MANCHESTER, NH — While the flakes are in the forecast in parts of the country, it’s the flurry of packages that rings in the holidays closer to home. To help with the hustle of the season, the Manchester South Post Office will open its doors for package pick-up only on the three Sundays leading up to Christmas Day — Dec. 7, 14 and 21. No retail services will be available. 

Customers with a Postal Service delivery-attempted notice in ZIP Code 03102 and 03103 can visit the Manchester South Post Office, located at 7 Perimeter Road, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. starting this Sunday.

Postal officials note that weekend pickups, including Sundays, can be quicker with one less line for busy area consumers. 

During Holiday 2013, the Postal Service delivered 434 million packages and 6.4 billion pieces of First-Class Mail across the nation. Due to continued e-commerce growth and improvements to the Priority Mail product line, the Postal Service is expecting double-digit growth in its package business this holiday season, likely in the range of 450 to 470 million packages. That equates to roughly 12 percent growth over the same period last year.

Improved Priority Mail tracking and text alerts introduced this year are important enhancements to the free insurance, free tracking and date-specific delivery introduced last year.

For expected delivery of holiday mail and packages by Christmas, the Postal Service recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:

• Dec. 2 – First-Class Mail International/Priority Mail International
• Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International
• Dec. 15 – Standard Post
• Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed¹
• Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail/Priority Mail (domestic)
• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (domestic)

¹“Mail-by date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance. Allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major international cities.”

Editor’s Note:
New Postal Service HOLIDAY NEWSROOM is now available

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm. A complete list of the holiday shipping deadlines can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

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