You can’t talk about many variants of soccer without mentioning the soccer ball. It is usually an object of fascination. Soccer balls are manufactured in many regions around the world and sometimes they need to be sent from one region to another.
Soccer balls are highly demanded commodities and to satisfy demand with supply, they are often mailed in bulk to parts of the world where they are scarce. This requires a lot of work and processing which is why they are often very expensive.
For instance, soccer balls need to go through numerous processes before they can successfully be transported from the factory to the market. You can also send a soccer ball as a present through mail to faraway friends when you can’t deliver it to them personally.
Whatever the case might be, mailing a soccer ball from one location to another might appear to be a complex and perplexing task.
However, it is not as difficult as it looks if you are aware of the various mailing alternatives and options available to you as well as how to properly prepare a soccer ball for shipment.
This post will teach you how to mail a soccer ball in the most efficient way possible. It will also educate you on how to properly package soccer balls for shipment, no matter the quantity or distance of the addressee.
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How to mail a soccer ball?
Mailing a soccer ball to a customer or a friend whether locally or abroad can often be a daunting task if you are a novice to the whole concept of mailing.
These days, people prefer ordering stuff for their friends online instead of using mailing services, this is usually because ordering materials online is more effortless and stress-free.
Even if you are going on a holiday and would like to travel with the soccer ball on an airplane to deliver it to your friend, it will save you a lot of stress to know how to package it properly with your other luggage.
Mailing a soccer ball is not that difficult. All that is required of you is to prepare the components needed to box the ball, package the ball properly, then mail it using your preferred mailing service.
The following items are required to mail a soccer ball:
Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Please follow the instructions below to prepare balls for mailing.
Step 1: Select a Box
Use a strong box large enough to properly accommodate the soccer ball you are mailing. This way, you will have enough space to provide padding and keep the soccer ball from moving.
If you are reusing an old box, make sure you remove or hide any existing logos, barcodes, delivery labels, or previous addresses on the box.
When selecting boxes for packaging, stick to boxes that are proportionate with the soccer ball to avoid incurring extra fees because larger boxes usually attract extra charges during shipment.
Packaging boxes are usually available in different sizes and you can purchase them at your local post offices or order them online.
Some mailers and postal services provide complimentary boxes to their customers. In this scenario, you do not need to purchase the box because they are provided for free.
All you have to do is to go to your local mail station and pick up the free packaging box and other packaging supplies available.
For example, if you want to send mail or goods through FedEx, you may select from a variety of free, fully prepared self-sealing packaging in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be purchased in-store or online at FedEx’s website.
However, if your preferred post office does not provide free boxes or when you are not satisfied with the ones they offer you, you can personally purchase the boxes of your choice wherever you like.
Step 2: Package the soccer ball
Put your soccer ball into the preferred box. The box should be able to cover the soccer ball completely (inflated or deflated) so that when you close the lid of the box it is not pressing on the ball. It is advisable to deflate it before sending—although it is not compulsory.
Fill the empty spaces in the box with foam sheets to absorb any shock that may arise during the transition. The foam sheet will also prevent the ball from rubbing against the packaging box which may potentially lead to scratching.
If you are providing a ball pump and a pack of additional needles, or any other items, make sure they are correctly arranged together with the ball in the box.
Add cushioning materials such as bubble papers, wrap, or packing peanuts as much as required to protect the content of the box, then seal or tape the box securely with packing tape so that it shuts flat on all sides.
Use packing tape to properly secure the top and bottom covers or flaps to prevent the box from opening during shipment. Other than packing tape, do not use strings, cables, twine, or anything similar material to secure the box.
Also, make sure that the packed box has nothing loose hanging from it since it can get caught in the sorting machine and wreck the package.
Many things are restricted or outlawed from being mailed. If you have any doubts concerning mailing soccer balls, see the mailing service provider’s restricted and forbidden products list.
Step 3: Make sure to correctly address your package
Address labels should be properly written or printed in the right format. The format of a box’s address is the same as that of an envelope.
You may use labeling stickers or just put the address on the package. Use non-smearing ink to ensure that the address remains readable as it is being transported to its destination.
Include a return address as well as your recipient’s zip code ideally on the same side of the box. If you are going to write the address directly on the package, be sure to use a permanent marker or something similar.
Step 4: Weigh and measure your package
Before you can ship any product, you must pay for the appropriate postage, which requires precise size and weight data.
After an inspection officer at the post office has opened and properly inspected the package, they will accurately reseal it. Subsequently, another postal worker at the retail counter will weigh and measure the parcel to calculate how much postage charge you should pay.
They will also check the status of the package to ensure that it is in a good condition. Make sure to inquire about the cost of confirmation numbers, since they may incur additional charges depending on your mailing method.
Step 5: Attach or apply the stamp or postage to the box
After your box has been properly weighed and measured, you may now proceed to pay the required postage charge demanded of you.
You can pay your postage fee online and attach the print-out to your package so that you can take it to the post office ready to go.
UPS clients, for example, may pay for postage online and print the labels to affix to their goods. If you print your postage on standard paper, wrap it completely with transparent tape so it does not become too wet to see or scan.
Apply the postage to the package in a conspicuous area. Postage is always applied in the top-right corner, but this might change for packages.
The postage label should have a barcode that can be read when scanned throughout its route to its intended destination, so make sure it is clear enough to be scanned by computers.
Step 6: Hand your box over to the postal worker at the retail counter
If the box you used to package the soccer ball is more than 0.5 inches thick or weighs more than ten ounces, you need to take it to a Postal Service retail counter to ship it. You may also buy stamps at the Postal Service Self-Service Terminal and put your item in the lobby parcel slot.
The postal worker at the desk will validate that the item was correctly packaged and that the appropriate postage is applied. The package will then be scanned and processed for delivery. They can also offer you a transaction confirmation or receipt.
Step 7: Obtain a tracking number
You can follow the package’s progress using its tracking information. The tracking number is useful data used in following the gradual progress of a mailed package, checking its status, or even confirming if it has been delivered or not.
If you need to certify that the package was received by its intended destination, you can obtain signature confirmation from the recipient.
Priority Mail, Priority Express, DHL, and many other mail service providers all offer free tracking information at the beginning of each shipment.
The tracking information on a parcel shipped through First-Class Mail or Retail Ground may incur additional charges. However, monitoring the status of your package has a way of making you feel more relaxed and confident in the mailing process.
How to select a mailing method for your soccer ball?
Selecting a suitable postal service provider is one of the most crucial aspects of mailing a soccer ball. When deciding between the various options available, you should examine the cost of delivery, the time of delivery, and a variety of other important factors.
If you want to mail a soccer ball faster than the methods indicated above, you might consider utilizing a premium plan.
Express Mail
Use Express Mail for the quickest delivery. The Express Mail Express delivery option is the costliest, but it is also the quickest and comes with a money-back guarantee.
It is the USPS’s equivalent of next-day delivery, arriving in one to two business days. It also provides flat rate boxes, which allow you to send anything that fits as long as it weighs less than 32 kilograms (70 pounds).
Express Mail also offers an accelerated service that guarantees delivery the following day. Express Mail also includes some money for insurance coverage, proof of delivery, and tracking information.
It is important to note that Express Mail frequently has a distinct pick-up and drop-off schedule to reach its destination on time. To confirm the drop-off time, call the local post office or check online.
Priority Mail
Priority Mail mandates you to pay a set of charges regardless of your package’s weight. It has a delivery period of one to two working days and comes with free tracking, boxes, and envelopes.
This mailing option provides several “flat rate” boxes, which implies that if the product fits inside the normal USPS box, the weight is irrelevant. This might save you the trouble of weighing the item and ensuring that you add the appropriate postage.
You can have your package mailed to your home or business premises directly or you can go to the post office and pick it up after it has been delivered.
Retail Ground
For a cost-effective delivery option, select “Retail Ground.” It is the profitable method of mailing a soccer ball through the USPS. It is, however, the slowest, with a delivery time of two to eight working days. Sometimes, your package may take up to fourteen working days to arrive via Retail Ground.
The maximum package weight for mailing by Retail Ground is about 32 kilograms (70 pounds). If timing is not an issue for your delivery, Retail Ground is an excellent choice.
First-Class Mail
First-Class mail shipping is an inexpensive option to send a lightweight package fast. Parcels weighing less than 13 ounces are acceptable (370 g).
Packages are delivered within one to three business days, and the USPS provides insurance for loss or damage.
You may also include extra services, such as delivery confirmation, which allows you to track your product as it travels to its destination. Because of their modest weight and durability, padded envelopes are ideal for sending First-Class Mail.
If you are sending your soccer ball through this method, deflating it will be your best option.
Conclusion
Mailing soccer balls might seem like a daunting task, but if you follow the directions in this article, you will find it simple. Soccer balls can serve as a fantastic gift, especially when gifted to a soccer fan with their beloved team’s logo on it.
Receiving a soccer ball via mail is not just a lovely gesture, it also expresses care, likeness, and friendship at its peak.
Soccer is a game that offers more joy than pain to soccer lovers all over the world. So, mailing balls can also be a way of sharing joy and happiness.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!