Postal Service offers guide to mailing season’s greetings
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With 16.5 billion cards, letters and packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the U.S. Postal Service has shipping tips to help make sure gifts are delivered promptly and safely during the holiday season.
“The Postal Service is making it easier to ship packages to family and friends for the holidays — be it online at usps.com or by visiting your local post office,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, domestic products. “And remember, proper addressing and packaging will ensure every gift receives the service it deserves.”
“Why not try the simpler way to ship this year by sending your holiday joy in one of our Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes? With Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, you get a combination of value and convenience,” said Reblin. “One low rate to any state, with no calculating of postage or weighing necessary. If it fits, it ships.”
“Customers who mail online with usps.com/click-n-ship qualify for a discount on priority mail and express mail,” adds Reblin. “The more you ship, the more you save. And when a package is ready to be shipped, log on to usps.com/pick-up to schedule free package pickup right from your home or office. Skip the trip and do all of your shipping online.”
For customers needing sturdy, secure boxes, bubble wrap, mailing tubes, tape, envelopes and even greeting cards, post offices nationwide offer ReadyPost, the Postal Service’s exclusive line of pre-packaged shipping products.
Other helpful mailing tips from “The Official Shipper” of the holidays include how to get free supplies and services, reminders of shipping basics and addressing guidelines.
Never guess a ZIP code. No ZIP is better than a wrong ZIP. Find the correct ZIP code at usps.com “Look Up a ZIP Code” or by calling 800-ASK-USPS.
“Following these simple mailing tips helps the Postal Service meet our customer expectations and ensures a positive experience from beginning to end,” said Susan LaChance, vice president consumer industry and affairs.
The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure gifts arrive on time:
• Dec. 3 for military mail destined for Afghanistan;
• Dec. 10 for military mail for other overseas bases;
• Dec. 15 for parcel post, the most economical shipping service;
• Dec. 20, first-class mail;
• Dec. 21, priority mail; and
• Dec. 22, express mail.
Due to security requirements, packages bearing postage stamps and weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented to an employee at the retail counter of a post office and cannot be dropped in blue collection boxes.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Find more holiday tips and information at usps.com/holiday/welcome.htm.
