MANHATTAN, NY — As the U.S. Postal Service prepares for its busiest mailing day of the year, shoppers are scrambling to send their holiday gifts and cards in time for Christmas.
“For last-minute shoppers, the Postal Service offers quick, easy and convenient shipping choices,” says Elvin Mercado, Postmaster of the Big Apple.
The Postal Service expects to deliver 13.1 billion letters, packages and cards between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The busiest mailing day is expected to be Monday, Dec. 16, when 607 million cards and letters will be processed, nearly 100 million more than the average daily volume.
Locally, Mercado expects to handle 2.7 million letters and cards originating from the New York District in addition to 700,000 International letters and cards and the dedicated postal employee’s that provide service to New York City are up to the challenge.
“We know that customers are looking at options for shipping their holiday gifts, and the Postal Service offers a great combination of value and convenience,” says Mercado. “By going online customers can take care of their shipping needs right from their home computer.
On December 18, the busiest delivery day, New Yorkers can expect 3.2 million letters and cards reaching mailboxes.
It is also projected that in Manhattan and the Bronx over 2.5 million packages will be mailed during the week of Dec. 16-20.
Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes are available free at your local Post Office in five different sizes, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com, or by telephone at 1-800-STAMP-24. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using www.usps.com/clicknship.
“Our eco friendly Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes are the best bargain in shipping,” says the Postmaster. “If it fits, it ships, up to 70 pounds, to any destination in the United States. ” First-Class Mail® and Priority Mail® sent by Dec. 21 will arrive in time for Christmas.
The Postal Service provides a money-back guarantee for delivery by Christmas Day on Priority Express Mail® accepted by Dec. 23 for delivery within designated ZIP Codes. Gifts sent by Express Mail are automatically insured for $100. Free Express Mail packing boxes and envelopes are available online at www.usps.comand at your local Post Office.
“The easiest way to alleviate holiday stress this year is to do all of your shipping online at www.usps.com says Mercado. “You can print postage and shipping labels directly from your computer with Click-N-Ship. We offer discounts when you ship online, and you receive free USPS Tracking when you use Click-N-Ship. Plus, you can schedule free package pickup online as well, so you can take care of all of your shipping from your computer without ever leaving home.”
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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For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation: 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office 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. With more than 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world's mail. If it were a private-sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
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