Shipping for college students
Shipping for college students
Use FedEx One Rate® to ship with FedEx 2-day® for as low as $9.75!*
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College shipping 101: Five tips for getting your student off to a great start
Heading off to college is a momentous milestone that can be both exciting—and a bit stressful. Let us help make the transition smoother for your student (and you) with a crash course on best practices for college shipping.
Tip 1: Double-check the dorm room shipping address.
Since most colleges and universities have multiple residence halls and thousands of students, be sure you have the correct and full shipping address for your assigned room. This will likely include the name of the dorm, a floor number, and a room number. The more accurate your shipping address, the more likely your shipment will arrive on time.
Since most colleges and universities have multiple residence halls and thousands of students,
be sure you have the correct and full shipping address for your assigned room. This will likely
include the name of the dorm, a floor number, and a room number. The more accurate your
shipping address, the more likely your shipment will arrive on time.
Tip 2: Take room dimensions into consideration.
Students often have to share dorm rooms or apartments, so spaces fill up fast. Be selective when deciding what to send with your student. You might even find it easier and cheaper to purchase some items in their college town. And you can always ship care packages with any items they need. For packing help, head to a FedEx Office location.
Students often have to share dorm rooms or apartments, so spaces fill up fast. Be selective
when deciding what to send with your student. You might even find it easier and cheaper to
purchase some items in their college town. And you can always ship care packages with
any items they need. For packing help, head to a FedEx Office location.
Tip 3: Plan ahead to avoid duplicate items.
Make sure your student coordinates with their roommate(s) so they don’t double up on items like microwaves, mini fridges, or rugs. And check with your school to find out if they supply any small appliances. You’ll also want to know what items (e.g., dishes and cleaning tools) will be available in common areas.
Make sure your student coordinates with their roommate(s) so they don’t double up
on items like microwaves, mini fridges, or rugs. And check with your school to find out if they
supply any small appliances. You’ll also want to know what items (e.g., dishes and cleaning
tools) will be available in common areas.
Tip 4: Ship early, before an assigned move-in date.
Many colleges and universities assign a narrow time window to move into a dorm or on-campus apartment. Avoid tricky timing for shipping to a dorm by shipping up to 7 days in advance and having items held at a FedEx Office location or participating retailer. You can pick them up on move-in day—and stock up on school supplies.* Depending on availability, you can even rent or purchase a dolly to help you haul those heavy boxes.
Many colleges and universities assign a narrow time window to move into a dorm or on-
campus apartment. Avoid tricky timing for shipping to a dorm by shipping up to 7 days in
advance and having items held at a FedEx Office location or participating retailer. You can
pick them up on move-in day—and stock up on school supplies.* Depending on availability, you can even rent or purchase a dolly to help you haul those heavy boxes.
Tip 5: Decide what needs to be shipped back home.
When the dust settles, your student might end up with some things they don’t need or that don’t fit into their space. Have them use one of our budget-friendly shipping options for shipping from college to home. And if they need a little help packing their items, they can take them to a FedEx Office location where one of our packing pros will do it for them.
When the dust settles, your student might end up with some things they don’t need or that
don’t fit into their space. Have them use one of our budget-friendly shipping options for
shipping from college to home. And if they need a little help packing their items, they can
take them to a FedEx Office location where one of our packing pros will do it for them.
*Some FedEx Office locations have weight limits for packages that can be held for pickup. Find a location you’d like to use and
check with them for more details.
*Some FedEx Office locations have weight limits for packages that can be held for pickup. Find a location you’d like to use and check with them for more details.
College shipping services: A reliable supply line to your student
Get peace of mind knowing you can get your student what they need when they need it. Choose from some of our most common services based on your budget and how fast you need your items delivered.
| If you need to ship… | With delivery in… | Choose… |
| Several boxes of supplies, bedding, clothing, or large, bulky items like monitors or bicycles | 1–5 business days in the contiguous U.S., and 3–7 days to Alaska and Hawaii | FedEx Ground® |
| A few forgotten items like chargers, personal items, or books | 2 business days | |
| Urgent or time-sensitive items like registration paperwork, glasses, or ID cards | 1 day | FedEx overnight shipping |
Did you know? FedEx Ground is a low-cost shipping service that delivers to businesses—including university and college mail rooms—and is faster to more locations than UPS Ground.
Did you know? FedEx Ground is a low-cost shipping service that delivers to
businesses—including university and college mail rooms—and is faster to more
locations than UPS Ground.
Study up on how to pack
Getting ready to do some serious shipping to your college student? Use these tips to help you earn an A+ in packing.
Tip 1: Make their care package more personal.
If you send your student a care package, include some items that will make them smile. Send a framed photo, a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant, or some of their favorite snacks. And don’t forget a handwritten note with a word of encouragement.
Just remember that you can't send liquids, including laundry detergents or personal care items, through our ground services.
Tip 2: Protect the item you’re shipping.
Secure your item inside the box with packing materials, such as packing paper, bubble wrap, or even thick clothing items. Make sure there’s not extra space that will allow your item to move around and potentially get damaged or broken.
Tip 3: Choose a box that’s the right size.
If you choose a box that’s too small, it could rip or burst at the seams no matter how much tape you use. And if you choose a box that’s too big, you’ll need extra packing materials to keep your item from moving around and getting damaged in transit. A box that’s too big can also lead to unnecessary higher shipping costs.
Tip 4: Tape your box properly.
Use a heavy-duty packing tape to make sure the box stays sealed, any packing materials remain inside, and your item stays secure.
Get more tips and learn about boxes, packing supplies, and shipping services that can help you easily connect with your college student.
Get more tips and learn about boxes, packing supplies, and shipping services
that can help you easily connect with your college student.
Check out FedEx Office for a variety of standard box sizes that can be used to ship everything from bedding to backpacks. You’ll also find specialty boxes for items like bikes, electronics, and monitors.
Check out FedEx Office for a variety of standard box sizes that can be used to
ship everything from bedding to backpacks. You’ll also find specialty boxes for
items like bikes, electronics, and monitors.
Sending a package doesn't have to be a hassle. You or your student can bring us the items to be shipped, and we'll take it from there. Quick and easy.
Sending a package doesn't have to be a hassle. You or your student can bring
us the items to be shipped, and we'll take it from there. Quick and easy.
FedEx Delivery Manager® is the right answer.
Let your student know they can use our FedEx Delivery Manager app to take more control over any packages they receive. They can track them, get delivery alerts and notifications, and even request that they be held for pickup at a nearby FedEx location or other participating retailer.
How to ship specialty items to college
Some items are trickier to ship than others, and when possible, it's easier to have it shipped to your student from the retailer instead of doing it yourself. But if you do need to ship a specialty item, no worries. Use our how-to guides to help you prep and ship with confidence.
