U.S. Postal Service Tips for a Mailing Gift Cards

Pointers to Prevent Packaging Problems

December 13, 2010 



CLEVELAND — Sometimes finding that special gift is difficult and a gift card fits the bill. For those settling on mailing gift cards, the U.S. Postal Service has added a special Priority Mail Flat Rate Gift Envelope to its lineup of flat-rate mailing products.

If you’re mailing gift cards, and don’t select the Priority Mail option, here are some packing tips:

  • Consider using a padded envelope.
  • Select an envelope that is strong enough to hold the card or attach the gift card to a thin piece of cardboard. 
  • Place an extra label or notice on the gift card with the delivery or return address; this ensures the safe return should the outside label become damaged or fall off.

The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:
Dec. 15 — Parcel Post
Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 — Priority Mail
Dec. 22 — Express Mail

Measuring 10" x 7", the Priority Mail Flat Rate Gift Mailing Envelope is available at most Post Office retail counters nationwide or can be ordered for free at usps.com. Each envelope is decorated with a holiday-themed bow, and includes a convenient slot inside for securing gift cards. Available for expedited delivery service to domestic addresses at $4.95, the flat-rate Gift Mailing Envelope also makes a great way to send oversized greeting cards to friends and family members during the busiest gift-giving time of year.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Visit the Postal Service’s holiday press room at usps.com/holidaynewsroom.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.

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