Holiday Shopping Shipping Deadlines Changes Announced
The moment Halloween ended people went right into Christmas shopping mode. I personally think it is too soon to see Christmas decorations all over the stores but if it makes you happy you can start decorating on November 1st.
I am not the one to get stressed about Christmas shopping but I know my wife gets the shopping done as soon as possible. To help everyone this is my gift to you all:
According to ABC Action News, the U.S. Postal Service released mailing deadlines and some shipping changes you need to know so you can get prepared EARLY.
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Christmas to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses.
- Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP codes) USPS Retail Ground Service
- Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-class mail
- Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP codes) Priority Mail and First-class mail services
- Dec. 14 — USPS Retail Ground Service
- Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Service
- Dec. 20 — First-class mail service (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 20 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 21 — Priority mail service
- Dec. 21 — Priority mail epxress service
Alaska
- Dec. 18 — Alaska to mainland first-class mail service
- Dec. 19 — Alaska to mainland priority mail service
- Dec. 21 — Alaska to mainland priority mail express service
Hawaii
- Dec. 19 — Hawaii to mainland priority mail and first-class mail services
- Dec, 21 — Hawaii to mainland priority mail express service
The Postal Service says, for safety reasons, this year you can no longer drop off stamped packages that are more than one-half inch thick and/or that weigh more than 10 ounces into the blue collection boxes, building mail chutes or Post Office mail slots. That means packages that use individual stamps as postage. USPS says you must go to a retail counter or use the self-service kiosk (SSK) to purchase a postage label.
“If you opt to use the SSK, to buy a postage label, you can drop off your package in the package slot, not the mail slot, at a Post Office. If a restricted package is found in a collection box, mail chute or lobby mail slot it will be returned to sender. Mail that is returned will have a Customer Return Label attached explaining the restrictions and reason for return.” – USPS
There you have it folks. I hope this helps relieve some stress. On the bright side, you know if you do last minute shopping you have up until December 21st to get those gifts out the door! My thoughts and prayers go out to those working for the postal service, they will be extremely busy… More than they already are… Be patient this season and thank those out there day in and day out delivering packages to you and your loved ones.