home can seem overwhelming. But no worry! With some planning, you can streamline your process effortlessly and say goodbye to the chaos of moving.

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Get Rid of What You Don’t Need

Before you start packing, evaluate what you actually need and what can be left behind. Consider donating or selling items that no longer serve you. Not only will this lighten your load, but it can also be a meaningful way to give to those in need.

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How to Pack Stuff

Once you've organized, it's time to pack up the essentials. Here are some tips from ShipSaving:

• When you ship with UPS on ShipSaving, be sure to review their List of Prohibited and Restricted Items for Shipping before you ship anything to make sure you’re not shipping any items you shouldn’t be!
• Safeguard your item within the box using packing materials like packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Ensure there is no excess space to prevent movement that could lead to damage. 
• Choosing Heavy Duty Boxes from Home Depot ensures sturdiness and reliability.
• Seal the box with packing tape, as heavy items can cause the regular tape to split. 
• Utilize free shipping supplies from USPS, FedEx, and UPS to save money on packaging materials. These carriers offer a variety of boxes, envelopes, and packing supplies that can accommodate your stuff. 
• Use transparent waterproof bags to securely attach the shipping label to the package, preventing it from falling off during shipping. Additionally, you can write the package's tracking number on the package, so even if the shipping label is lost, the package can still be retrieved.

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Shipping Services

When it comes to shipping your belongings, it pays to do your research. For items like books, USPS Media Mail is often the most affordable option. This service is specifically designed for shipping educational materials and offers discounted rates compared to standard shipping. Plus, you'll get the added benefit of tracking and wide coverage across the United States, ensuring your books arrive safely and on time.

International shipping

Choose a shipping service based on your needs such as speed or cost. If you need to ship internationally, remember to provide all necessary documents to ensure faster customs clearance. If you need to mail important documents such as your diploma, consider using fast and reliable shipping services like UPS Worldwide Express®. With a transportation network reaching over 220 countries and territories, UPS is equipped with a robust infrastructure. 

When your package arrives, the customs clearance officer will contact the recipient if further information is needed to complete customs clearance. In such cases, organize the required information as requested and submit it via email. Check the tracking history of your package regularly as any requirement for additional documentation will be reflected on the tracking page.

When using UPS services on the ShipSaving platform, you can benefit from UPS Paperless™ Invoice feature, which automatically transmits package information to customs authorities, saving you the hassle of manually printing documents, and making international shipping faster, easier, and more secure!

Cheapest and Easiest Way to Ship

For a hassle-free shipping experience, consider using a shipping software like ShipSaving. ShipSaving allows you to compare rates and services from major carriers like USPS, UPS, DHL Express, and FedEx to find the best fit for your shipments without visiting multiple websites. And you can access up to 89% off shipping discounts. Whether you're sending a single package or multiple boxes, ShipSaving makes it easy to save time and money on shipping costs.

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Conclusion

When you say goodbye to college life and embark on the next chapter of your journey, don't let the task of shipping your belongings home weigh you down. By following these tips, you can pack and send your items with ease, leaving you free to focus on the exciting adventures that lie ahead. Happy shipping, and congratulations once again on your graduation!