How to read a shipping label
Reading a shipping label means finding where it is going, who paid, which service it is, and the tracking number. If you printed it, you also need to know what not to tape over.
The parts that matter
- To / From: recipient first. Confirm the ZIP. A swapped label is a lost package.
- Service: Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, UPS Ground, and so on. That is what you bought.
- Tracking number: usually near the barcode. Paste it into the carrier site or your Oshippy history.
- Barcode: the machine-readable postage. Keep it flat, dark, and uncovered. See what a shipping label is.
USPS vs UPS at a glance
USPS labels show USPS branding and typically a 20–22 digit tracking number on parcel services. UPS labels show the UPS shield and a different tracking format. If you compared both in Oshippy, attach the file for the carrier you actually paid.
Common attach mistakes
- Wrapping the barcode around a corner.
- Leaving an old Amazon barcode visible.
- Printing at 80% scale so the barcode shrinks.
- Using a smeared inkjet print in the rain without tape.
Print settings: how to print shipping labels at home.
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Frequently asked questions
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