How to Ship Your Console

How to Ship Your Switch

Thanks for choosing So-Cal Console Modding. Following these instructions exactly will get your console processed faster and keep your shipping costs down. Most shipping problems I see come from oversized boxes, missing order numbers, and excessive tape, all of which are easy to avoid.

Read this first: The single most important thing you can include is a piece of paper with your order number on it. Without it, your console sits in the queue until I can match it to an order, which delays your turnaround.

Step 1: Prep Your Console

These steps prevent annoying pop-up messages when you launch games after I return your console.

  1. If Automatic Save-Data Backups is enabled, disable it. Nintendo's instructions here.
  2. If your console is registered as a Pass-enabled (primary) console, deregister it. Nintendo's instructions here.
  3. Power off the console completely by holding the power button, selecting Power Options, then Power Off. Do not just put it to sleep.

Step 2: Write Your Order Number on a Piece of Paper

That is it. Just your order number. You can use a sticky note, a torn corner of an envelope, anything. Drop it in the box with the console.

SCCM ORDER
Order Number: ____________________________

If you have any questions, special requests, or concerns about your order, send me an email at socalconsolemodding@gmail.com with your order number in the subject line. Notes inside the box are easy to miss when I am working through the queue.

Step 3: What to Include (and What Not to Include)

Include

  • Your Switch console only
  • A piece of paper with your order number
  • An SD card inserted in the console if you want me to set up software on your existing card

Do Not Include

  • Joy-Cons (unless specifically ordered for service)
  • Dock or charging cables
  • Game cartridges
  • Cases, shells, or carrying cases
  • Loose SD cards in the package (must be inserted in the console)
  • Any personal accessories
About SD card software setup: Software setup is included in the install price. You get it if you either (a) insert your own SD card in the console before shipping, or (b) purchase an SD card with your order. If you ship the console without an SD card and did not buy one, I will install the hardware only. Loose SD cards in the package will not be used. They must be inserted in the console.

Stickers and already-installed screen protectors are fine to leave on.

Step 4: Get the Right Box

Box size matters more than people realize. An oversized box costs you more in shipping and adds risk because the console can shift around inside.

Recommended box size

The ideal size is roughly 9 x 6 x 2 inches. Boxes in the range of 10 x 6 x 4 inches also work fine. The small boxes that Amazon ships things in are usually right around this size.

Where to get one

Avoid: Shoeboxes, oversized Amazon boxes with the console floating in packing peanuts, or anything larger than roughly 12 x 8 x 4 inches. Big boxes get charged dimensional weight rates, which can double your shipping cost.
Do not use USPS Priority Mail boxes. Priority Mail can travel by air, and used electronics with installed lithium batteries are not allowed on aircraft. Use UPS Ground or USPS Ground Advantage instead. Details in Step 6.

Step 5: Pack the Console

1Wrap the console
Wrap the powered-off Switch in bubble wrap, packing paper, or even a clean grocery bag stuffed with more paper. Aim for a wrapped layer roughly as thick as the console itself, or wrap the console at least twice. If your wrap is bulky enough that it fills the box snugly, you usually do not need to tape it at all. If you do tape it, use a single small piece of scotch tape or one short strip of packing tape to hold the wrap in place. Do not use multiple wraps of packing tape on the wrapping itself.
2Place in the box
The wrapped console should fit snugly with minimal extra space.
3Add your order number
Drop in the piece of paper with your order number.
4Fill empty space
If there is any room for the console to shift, fill the gaps with more bubble wrap, packing paper, or grocery bags. The console should not move when you gently shake the box.
5Seal the box
Use packing tape on the outside seams only. Run one strip across each end (the short edges where the flaps meet) and one strip down the length of the box across the main seam. Three strips total. That is enough to hold the box closed in transit and still lets me open it without damaging the contents. Do not wrap the entire box in tape.
6Attach the label
Tape along each edge of the shipping label so it cannot snag or rip in transit. Do not cover the barcode with tape if you can avoid it.

Step 6: Ship It

Where to send it

So-Cal Console Modding
42215 Washington St Ste A PMB 230
Palm Desert, CA 92211
The Ste A PMB 230 line is required. Packages without it can get delayed or returned to sender.

Use ground shipping only

Because your Switch contains an installed lithium-ion battery, federal regulations require used electronics to ship by ground transportation only. Do not use any service that travels by air, including USPS Priority Mail.

UPS Ground (easiest)

No special markings or hazmat paperwork required for a single Switch with the battery installed. Just print a regular UPS Ground label and ship it.

USPS Ground Advantage

Required: write or print "Restricted Electronic Device" and "Surface Transportation Only" on the outside of the box. A marker on a clear spot of the box works fine. This marking is a USPS requirement for used electronics with lithium batteries.

Recommended shipping service

Use PirateShip.com for commercial shipping rates. It is free to sign up and saves 20 to 50 percent compared to retail post office prices. You will need to enter the box dimensions and weight, then pick a service.

  • Both UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage are fine for most shipments
  • Always pick a service with tracking
  • USPS includes $100 of insurance by default. Add more if you want it.

After You Ship

Once tracking shows your package was delivered, check the Track Your Order page using your order number. I usually pick up packages and update the queue within 24 to 48 hours, not counting weekends or holidays. If it has been more than 2 business days after delivery and your order is not in the queue, send me an email.

Questions?

If anything in these instructions is unclear, contact me before you ship: socalconsolemodding@gmail.com. It is much easier to answer a question up front than to fix a packing issue after the fact.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no additional cost to you.

Place Your Switch Order Here