According to the 2014 US Holiday Shopping Survey from Accenture Research, about 49% of people have already started their holiday shopping, and the same survey found that about two-thirds of people are planning on shopping on Black Friday. It sounds like many folks are nearly done with holiday shopping and are almost ready to start shipping gifts to out of town friends and family. In anticipation of questions regarding holiday shipping and packaging, AIM Mail Centers have compiled answers to some of your most frequent questions.
Q. Before I start buying gifts, is there anything I should be aware of because of shipping restrictions?
A. Yes. Perfume, tobacco products, fireworks, and many products with Lithium batteries cannot be shipped.
Q. I’d like to include wine as part of a gift this year. Is it possible to ship wine?
A. Yes, but only through a shipper with a special license for shipping wine. While beer and liquor cannot be shipped, many AIM Mail Centers are approved to ship wine. Give the one nearest you a call for more details about how they can help properly package and ship your wine.
Q. Do you have any tips on packaging? I want to make sure my fragile gifts arrive safely.
A. Choosing the right supplies can make a difference in helping your gifts arrive in one piece. We recommend using a new box and packing your items with bubble packaging and packing peanuts. Old shipping cartons are more likely to collapse or break apart during shipping, and filling empty spaces with packing peanuts can help prevent the carton flaps from caving in.
Q. With the holidays being so busy, it’s hard to get everything done on time. Will you have extended hours so I can take care of shipping at my convenience?
A. Most AIM Mail Center locations are planning on extending their hours in anticipation of the busy season. Call the location you wish to visit for more details about their expanded holiday hours. You can find any AIM Mail Center location by visiting AIMMailCenters.com/locations.
Q. What are the shipping deadlines this year to ensure my gifts arrive in time for Christmas?
A. Most carriers are listing the final days to ship coast-to-coast as December 18, 2014. Check back next week for detailed calendar of the last days to ship your gifts in time for Christmas. Remember, bad weather can affect delivery times, so you might want to consider shipping early.
AIM Mail Center is your one-stop-shop for shipping and packaging needs. This holiday season, we invite you to visit us at the location nearest you and let us take care of some of your holiday busyness.