Wrapping packages in brown paper makes the package unacceptable for UPS shipping. The Post Office may charge you a "non-machineable surcharge" for using brown paper on your box.

What is the problem with wrapping brown paper around a box?

1. Brown paper is subject to tearing. Because UPS, as well as the Post Office, has automated sorting facilities with long conveyor belts in the "hubs," your package may be moving along the conveyor belt with packages up to 150 pounds right next to it. If your package gets banged along the way, the paper is subject to being torn. If this continues to happen along the belt, UPS might have a box at the end of the line with no brown paper wrap, and therefore no label either. They will not know where to ship the box and it ends up in the lost and found pile.

2. People often think that brown paper adds strength to the box. It does not. You might try to wrap a shoe box in brown paper, thinking it will make the trip with that outer protection. See explanation 1 above for why this is not a good idea.

3. People think that if the box says something like "Huggie Diapers" on the outside that it will interfere with the sorting and delivery process. The markings on the package are irrelevant to the sorting system. The only important part of the box is the shipping label. As long as there are no other shipping labels (i.e., from the box being shipped previously) on the outside of the box, or any other bar codes, there will not be any issues with sorting and delivering your package. Simply cover up or completely mark out any bar codes on the outside of the box. Use blank labels or black permanent marker to cover these items.

Items must be in a corrugated box for shipping. If you try to ship in a shoe box, a heavily used box, or any other non-corrugated container, you will likely be offered repackaging service to properly protect your items for shipment.