More than 19 billion cards, letters and packages are expected to be mailed and shipped between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“This is our busiest season,” said Freda Sauter, Postal Service spokeswoman for the Eastern Region. “If you want your holiday mail to reach its destination before Christmas Day, you want to get it in the mail soon.”
A priority for many families will be mailing packages to loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan before Christmas. The Postal Service recommends gifts be mailed by this Thursday, while FedEx offers to help customers until Dec. 19. UPS takes a little more time and asks that customers allow eight business days between shipment and desired arrival in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The Postal Service is offering a $2 discount on the largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail Box for packages to APO/FPO military address overseas. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any post office, or can be ordered online at usps.com. The contents can be any weight for $10.95 with the discount. “If it fits, it ships,” Sauter said.
For domestic shipments, the Postal Service expects to process 960 million cards and letters that will be sent on Dec. 15 — the anticipated busiest mailing day of the holiday season. Dec. 17 is expected to be the busiest delivery day.
With that date in mind, carrier services are urging people to ship before Dec. 15 or 16, because customers will face higher shipping rates the closer it gets to Christmas, as the only options will be express or priority.
FedEx encourages people to use FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery before Dec. 16 as the most cost-effective delivery. For last-minute shoppers, the last day to ship with FedEx Express is Dec. 23 for delivery scheduled before Christmas.
Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds and measure up to 130 inches in combined length and width, according to the Postal Service.
About 826 million pieces of mail are processed daily during the holidays, according to UPS.
Mail your packages on time
The U.S. Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives before Christmas:
Dec. 4 — Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 — Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 — Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 — Priority Mail
Dec. 23 — Express Mail
