SALT LAKE CITY – The Postal Service estimates it will deliver 420 million packages this holiday season – a 12 percent increase over last year. Postal officials in Utah forecast a similar surge in packages, and encourage Utahns to start a new holiday tradition by shipping packages from the comfort of their home or business using the Postal Service’s website.

“It’s as easy as making an online purchase, and you can do it at midnight in your pajamas, if you’d like,” said USPS Salt Lake District Manager Jimmy Wolf. “Shipping online at usps.com will not only save Utahns up to 11 percent off Post Office retail prices, but time and gas as well – all traditionally in short supply during the holidays. Free Priority Mail flat rate boxes and Free Package Pickup make online shipping a snap.”

Whether sending a package, letter, or a greeting card, Wolf reminds Utahns to pay close attention to holiday mailing deadlines, which are rapidly approaching.

Holiday cards and packages destined for military addresses in Afghanistan should be in the mail no later than Dec. 3. The mail-by date for all other military addresses is Dec. 10. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the USPS offers a $2 discount on its largest Priority Mail flat rate boxes.

For international destinations, mail-by dates range from Dec. 2 to Dec. 12 depending on the destination, with Global Express Guaranteed service available through Dec. 18 for most countries (Dec. 19 if mailing to Canada).

Suggested mail-by dates for cards and packages destined for U.S. addresses are: Dec. 14 for Standard Post; Dec. 20 for First-Class Mail, Dec. 21 for Priority Mail, and Dec. 23 for Priority Mail Express.

Monday, Dec. 16 is projected to be the busiest mailing day of the year and Dec. 19 the busiest delivery day for packages. Some features added to Priority Mail this year include free insurance up to $50, improved tracking, and an expected delivery date.
 
Many Post Offices now offer greeting cards and gift cards – the single most requested holiday gift. Need holiday stamps? Ask your carrier for a Stamps-by-Mail form, buy online at usps.com, or by phone at 1-800-STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724).

Tips for Holiday Mailing and Shipping

• Confirm addresses. Print addresses clearly and be sure to include all address elements — apartment numbers, suite numbers and directional information for streets. For example: 123 S Main St. or 12456 Elm St. N. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side. Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit usps.com to find all ZIP Codes, buy stamps, and more.
• Choose the Right Box. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Be careful when reusing boxes – they can weaken in the shipping process. Customers can purchase ReadyPost boxes at a local Post Office or at the Postal Store on usps.com. Priority Mail boxes, envelopes and tubes are free.

• Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Popped popcorn in a bag is an eco-friendly cushion for fragile gifts. Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit. Always use tape that is designed for shipping. Do not use wrapping paper or string, as they can become entangled in mail processing equipment. .

• Use envelopes. Lightweight paper folded into a self-mailer can cause problems for automated mail processing machines. Customers are encouraged to place such letters into an envelope before mailing. Those wanting to fold their greetings into a self-mailer should bring a sample to the Post Office to ensure it meets mailing standards.
• Send gift cards in a padded envelope. Avoid putting several photographs or gift cards in an envelope with your holiday card. It makes the envelope less flexible to go through the postal system. It’s best to send additional items in a separate, padded envelope.

To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, send cards and packages no later than the mailing dates listed below.

Domestic Mailing Deadlines

* Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22-25

International Mailing Deadlines

Military Mailing Deadlines

1 PMEMS is available to selected military /diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

2 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for Standard Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3 SAM parcels are paid at Standard Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

Use the Military Care Kit to Send Presents and/or Care Packages

With Priority Mail supplies as the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a free “Military Care Kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit contains:, Two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes, Priority Mail tape, address labels, and customs forms. To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm.

Addressing the Package

1. Write out the service members full name in the address.
2. Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned). For example:

CPT JOHN DOE
UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
APO AP 96278-2050
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
USCGC HAMILTON
FPO AP 96667-3931

3. Include a return address.

###

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

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.

Follow the Postal Service on twitter.com/USPS and at facebook.com/USPS.