SALT LAKE CITY — The Postal Service in Utah is forecasting to deliver a record 5.4 million packages this holiday season, a 20 percent increase compared to last holiday season, and nearly twice the 10.5 percent increase expected nationwide. The strategy for delivering all those packages on-time calls for 7-day package delivery in most larger cities in the Beehive State.
Seven-day holiday package delivery is set to begin Sunday, Nov. 29, in 29 Utah cities (list below), mostly along the Wasatch Front. It is expected that by Sunday, Dec. 6, virtually all larger Post Offices in the state will be delivering packages seven days a week, and some smaller Post Offices as well where package volumes merit.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for real-time delivery notifications at myusps.com which will provide them with an email notification within a few minutes of the delivery of their package(s).
“The Postal Service ships more packages to more places than anyone else,” said Salt Lake City Postmaster Steve Chaus. “During the holidays, we’re raising the bar with enhanced tracking, real-time delivery notifications, and Sunday delivery providing excellent service and reliability that only Santa can compete with.”
Nationally the USPS expects to deliver 591 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas – a 10.5 percent increase compared to last holiday season.
“America is going to watch us deliver a record amount of packages this holiday season – it’s crunch time for the entire organization,” said USPS District Manager Darrell Stoke. “We have stepped up our game to assure each and every customer that USPS can be counted on to deliver their cards, gifts and letters in time for the holidays.”
Sunday package delivery continues the Postal Service’s commitment to provide its customers superior service as the nation’s mail carrier continues to respond to the increase in package business stemming from the growth in e-commerce and improvements to its Priority Mail product line.
For expected delivery of holiday mail and packages by Christmas, the Postal Service recommends keeping the following domestic mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:
- Dec. 15 – Standard Post
- Dec. 19 – First Class (cards and letters)
- Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
- Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express
Consumers can avoid holiday hassles by visiting usps.com — the Postal Service’s website that will help make mailing and shipping easier. More than 66 million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office altogether and take advantage of convenient online shipping this holiday season. Click-N-Ship and other online services allow customers to print prepaid shipping labels, order free Priority Mail boxes, purchase stamps and even request free next-day Package Pickup.
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Cities in Utah delivering holiday packages seven days a week beginning Nov. 29: American Fork, Bountiful, Centerville, Clearfield, Draper, Farmington, Heber City, Kaysville, Layton, Lehi, Logan, Magna, Midvale, Ogden, Orem, Park City, Payson, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Riverton, Roosevelt, Roy, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, Spanish Fork, Springville, Tooele and West Jordan.
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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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