Shipping a package with UPS comes down to four steps. Measure and weigh it. Pick a service level, create a label, then get it to UPS.
Each step has a few decisions that change your price and your delivery date. Getting them right the first time saves a second trip and a wasted label. This guide walks through how to ship a package UPS the way most first time shippers actually need it done, from a home closet or a small business back room.
Step 1: measure and weigh your package
Measure length, width, and height in inches, then round up to the next whole number. The longest side counts as the length. UPS uses these numbers, plus weight, to calculate both the base rate and any size based surcharge.
Weigh the package on a home scale if you have one. Without a scale, stand on a bathroom scale holding the package. Then weigh yourself alone and subtract the difference.
Packages up to 150 pounds and 108 inches long are eligible for standard UPS shipping. Heavier items require freight service instead. Packages over 70 pounds, or ones with an unusual shape, may trigger an additional handling charge.
Keep your measurements and weight handy. You will enter both when creating the label in step three.
Step 2: choose a UPS service level
UPS Ground is the default choice for most nonurgent shipments. It delivers in one to five business days across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It is also the most affordable option UPS offers.
UPS offers a tiered set of air services for faster delivery. UPS 3 Day Select and UPS 2nd Day Air cover the middle ground. UPS Next Day Air delivers overnight for time critical shipments.
Each tier ships to slightly different destinations. Confirm coverage for Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico before choosing one. Our shipping cost comparison tool is worth checking before you commit to a service level.
Step 3: create and print your shipping label
Start a shipment on ups.com, either logged into your profile or as a guest. Enter your address in the ship from section. Enter the recipient’s address in the ship to section, then fill in the package details and pick the service level from step two.
Choose a payment method, then print the label. You can print at home on a standard or thermal printer. You can also finish the process at The UPS Store if you do not own a printer.
No printer at all is not a dealbreaker for how to ship a package UPS without one. Select the email QR code option during checkout. A UPS Store or participating Access Point can scan the code and print the label for you at drop off, a route covered fully in our guide on printing a UPS label without a printer.
Domestic air shipments need a label generated through an approved system like ups.com. A handwritten label will not scan correctly. Ground shipments need a to and from address label attached outside the box, plus a duplicate address label placed inside.
Step 4: package it correctly
Use a rigid box with its flaps intact. Stay under the weight limit printed on the box itself. Cushion the contents with bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled kraft paper so nothing shifts during transit.
Seal every seam with real shipping tape, at least two inches wide. UPS warns against masking tape, cellophane tape, and duct tape. None of them hold up during handling.
Remove or fully cover any old shipping labels on a box you are reusing. A leftover barcode can confuse a scanner and misroute your new shipment. Fragile or valuable items, like electronics or glass, often do better with the two box method, where a cushioned inner box sits inside a larger outer box.
Step 5: get your package to UPS
You have several realistic ways to hand off a labeled package. Each one fits a different volume of shipping and a different comfort level with driving to a location.
| Drop off option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The UPS Store | Full service help, packaging supplies, printing | Staff can pack and print for you on site |
| UPS Customer Center | Self service drop off, pre labeled packages | Fastest option if your label is already printed |
| UPS Access Point | Everyday errands, local retail locations | Convenience stores and other partner businesses |
| UPS drop box | Small, already labeled packages | Available 24 hours, check the posted pickup time |
Learn more about what an Access Point actually is and how it differs from a full UPS Store location. Hours vary by location, so confirm what time your nearest UPS closes before making a special trip.
Scheduling a pickup instead of dropping off
UPS will send a driver to collect your package for a per pickup fee if leaving the house is not convenient. Schedule a same day or future day pickup directly on ups.com. You can also call 1 800 PICK UPS to arrange one.
One pickup request covers every package you have ready that day. This applies regardless of how many boxes or service levels are involved. A residential surcharge applies on top of the base pickup fee, and an extra charge applies in rural or remote areas.
Confirm the current fee on ups.com before scheduling, since UPS adjusts these rates periodically. Businesses that ship often can set up a recurring pickup instead of paying per request. UPS Smart Pickup arrives only on days you confirm you have packages ready.
What to double check before you seal the box
Confirm the recipient’s address is complete, including any apartment or suite number. An incomplete address is one of the most common reasons a package gets delayed after pickup. Weigh your options against other carriers if the price feels high for what you are sending.
Check whether your item falls under a special handling category, like batteries, liquids, or anything flammable. Those items follow separate packaging rules. Some of them need a different service entirely.
These checks are the part most people skip when learning how to ship a package UPS for the first time. A minute spent here avoids a returned label or a rejected drop off later.
The bottom line
Knowing how to ship a package UPS well starts with getting the size and weight right. From there, match the service level to how fast you actually need it there. UPS Ground covers most nonurgent shipments at the lowest cost, while the air tiers exist for anything with a real deadline.
Create the label on ups.com, pack it properly, and choose whichever drop off or pickup option fits your day. The process takes longer to read about than it does to actually do once you have shipped a package or two.
