What:

The local station manager at the Downtown Long Beach Post Office will offer a “Helping Hand” by demonstrating how to package and ship gifts this season, at the counter, at a self-service kiosk and from home. The manager will also be sharing helpful tips on how to ensure packages reach their destination timely.

Who:

Daniel Vargas, Station Manager

When:

Dec. 14, 2022, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:

Downtown Long Beach Post Office
300 Long Beach Blvd
Long Beach, CA  90802

Please RSVP to natashi.l.garvins@usps.gov to coordinate interview.

Background:

In the spirit of the holiday season, Daniel Vargas, Manager will greet customers and answer questions about holiday shipping deadlines, how to avoid shipping glitches, and how to save time by using alternate shipping options.

English and Spanish demonstration interviews are available.

Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days

The busiest week kicks off December 12 and runs through December 17. Customer traffic at all Post Office locations has been steadily increasing since Dec. 5, and this week is expected to not disappoint as the busiest mailing, shipping, and delivery week of 2022.

Wrap It Up Without Leaving Home

If you prefer to ship gifts from the comfort of home, you can use the Click-N-Ship feature on usps.com. Customers can order free Priority Mail boxes, print shipping labels, purchase postage and even request free next-day Package Pickup*. And of course, usps.comis always open.

*Boxes are delivered within the United States with your regular mail, usually within seven to 10 business days. Exclusions apply; for details and to order, visit store.usps.com/store. Customers can schedule free pickup for the next delivery day at the same time mail is delivered by his or her letter carrier. Pickup on demand is available for an additional fee. See usps.com/pickup for details.

Important Reminders

• Packages containing used electronics or other hazardous materials — lithium-ion batteries, in particular — must now be shipped via surface transportation using Parcel Select Ground, USPS Retail Ground, Parcel Return Service or Ground Return Service.

• Certain items may have restrictions or prohibitions when sent through the mail. See the list of hazardous, restricted and perishable mail or ask a Postal Service employee for more information on what can and cannot be sent through the mail.
• Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces and/or are more than a half-inch thick and use stamps as postage cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up. Instead, take them to a retail associate at any of our more than 34,000 Post Office locations. This requirement does not apply to Click-N-Ship customers.

2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) and domestic addresses*:

• Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military

     service

• Dec. 17 — USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
  

Alaska

• Dec. 18    — Alaska to/from continental U.S.– First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 21    — Alaska to/from continental U.S.– Priority Mail Express
  

Hawaii

• Dec. 17   — Hawaii to/from mainland – First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 21   — Hawaii to/from mainland – 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 business days.

Additional Tips

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

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

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