HAPPY BUBBLE WRAP APPRECIATION DAY! FREE SHIPPING TODAY ONLY!

Today is the day! Today Only!

Free Shipping Section, visit this link on January 26th 2009

http://www.fastpack.net/Shopping.idc?ProductCategory=139

Over 200 New Box Sizes added !

As promised, we have been busy at work adding new products to our new website! Over 250 new box sizes added this week alone! Look for more to be added in the coming days! See the boxes we have added, by visiting the following page on our site.

http://www.fastpack.net/Shopping.idc?ProductCategory=22

USPS Holiday Fact Sheet 2007

The U.S. Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates so that holiday cheer arrives safely and on time:
Dec. 4 Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 Military mail to other international destinations
Dec. 15 Parcel Post, the most economical service
Dec. 20 First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 Priority Mail
Dec. 22 Express Mail
And remember these dates as well:
Dec. 17 The busiest mailing day of the year
Dec. 19 The busiest delivery day of the year
Visit the Holiday Press Room at usps.com

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Fastpack Shipping Supplies @ www.fastpack.net

2007 USPS, UPS, FEDEX & DHL Holiday Delivery Schedule

Hello All! It is getting that time of year. We just wanted to remind our customers of the upcoming Holiday Shipping schedules of the USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx.

USPS ( United States Postal Service )
Closed on the following days:
Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - New Year's Day

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UPS Ground ( United Parcel Service )
Closed on the following days:
Nov 22 Thursday No UPS pickup or delivery. (UPS Express CriticalSM service is available for urgent packages. Call 1-800-451-4550 or visit upsexpresscritical.com .

Nov 23 Friday Delivery of UPS air and international packages only. Automatic daily pickup service not provided. Pickup available for air and international shipments if prearranged by Wednesday, Nov. 21, or via UPS On-Call Pickup® service before 2 p.m. No UPS Ground pickups or deliveries today. Pickup service at all UPS drop boxes will be 2 p.m. today.

Dec 25 Tuesday No UPS pickup or delivery. (UPS Express CriticalSM service is available for urgent packages. Call 1-800-451-4550 or visit upsexpresscritical.com .)

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FEDEX Ground
Closed on the following days:
Nov. 22nd Thanksgiving day
December 25th Christmas Day


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DHL
Closed on the following days:
Thursday 22-Nov Closed. For emergency service call DHL Same Day at 1-800-336-3344.
Tuesday 25-Dec Closed. For emergency service call DHL Same Day at 1-800-336-3344.

USPS Closed in observance of Columbus Day - Monday, October 8, 2007

Just a reminder, The USPS ( United States Postal Service) is Closed in observance of Columbus Day - Monday, October 8. They will reopen Tuesday October the 9th, 2007.

The next USPS Holiday is Monday, November 12 - Veterans Day Observed

UPS, FEDEX, and DHL, are all running as usual today. Expect deliveries and pickups from these companies today.

National Mail Service Updates - Current as of Monday, Sept. 24, 2007

Current as of Monday, Sept. 24, 2007

Current Update Areas:

* North Dakota Post Office closed due to tornado
* Northland District Post Offices
* Minneapolis, MN
* Eastern Iowa
* Mail updates for New Orleans area

North Dakota Post Office closed due to tornado
Service updates for Northwood, ND

Northwood, ND 58267

The Northwood, ND, Post Office remains damaged after being struck by a tornado. A temporary unit has been established behind the facility. Drop shipments for mail destinating into Northwood, ND, can be scheduled for the temporary unit between the hours of 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Firms that can’t accommodate dropping the mail during these hours can continue to drop their mail at the Larimore Post Office, located at:

208 E. Front St.
Larimore, ND 58251
Flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Service updates for Northland District Post Offices

Three Post Offices in the Northland District are closed due to flooding. Delivery ooperations at the Rushford, MN, Post Office and the Steuben, WI, and Gays Mills, WI, Post Offices have been temporariliy relocated. Customer pickups and Destinating Delivery Unit shipments are redirected to:
Closed Office Alternate DDU/Customer pickup
501 S. Mill St., Rushford, MN 55971-8841 328 Mill St., Peterson, MN 55962-9774
117 Railway Ave., Steuben, WI 54657-8500 106 N Main St., Suite C Eastman, WI 54626-7301
225 Orin St., Gays Mills, WI 54631-8307 101 Sunset Ave., Soldires Grove, WI 54655-6534

Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Service updates for Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN 55413

The recent Minneapolis bridge collapse has not affected mail processing at the Twin Cities Metro Hub, but traffic is being diverted from the Broadway Street exit of 280. This detour requires mailers to take alternate routes to access the facility. Click here for directions.
Iowa Post Office closed due to tornado
Service updates for Fruitland, IA

Fruitland, IA 52749

A major tornado has struck Fruitland, IA, destroying the Post Office. Postal operations have been moved to the Muscatine IA Post Office located at:

3100 CEDAR ST.
MUSCATINE IA 52761-9998.

All mail for Fruitland, IA, residents should continue to be addressed to their Fruitland address. Drop shipments for Fruitland should be scheduled with and delivered to the Muscatine, IA, Post Office.
Mail updates for New Orleans area

Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail or Library Mail continue to operate normally.
Standard Mail

Restrictions continue for Standard Mail. Mailers can enter Standard letters and flats into the New Orleans ZIP Codes impacted by the storms, provided they have registered with the Mail Restoration Program and cleansed their address lists before mailing. For information on the Mail Restoration Program, contact the National Customer Support Center at 877-640-0724, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT. and select option 1.

Click here for a complete list of affected Standard Mail ZIP Codes.
Express Mail

Express Mail to New Orleans and Southern Louisiana is available again. Express Mail restrictions have been lifted for Southern Louisiana. The affected areas are back on our Express Mail networks effective May 26. Transportation has been put into place to allow Express Mail overnight and two-day delivery into these areas. Most of the 700 and 701 ZIP Code areas will be overnight, depending on acceptance times. 703 and 704 ZIP Code areas will be second day delivery, depending on acceptance times. Actual delivery standards for the Express Mail guarantee will depend on day and time accepted as well as the destination of the mail piece.
Labeling Lists

Labeling Lists have been updated to reflect current operational status. They are published and updated in the online DMM. Mailers may also subscribe to labeling list products and updates using Form 8184. For more information contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150.
Retail and Delivery Operations

Delivery service for New Orleans has been restored for all ZIP Codes.

Free Shipping Special - Bubble Wrap, Bubble Mailers, Tape, etc.!

2 DAY ONLY - INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE !!!


We are holding an inventory reduction sale, for TWO (2) DAYS ONLY! From Monday December 18, 2006 at 12:01am EST, to December 20, 2006, at 12:01am EST

Click Here for all the details!

During these two days we will be offering the following:
FREE SHIPPING on select Bubble Wrap Rolls
FREE SHIPPING on all sizes of "Our Brand" Bubble Mailers
FREE SHIPPING on select Metallic Bubble Mailers / Envelopes
FREE SHIPPING on Case quantities of Color Packaging Tapes
Discounted shipping rates for Clear Packaging Tapes

This is BIG! You know this, as shipping on these items can often run up to 20% - 40% of your bill on these items. Be sure to mark these days on your calander.

Please help us spread the word! Really, we need your help, Please post in Forums, Newsletters, and / or your Blog. Tell all of your friends, family, and co workers. The better response we have to this offer, the better possibility we can offer this promotion again.

Thanks Again, and see you on the 18th or 19th ! :)

Jason Archambault

P.S. If you need a reminder when the sale starts, sign up for our newsletter and we will send out a reminder to you. Sign up at the bottom of the Free Shipping page, http://www.fast-pack.com/free-shipping.html

UPS, FEDEX Ground, & USPS Priority Mail - Dimensional Weight to play large roll in shipping costs during 2007

Looks like in 2007 UPS, FEDEX Ground, and the USPS will change the way packages are measured and billed. All three carriers are implementing a new (new for ground packages) dimensional weight system.

How will this affect sellers? It will greatly affect those sellers that ship larger, lighter items.
Lets look at an example. Lets take a package that weighs 3 lbs and measures 20x20x12. (By UPS, FEDEX GROUND and USPS Priority mail standards, this is currently not considered an oversized package and ships at the 3 lb rate.)

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USPS Priority Mail:
This item can be shipped currently to zone 1 for $5.00, to zone 8 for $9.00. At the new dimensional weight, for the same product, it would be charged at the 25 lb rate! To zone 1, at the current rate a 25 lb package via Priority mail is $17.30, and the same package to zone 8 $47.40.

Here is how the dimensional weight will be calculated for the USPS Priority Mail.:
How to Determine a Priority Mail Dimensional-Weight Price

For rectangular (box-like) items, measure the length, width, and height. The length is always the longest dimension. Round off each individual measurement to the nearest whole inch (20-1/4 inches is considered 20 inches; 20-3/4 inches is 21 inches). Next, multiply the length by the width by the height. The result is the cubic capacity expressed in cubic inches. If the result is 1,728 cubic inches or less, the parcel is less than 1 cubic foot and dimensional weight pricing does not apply. If the result exceeds 1,728 cubic inches, divide it by 194 (the "dim factor") to determine the dimensional weight. Round up any fraction of a pound to the next whole pound to get the dimensional-weight price for the parcel. If the actual weight of the parcel exceeds the dimensional weight, base the price on the actual weight.
Example:
20 x 20 x 12 = 4800
4800 / 194 = 24.74 pounds
24.74 rounded up is 25 pounds

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UPS GROUND:
From the UPS website:
Effective January 1, 2007, Oversize charges for larger packages shipped via UPS Ground services will be replaced with a simpler rate calculation based on dimensional weight. Dimensional weight will only apply to UPS Ground packages measuring three cubic feet (5,184 cubic inches) or larger. Packages measuring less than three cubic feet will continue to be billed based on actual weight. As a result of this change, dimensional weight charges will gradually increase as the package size increases, eliminating significant steps from one Oversize tier to the next.


How To Measure Cubic Size
To determine if dimensional weight pricing applies to your package, you must first calculate its cubic size. Follow these steps:
Measure the length, width and height of your package. Round each measurement to the nearest whole inch. (For example, 1.00" to 1.49" will be considered 1 inch, and 1.50" to 1.99" will be considered 2 inches.)
Multiply the length by the width by the height. The result is the cubic size of your package.


How To Calculate Dimensional Weight
Once you have calculated the cubic size of your UPS Ground package and have determined that it is 5,184 cubic inches or greater, you are ready to calculate the dimensional weight. Divide the cubic size of your package by 194 rounding up to the nearest full pound.
UPS Domestic Ground Service
L x W x H / 194

Billable weight will be based on either the actual weight or dimensional weight of your UPS Ground package, whichever is greater.
---end UPS website---

Lets look at a 20"x20"x20" package. Currently is considered oversized and if weighs less than 30 lbs is billed at the 30lb rate. Currently if it weighs over 30lbs, it is billed at its actual weight.

20x20x20=8000 / 194 = 41.23 So a 20x20x20" package currently billed at the 30lb rate will jump to a 42 lb rate

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FedEx Ground:
From the FedEx website:

FedEx Ground Dimensional Weight Rate Calculation (Effective February 5, 2007)
For FedEx Ground shipments, a rate calculation based on dimensional weight may apply for packages that are 3 cubic feet (5,184 cubic inches) or larger. These packages will be billed based on dimensional weight unless actual weight is greater. Packages smaller than 3 cubic feet will be billed based on actual weight.
---end FedEx Website---

Lets look at a 20"x20"x20" package. Currently is considered oversized and if weighs less than 30 lbs is billed at the 30lb rate. Currently if it weighs over 30lbs, it is billed at its actual weight. 20x20x20=8000 / 194 = 41.23 So a 20x20x20" package currently billed at the 30lb rate will jump to a 42 lb rate

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Here are the links to the delivery services press releases on their websites. The USPS will use dimensional weight for anything over 1 cubic foot, UPS and FEDEX will use dimensional weight over 3 cubic feet.

USPS:
http://pe.usps.com/DMMAdvisory.asp?Dest=dmmadvisory103006.htm

UPS: http://ezsnip.com/x.php?o3

FedEx Ground:
http://images.fedex.com/us/rates2007/DimWeight.pdf?link=4

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P.S. If you would like to add to the above information or would like to a a comment, please feel free to do so by clicking on the comment button below.

USPS CLOSED Monday, October 9, 2006 - Columbus Day

Just a reminder that the United States Post Office will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2006 for the Columbus Day holiday. The USPS will reopen on Tuesday October 10, 2006.

Tips for Sending Taxes by Mail

From USPS.com:

We know how important tax time is. That’s why we provide you with flexible product and service choices. You decide how you want to mail your returns—we’ll get them to where they’re going.

When you mail your taxes with the U.S. Postal Service®, you enjoy the benefits of the “timely mailing as timely filing/paying” rule for tax returns and payments. This year, as long as your return is postmarked by April 17 (or 18 if you live in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, or the District of Columbia) the IRS considers your return to be filed on time.

Remember, if taxes filed from your location need to be sent to a P.O. Box, the U.S. Postal Service is the only carrier who can deliver for you.

Mailing Options
Three mailing options apply a postmark to your return, making you eligible for the “timely mailing” rule!
Express Mail® Service Your tax return can be delivered to many locations the next day guaranteed or your money back. Express Mail includes online tracking and signature at delivery.
Priority Mail® Service Get your tax return delivered in an average of 2-3 days.
First-Class Mail® Service First-Class Mail® is a quick, reliable, and economical way to mail your return.

Proof of Mailing Services
Proof of Mailing services provide you with peace of mind. You can prove you mailed your tax return, verify that it was delivered, or both!
Certificate of Mailing™ Service You’ll get a receipt as evidence that you mailed your tax return.
Certified Mail™ Service A Certified Mail receipt proves you mailed your tax return and gives you online access to verify the date and time of delivery.
Return Receipt This receipt verifies both mailing and delivery, returning a postcard to you signed by the person who received your package.

Online Services
Use USPS.com tools to help you mail your tax returns.
Print Shipping Label You can print Priority Mail & Express Mail labels for all your tax returns—with or without postage—and save yourself precious time.