Mailing Rubbermaid Totes

We're still on vacation.  Today, we made our second shipment of totes to Alaska this summer.  While in Indiana we only shipped 5, but today in Wisconsin, we shipped 14.   Standard parcel post is the way to go.

Since we live on an island, our options to get things there are either via barge from Seattle, checked baggage, by putting them into a vehicle and taking a trip using the Alcan Highway followed by by a ferry ride from Homer, or using the post office method.  The last option has been the most successful method thus far.

So if you are in a similar predicament and want to ship some things, here are some tips.

• Buy Rubbermaid Roughneck Totes.  NOT Sterilite brand containers(they do not hold up and crack under tough conditions).  We use the 18 gallon ones.  If you are unsure check the post office website guidelines for measurements.
• Fill the totes.  Keep it below 70 pounds.
• Drill holes along the edge of the lip of the container once filled (see picture). We put three holes on lengthwise, followed by two holes on each handle.
• Invest in zip ties.  Put zip ties through holes, cut excess zip tie slack.
• Once the zip ties are cut, melt the razor sharp raw edges (the freshly snipped edges of the zip ties).  We used a lighter but a vehicle cigarette lighter would have been effective too--if you don't mind running the risk of leaving plastic residue on the heating element.  (this shipment was the first time we tried this and neither of us received cuts on our hands or forearms this time around--last time we both had slices any place the zip ties had raked our skin).
• Label tote with address, a permanent marker and duct tape is helpful.
• If you have books, separate them, put them in one container and use Media Mail.  The delivery rate for books is half the price.  Just don't sneak anything else in the book tote or face extra charges if caught.

Rubbermaid Roughneck totes packed, secured, and labeled sitting at the post office waiting to be processed.  What did it cost us?  About $560 for 14 totes, with each container ranging from 40-61 pounds.  The five totes sent from Indiana containing only clothing only set us back $118.  Depending on the weight, each tote will range in price.