Here is list of the 2011 holiday shipping deadlines from the three main carriers.

FedEx:

UPS:

3 Day Select^SM – ship by Tuesday, Dec. 20 (NOT eligible for Saturday delivery)

2nd Day Air® – ship by Thursday, Dec. 22 ($15 Saturday surcharge for each package)

Next Day Air® – ship by Friday, Dec. 23  ($15 Saturday surcharge for each package)

UPS Ground Service – Check time in transit chart at UPS.com to calculate shipping time – We’ve seen December 17th as the general last day.

USPS:

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail
Calculated for December 25, 2011.

* Some Express Mail destinations may have extended service commitments.

For Military and International deadlines visit USPS.

2011 U.S. Postal Service Holidays:

• Veterans Day – November 11, 2011
• Thanksgiving Day – November 24, 2011
• Christmas Day (Observed) – December 26, 2011
• New Year’s Day (Observed) – January 2, 2012

2011 UPS Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 24, 2011
• Day after Thanksgiving – November 25, 2011
• Christmas Day (Observed) – December 26, 2011
• New Year’s Day (Observed) – January 2, 2012

2011 FedEx Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 24, 2011
• Christmas Day (Observed) – December 26, 2011
• New Year’s Day (Observed) – January 2, 2012

Please Note:  There is no regular pickup or delivery service for these holidays; however, most carriers offer emergency service 365 days a year.  The best way to ensure a timely delivery of your goods is to allow a few extra days prior to the above listed holidays.  We recommend calling your carrier if you have any questions. Remember to start stocking up on shipping supplies for the holiday rush!

2010 U.S. Postal Service Holidays:

• Veterans Day – November 11, 2010
• Thanksgiving Day – November 25, 2010
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2010
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2011

2010 UPS Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 25, 2010
• Day after Thanksgiving – November 26, 2010
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2010
• New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2010
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2011

2010 FedEx Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 25, 2010
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2010
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2011

Please Note: There is no regular pickup or delivery service for these holidays; however, most carriers offer emergency service 365 days a year.  The best way to ensure a timely delivery of your goods is to allow a few extra days prior to the above listed holidays.  We recommend calling your carrier if you have any questions.

2009 U.S. Postal Service Holidays:

• Veterans Day – November 11, 2009
• Thanksgiving Day – November 26, 2009
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2009
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2010

2009 UPS Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 26, 2009
• Day after Thanksgiving – November 27, 2009
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2009
• New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2009
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2010

2009 FedEx Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 26, 2009
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2009
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2010

2009 DHL Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving – November 26, 2009
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2009
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2010

Please Note:  There is no regular pickup or delivery service for these holidays; however, most carriers offer emergency service 365 days a year.  The best way to ensure a timely delivery of your goods is to allow a few extra days prior to the above listed holidays.  We recommend calling your carrier if you have any questions.

2008 U.S. Postal Service Holidays:

• Veterans Day – November 11, 2008
• Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2009

2008 UPS Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2008
• Day after Thanksgiving – November 28, 2008
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2008
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2009

2008 FedEx Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2009

2008 DHL Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving – November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day – December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2009

Please Note:  There is no regular pickup or delivery service for these holidays; however, most carriers offer emergency service 365 days a year.  The best way to ensure a timely delivery of your goods is to allow a few extra days prior to the above listed holidays.  We recommend calling your carrier if you have any questions.

Having a shipping scale is cost effective & time saving; don’t you think it’s time to buy a scale?

ShippingSupply.com has chosen to carry scales made by My Weigh.  Why?  Because My Weigh offers a 30 Year warranty on all of their products and have been able to manufacture high quality scales at low prices.

We offer five different scales including the UltraShip35, UltraShip55, UltraShip75, UltraShipU2, and the HD150.  The following are short descriptions of each scale to help our customers choose the scale that best fits their needs…

UltraShip35, UltraShip55, and UltraShip75:  The three models are identical in features and functions; however, the numbers listed after the names represent the capacity of each scale.  These scales feature 0.1oz accuracy up to 2lbs and 0.2oz accuracy over 2lbs, a programmable auto off, and detachable readout for big packages.  An A/C adapter, shipping tube attachment and a telescoping letter holding attachment are included.

Best Use:  Weigh Shipping Boxes, envelopes, or mailing tubes at home or small business.  Choose the model that best fits your capacity needs.

UltraShip-U2:  The pinnacle of office-postal & shipping scales.  Has a 60lb capacity with 0.1oz accuracy up to 2lbs and 0.2oz accuracy over 2lbs.  Features include; programmable auto off, detachable readout for big packages, UPS Worldship and USPS.com compatibility, a Shipping Tube attachment and a telescoping letter holder.

Best Use:  Weigh packages, Bubble Mailers, or mailing tubes that are less than 60lbs.  One of the major differences between the UltraShip 35/55/75 scales and the UltraShip U2 is the U2′s ability to connect to a computer using a USB cord.

HD150:  The HD Series means heavy duty.  This scale is extra durable and designed for shipping, weight checking, and most other industrial uses.  Features include; 14″ x 14″ platform, AC Adaptor, UPS Worldship and Endicia’s Dazzle compatibility, RS232 Computer port and cable, runs on AC or batteries.

Best Use:  Shipping packages up to 150lbs for medium or large businesses.  The U2 is compatible with UPS Worldship or Endicia’s Dazzle software.

1. Is the item being shipped fragile or large?

If yes, ship the item in Corrugated Shipping Boxes.

If no, consider one of the following mailing products; Bubble Mailers, Mailing Tubes, Poly Mailers, or Rigid Mailers. Mailers are a low cost alternative to boxes and are usually less expensive to ship.

2. If using corrugated shipping boxes, decide how the item(s) will be protected during transportation?

The most common methods of protecting the contents of a shipping box is wrapping the item in Bubble Wrap, suspending the item using Packing Peanuts, or filling the box with Kraft Paper in effort to stabilize the item.

3. Factor in the other supplies needed to ship the item(s) which include; Carton Sealing Tape, Shipping Labels, Packing List Envelopes, and a Tape Gun.

Now calculate the amount of materials it takes to package one item and multiply by the number of shipments per month. This will give you an understanding of how much packaging material is needed on a monthly basis. Finally, divide the cost of materials by the number of items you ship per month to arrive at your “per item” packaging cost.

Other things to consider:

• Don’t forget to insure your package. Both UPS and FedEx offer free insurance up to $100 per shipment. The US Postal Service does not offer free insurance.
• If you have an employee packing, you will have to calculate labor charges to cover the “time” aspect of packing.
• Buy your packaging supplies in bulk to save money.