Moving on Campus? Shipping Tips for Students and Parents

Moving away to attend college or university is an exciting milestone for many students, but the to-do list can quickly become overwhelming, especially if the move is across provinces or internationally. From packing and shipping belongings to organizing important documents, it is important to have a plan to make the process smoother. Whether you are sending boxes ahead of move-in day, mailing forgotten essentials during the semester, or celebrating graduation from afar, planning your shipments in advance can help save time and reduce unnecessary stress.

Below are some shipping tips for parents and students to consider before getting started.

Check The School’s Delivery Policies

Before you send anything, it is first important to determine how the school handles incoming shipments. Be sure to confirm:

• Whether packages should be sent to a specific locker, campus mailbox, or other area of campus
• The correct shipping address and postal/zip code
• If the campus accepts deliveries before move-in day
• Any restrictions related to how big a shipping container can be

Campus Shipping Tips for Students

Below are some tips for students keep in mind when shipping items directly to campus.

Determine What Should be Shipped

Moving from your home to a campus dorm can be quite an adjustment, especially if it means downsizing. Fortunately, shipping certain items can save you the hassle of trying to fit everything into a vehicle or your luggage.

Items that are often easier to ship can include:

• Clothing
• Small appliances approved by the residence
• Decorative items for the room
• Small furniture or storage organizers (if permitted by the residence)
• Books
• Sports equipment
• Bedding/towels

Shipping larger, heavier, or more fragile items can help free up valuable space during travel.

Label Everything Clearly

Whether you are shipping one box or several, clear labelling is one of the easiest ways to help make sure your belongings arrive at the right destination. On each package, include your full name, phone number, the residence hall, building, and room number (if applicable), and a brief description of the contents inside, such as “kitchen supplies” or “textbooks.”

Sending multiple boxes? Consider numbering your boxes so you know exactly what has arrived. Plus, by labelling, you can know what needs to be opened right away and what can wait.

Pack Boxes Properly with Necessary Shipping Protection

How you pack your belongings is especially important, as proper packing helps protect your items throughout the shipping process to reduce damage. For the best results:

• Choose sturdy, corrugated cardboard boxes that are not too small or large for the contents inside
• Wrap fragile items individually with protective packing materials like bubble wrap
• Fill empty spaces inside the box to prevent items from moving around
• Pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top

LEARN MORE: How to Choose the Right Packaging Fillers

Ship Items to Campus Early

Late summer/early fall is often a busy shipping period as students prepare to move into residences in the fall. Prepping to ship your belongings earlier can help reduce last-minute pressure and provide extra time in case there are any unexpected transit delays. However, be sure to confirm your residence will accept packages before move-in day. 

Add Tracking to Your Shipment

Tracking your shipment can provide peace of mind before your move-in date and help identify any unexpected delays while the packages are in transit. If available, choose a shipping option that includes tracking so you can monitor its progress and know when it is expected to arrive.

Campus Shipping Tips for Parents

Throughout the school year, there may be times when the student in your life needs additional belongings, replacements, or seasonal essentials from home. Having a shipping plan in place will help you respond quickly and make life on campus a little easier for the student in your life. Below are some tips to consider.

Ship Seasonal Items When Needed

Dorm rooms often have limited storage, so there’s no need to ship everything at once. Instead, consider shipping clothing and other essentials with the season and as needs evolve, such as winter coats, extra bedding, replacement school supplies, personal care items, etc.

Properly Pack Items in a Care Package & Gifts to Graduates

A thoughtful care package can mean a lot to the student in your life, especially if it’s their first time away from home. Similarly, sending a gift to celebrate a graduate’s accomplishments is a meaningful way to recognize this important moment.

When packing a care package or graduation gift, use a sturdy box and protective packing materials to help prevent items from shifting or becoming damaged during transit. If you are shipping a gift internationally, keep in mind that customs regulations and gift allowances may apply depending on the destination country. Be sure to complete any required customs forms accurately and review applicable requirements before sending your package. Additionally, The UPS Store cannot accept packages containing any form of food products destined for the U.S. at this time.

Printing and Sending Graduation Paperwork and Student Records

Students may need printed documents throughout their time away, such as graduation paperwork or their academic records. Having professionally printed documents or multiple copies of important documents can be helpful. The UPS Store provides high-quality printing, copying, and faxing for a variety of documents.

Need to send documents to family members, employers, schools, or other destinations? Our professional packaging and shipping services can help make sure they arrive safely and on time.

Move On Campus with The UPS Store

Our team is here to help with your packing and shipping needs. Check out our Packaging & Shipping service for domestic and international shipping options, and reach out to The UPS Store at a location near you to pick up packing and moving supplies in time for the big day.

Have questions about the services we offer? Be sure to check out our FAQ page, which outlines details about packaging, our Pack & Ship Guarantee, domestic/international shipping, and more.