Shipping and Receiving

The personnel at Central Stores work closely with all shipping companies to assure that packages are received and distributed on campus in a timely manner. Packages are visually inspected to determine condition and then checked against university purchase orders, thus verifying arrival and allowing the billing process to begin.

With thousands of employees and hundreds of buildings and departments, it would be impossible to deliver a package addressed only to: The University of Akron. Unfortunately, this does occur from time to time. To assure correct delivery, Central Stores requests the following:

• Discuss with vendors the importance of correctly labeling packages.
• Assure that name, department, building, room#, and street address are included on shipping labels.
• If ordering by purchase order, the purchase order number should be included on the label.
• Whether an order is placed by credit card or purchase order, please list the person's name, department name, building, room number and street address on the label.

Assuring Smooth Delivery of Packages

All Packages and equipment should include the following information to assure a timely and correct delivery on campus.

  • The University of Akron
  • Street Address
  • Department Name
  • Building and Room Number
  • Person Name or Student's Name
  • City, State, Zip Code

All Student Packages should be shipped to Central Stores and addressed as follows:

  • Student's Name
  • The University of Akron
  • Residence Hall and Room#
  • 185 E. Mill Street
  • Akron, OH 44325

*Note: All student packages are then delivered and distributed from the entrance of Rob's Dining Hall.

Equipment

  • The University of Akron
  • 185 E. Mill St (Central Stores)
  • Ordering Department Name
  • Building and Room Number
  • Contact Name and Phone Number
  • City, State and Zip Code

Assistance with Packing

For shipping most packages, standard procedures may be followed.  All outgoing packages are to be sent to Central Stores ship ready with the proper paperwork filled out. The carpenter shop in Physical Facilities are responsible for the crating of large items. For more information, call Nicole Cook at x5251.

Returning Packages

  1. If the department is paying for the item to be returned, they must fill out a shipping document (located on______________’s website), and take it along with the package up to Docuzip in the Student Union (2nd floor). They will ship it out from there.
  2. If the vendor is paying for the item to be returned, the vendor must send a “call tag” to the department to be put on the box for return. (This is a label that they send for the cost of the item being returned).Once the label has been received and put on the box, it is to be brought down to Central Stores for pick-up.
  3. All large freight orders are to be shipped out from either Central Stores dock, or directly from the department (if possible). A bill of lading must accompany the freight with proper information already filled out (including the weight of the item and whoever’s paying for the shipping). All packaging/crating of the item is the department’s responsibility.
  4. Outgoing items with a prepaid label can also be brought down to Central Stores for pick-up.
  5. If the package is on a Purchase Order, the requestor contacts the Purchasing Department who then contacts the vendor for authorization to return the item. Purchasing department and the vendor will make the necessary arrangements to replace the damaged goods.
  6. If the materials are damaged by the requestor, (if on a Credit Card) and need to be returned, the requester must make arrangements with vendor: ( i.e.)
  • The requestor is responsible for all charges incurred for returned shipments.
  • A University of Akron shipping form, obtained at Central Stores, must be completed and accompany all items to be returned.
  • UPS is the dedicated shipping services used by Central Stores. FEDX, FEDX GROUND, AB/DHL and UPS will pick up with an account number for third party billing.

*Note: The University only returns packages under 150 lbs. via UPS. All other carriers (FedEx, DHL etc…) must be done by the individual department using their own account.

If an item is being shipped via motor freight, the procedure is as follows.

  • A shipping document must be filled out and accompany all materials to be returned.
  • If the shipment cost is to be incurred by the department, that information must be included on the shipping document.
  • If the shipping costs are to be paid by the receiving party, please indicate that on the shipping document.
  • Central Stores will make the arrangements with the motor freight company to pickup the shipment.
  • Please direct all questions to Nicole Cook at 330-972-5251.

      -If the department is paying for the item to be returned, they must fill out a shipping document (located on DocZIP’s website), and take it along with the package up to Docuzip in the Student Union (2nd floor). They will ship it out from there.

      -If the vendor is paying for the item to be returned, the vendor must send a “call tag” to the department to be put on the box for return. (This is a label that they send for the cost of the item being returned).Once the label has been received and put on the box, it is to be brought down to Central Stores for pick-up.

      -All large freight orders are to be shipped out from either Central Stores dock, or directly from the department (if possible). A bill of lading must accompany the freight with proper information already filled out (including the weight of the item and whoever’s paying for the shipping). All packaging/crating of the item is the department’s responsibility.

      -Outgoing items with a prepaid label can also be brought down to Central Stores for pick-up.

      *Note: The University only returns packages under 150 lbs. via UPS. All other carriers (FedEx, DHL etc…) must be done by the individual department using their own account.