What:

We are opening up one of our busiest Post Offices to show the kind of mail that will be delivered on our busiest day (Dec. 17)

Denver Area Post Offices are handling up to 11 million parcels this holiday season. Volumes have almost doubled from a decade ago and more than 9.5 percent over last year.

Nationwide, nearly 200 million packages are expected to be delivered during the busiest week – roughly 29 million packages each day.

On Monday, more than 7.5 million pieces of mail will be delivered in the Colorado and Wyoming area, including more than 1 million packages

The Lakewood Post Office is representative of more than 90 offices along the Front Range area. Visuals include semi’s unloading mail, clerks scanning packages with an overhead scanner, clerks sorting mail into carrier work areas, and carriers loading vehicles.

When:

Monday, December 17, from 4:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Who:

USPS Spokespeople David Rupert, Marcella Juarez-Rivera and Suzette Perry-Rogers.

Where:

Lakewood Post Office, 10799 W Alameda Ave Lakewood CO, 80215

HOLIDAY FACTS and INFORMATION

• Busiest MAILING, SHIPPING and DELIVERY WEEK — Dec. 17-23
• Nearly 16 billion total pieces of mail and packages are expected to be processed and delivered this holiday season — Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day
• The Postal Service is projecting more than 900 million packages will be delivered this holiday season (2017: 871 million | 2016: 750 million | 2015: 660 million)
• Nearly 200 million packages are expected to be delivered during the busiest week, and about the same the week prior
• More than 8 million packages are expected to be delivered each Sunday during the holiday season, beginning Nov. 25
• Nearly 2 billion pieces of mail, including greeting cards and packages, are expected to be processed and delivered during the busiest week
• Dec. 17 is expected to be the busiest day for usps.com with more than 8 million customers predicted to visit on that day alone | Nearly 5 million people on regular days

SUGGESTED MAIL-BY DATES

MILITARY

DEC. 11                                              DEC. 16
APO/FPO/DPO Priority Mail                  APO/FPO/DPO Priority Mail Express
& APO/FPO First-Class

DOMESTIC

DEC. 14                                              DEC. 19
USPS Retail Ground                             First-Class Mail Cards and Letters

DEC. 20                                              DEC. 22
Priority Mail                                         Priority Mail Express

For the complete list of domestic, military and international
mailing and shipping deadlines, go to
USPS.COM/HOLIDAYNEWS

TIPS TO AVOID A SHIPPING GLITCH

• Select a durable box to protect the contents. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes are free at local Post Offices
• Do NOT reuse boxes — they weaken in the shipping process
• Properly address packages. Include both “to” and “from” information and only on one side
• Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex: 123 S Main St. Apt. 2B)
• Never guess a ZIP Code. Look up a ZIP Code at usps.com under Quick Tools.  NO ZIP is better than a WRONG ZIP
• Place a card inside the package with delivery and return addresses. This helps postal employees deliver the item should the mailing label become damaged or fall off.
• Pay attention to batteries. In general, batteries should be securely packaged in the manufacturer’s original packaging. Items shipped with batteries installed that cause ticking, vibrations or other noises during transportation can be delayed due to security concerns. Lithium batteries are hazardous materials and are restricted by type, quantity and battery strength. Information about shipping batteries, including lithium batteries, is in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail, sec. 349.22,
• Leave space for extra cushioning inside and stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately

SKIP THE TRIP AND SHIP ONLINE

• Consumers don’t have to leave home to ship their packages, they can simply visit usps.com
• The Postal Service anticipates Dec. 17 will be the busiest day online with more than 8 million customers predicted to visit usps.com for help shipping holiday packages
• It’s estimated nearly 400,000 customers will use Click-N-Ship and other online services Dec. 17 to order free Priority Mail boxes, print shipping labels, purchase postage and even request free next-day Package Pickup from the mail carrier
• The Postal Service is predicting nearly 105 million customers will visit usps.com between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day
• And usps.com is always open!

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