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With fewer than 100 shipping days until Christmas, USPS is offering shipping tips to help customers make sure their holiday gifts reach their destinations in time.
Here are a few tips customers should know:

• Remove batteries from toys and other electronic devices. Wrap and place them next to the item in the mailing box. Customers should include the new batteries in the manufacturer’s packaging.
• Place a card inside the package that contains both the delivery and return addresses. This ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the mailing label become damaged or fall off.
• Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side.
• Always use a return address.
• Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents.
• Don’t reuse mailing boxes as they can weaken in the shipping process.
• Stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage.
• When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
• To save time by skipping the post office visit, customers can also order free boxes online by visiting the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop by Dec 3 and utilizing Free Package Pickup.

More helpful tools to ship and receive packages this holiday season are available online.