SIERRA VISTA — The holidays are approaching fast.

For those who are sending packages off to loved ones, local packing and shipping experts have some tips that could save time, money and stress.

“Think small and ship early,” advises Adam Berns who, with his father, Ted, owns the UPS stores in Sierra Vista and on Fort Huachuca.

It’s the size or volume of the package, rather than the weight, that usually determines the shipping cost.

“UPS has recently switched to a shape-based pricing system,” Berns said. “So the smaller the box, the better it is for the customer. All major shippers are now going with dimensional weight.”

It’s important to keep shipping deadlines in mind, especially when packages are going to troops overseas.

“The longer you wait to ship, the fewer and more expensive your shipping options become,” Berns warns.

The earliest deadline for the the postal service is the one for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Myra Ridgway, postmaster at the Sierra Vista post office. All holiday mail and packages going out to those areas need to be shipped by Dec. 4. Packages and holiday mail going to other parts of the world should be shipped by Dec. 11.

During peak holiday season, Berns said, any packages shipped UPS ground during December will have an estimated deliver date.

“For the majority of holiday shippers that are sending their items around mid-December, the UPS air shipping options would be a better choice, as all air services will have guaranteed delivery dates through December,” he said.

Using quality packaging materials will help gift items reach their destinations undamaged. Shipping experts do not recommend using newspaper or tissue paper, as they do not provide adequate protection from shock or vibration.

“When customers come into our UPS store, we’ll pack their items for them,” Berns said. “We use high quality bubble wrap, foam sheets and packing peanuts, as well as shipping rated boxes and packing tape.”

If a customer’s gifts are packed and shipped by trained packaging experts, those items are protected under the UPS Store’s “Pack and Ship Promise.”

“Under that protection, if items are damaged or lost, our customers will receive a full refund for the actual value of their gifts, along with the shipping and packaging charges,” Berns said. For information about the service, go to the Web site at theupsstore.com.

The absolute last possible shipping date for items to arrive in time for Christmas is Dec. 23, which means the customer would have to take advantage of overnight shipping. The UPS Store offers that service as late as 4 p.m. on Dec. 23.

HOLIDAY SHIPPING TIPS

The following information is provided by Army News Service:

The U.S. Postal Service’s Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes are the best value when shipping military members serving at home or anywhere overseas. The largest flat-rate box costs $10.95 to ship to an APO or FPO address, which is a $2 discount, and the boxes are free. The postal service also is offering a free military care kit designed for military families sending packages overseas. Call (800) 610-8734 and ask for the military care kit, which entitles the person to free priority mail boxes, tape and labels.

U.S. Postal Service Mail-by Dates:

• Dec. 4 —  Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan.

• Dec. 11 — Military mail to other international destinations.

• Dec. 16 — Parcel Post, the most economical service.

• Dec. 20 — First-class Mail

• Dec. 20 — Priority Mail

• Dec. 23 — Express Mail

For the other private parcel companies, visit their locations to determine dates for sending packages.

The UPS Store holiday packaging tips:

• Include a label on the inside of the package with both the destination address and package return address.

• Take batteries out of toys, electronics, etc. before shipping fragile items.

• Check with The UPS Store experts before shipping fragile items.

• Ship wrapped presents ahead to destinations, especially if traveling by air.

• Never wrap boxes in brown paper or tie with string.

• Don’t use materials like newspaper or real popcorn to package items.

• Don’t use old boxes or gift boxes for shipping gifts.

• Never use duct tape, masking tape, or cellophane tape to seal your boxes for shipping.

The U.S. Postal Service offers the following military addressing tips:

• Use the service member’s full name.

• Include the unit and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) addresses with the correct zip code.

• Include a return address.

• For packages, print on one side only. Place the recipient’s address in the lower right portion, or print a postage paid label online with Click-N-Ship service.