What:

Opportunity to capture b-roll and photos with an inside peek at how the USPS utilizes high-tech equipment and systems to efficiently move mail during the holidays.  The Postal Service expects to deliver approximately 16 billion cards, letters, and packages during the 2018 holiday season. Tour the Louisville Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) with postal managers on hand for interviews and to answer questions.

Who:

Kentuckiana Senior Plant Manager James Shaffer
Acting Louisville Postmaster Jennifer Goldstein
Kentuckiana Marketing Manager Alisa Zanetti

When:

Thursday, Dec. 12 at 11:00 p.m.
Please RSVP at 502-416-2119 to secure a spot.

Where:

Louisville P&DC (at Main Post Office)
1420 Gardiner Lane
Louisville KY  40231
(Please enter the Post Office and wait in lobby for tour to begin)

Background:

The Postal Service expects to deliver approximately 16 billion cards, letters and packages during the 2018 holiday season. The Postal Service is projecting more than 900 million packages will be delivered this holiday season (2017: 871 million | 2016: 750 million | 2015: 660 million).

Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days 

• Nearly 200 million packages are expected to be delivered during the busiest week— Dec. 17-23, and about the same the week prior.
• More than 8 million packages are expected to be delivered each Sunday during the holiday season, beginning Nov. 25.
• Nearly 2 billion pieces of mail, including greeting cards and packages, are expected to be processed and delivered during the busiest week.
• Dec. 17 is expected to be the busiest day for usps.com with more than 8 million customers predicted to visit on that day alone, compared to nearly 5 million people on regular days.

TIPS TO AVOID A SHIPPING GLITCH

• Select a durable box to protect the contents. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes are free at local post offices
• Do NOT reuse mailing boxes – they weaken in the shipping process
• Properly address packages. Include both “to” and “from” information and only on one side
• Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex: 123 S Main St. Apt. 2B)
• Never guess a ZIP Code. Look up a ZIP Code at usps.com under Quick Tools. NO ZIP is better than a WRONG ZIP
• Pay attention to batteries. In general, batteries should be securely packaged in the manufacturer’s original packaging. Items shipped with batteries installed that tick, vibrate or make noises during transportation can be delayed due to security concerns. Lithium batteries are hazardous materials and are restricted by type, quantity and battery strength. Information about shipping batteries, including lithium batteries, is in Publication 52, sec. 349.22.
• Leave space for extra cushioning inside and stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately
• Place a card inside the package with delivery and return addresses. This helps postal employees deliver the item should the mailing label become damaged or fall off

The holidays are now hi-tech as customers register for the Informed Delivery, which allows residential users to view digital images of their incoming letter mail before it is delivered to their address. Additionally, more customers than ever are expected to use Click-N-Ship this year to ship from the convenience of their home or office at www.usps.com.

Mailing early is the key to beating the rush. Customers should take note of the following mail-by deadlines:

RECOMMENDED MAIL-BY DATES
Thursday, Dec. 20	First-Class and Priority
Saturday, Dec. 22	Priority Mail Express

Post offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25 and New Year’s Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.  

Some post offices may have limited hours on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24.  New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, post offices will be open during regular business hours. Customers should always check with their local post offices for hours of operation.

All post offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume after the holidays on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

The Kentuckiana District serves ZIP Codes 400-409, 411-427 in Kentucky and 471, 476-477 in Southern Indiana.

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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