Colorado Springs, CO — Nearly 200 million packages are expected to be delivered December 17—23 during the Postal Service’ busiest mailing and shipping week of the holiday season. The Postal Service anticipates delivering more than 16 billion total pieces of mail this holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, USPS expects to deliver more than 900 million packages, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the same period last year.

Holiday deadlines are fast approaching. Customers planning to mail cards and packages are encouraged to visit a local Post Office no later than the below dates for expected delivery by Dec. 25

• Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 20 – First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 20  –  Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 20 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 20  – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 22  – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22  – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express

*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days.

To handle the surge in volume, the Postal Service is expanding its Sunday delivery operations in select high package volume locations during the holiday season. More than 8 million packages are expected to be delivered each Sunday in December. Mail carriers will also deliver Priority Mail Express packages on Christmas Day for an additional fee in select locations.

 Wrap Up the Holidays from Home
Consumers don’t even have to leave home to ship their packages, they can simply visit usps.com..

Additional Tips
Informed Delivery is the Postal Service’s free daily digital preview of what’s coming to your mailbox. This holiday season, not only can you manage your packages and sneak a peek at cards headed your way, you can also see some exterior images of magazines and catalogs — all from your mobile app, dashboard, tablet or computer. Informed Delivery is one more way the Postal Service is helping you anticipate, communicate and celebrate this holiday season.

The Postal Service also offers shipping tips in 10 video “how to” guides. Each video is less than three minutes long and shows customers how to address packages, ship packages and pack a box so items arrive safely.

Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing, and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom: usps.com/holidaynews.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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