Special handling is a service offered by the post office for fragile or special care packages, with an extra cost. It is recommended to bring packages earlier in the week. Live animals are commonly shipped with this service. Other extra services are available, and the recipient can be alerted.
Special handling is a service offered by the post office for packages that require preferential handling because their contents are fragile or require special care. There is an extra cost to ship items through this service in addition to the basic shipping charges and may be combined with other courier services as required by the customer. It is recommended to bring packages that require special handling earlier in the week to ensure that the post office has as many working days as possible to deliver the package.
One of the most common uses for special handling is transporting live animals such as bees and chicks. Although the post office accepts live animals for shipment, a special handling service is strongly recommended to ensure animals are delivered in a timely manner. It is also important to streamline the shipping service to minimize the time animals spend in transit. Special handling is available for other types of packages that need to be handled with extreme care.
For packages containing liquid, fragile, and perishable items, it is usually sufficient to mark the package to indicate that it should be handled with care and to select a fast shipping method to reduce shipping time. A postal worker may recommend special handling for certain types of packages based on post office experience and policies. People who are not sure about choosing a shipping method can ask for advice.
First Class Mail, Priority Mail and Parcel Mail may have a special handling service added. In addition, customers can request delivery confirmation, insurance and cash on delivery (COD) services if required. Fees will apply for all these extra services. When shipping packages as part of a business transaction, it may be advisable to obtain a quote from the Post Office on the total cost in order to charge an appropriate amount for shipping.
When packages are sent with special handling, the recipient can be alerted so they know when to expect the package. The post office usually requires the recipient to arrive at a post office location to pick up the package and a signature will be required. Advance notice allows people to prepare in advance so they can pick up the package as soon as they are notified. The sender may also be advised to bring packages in at specific times or days of the week so that they can be transferred quickly from the home post office to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting around.
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