Minnesota news

December 7, 2018

Postal Service Opens Up Mail Processing Operations

Only opportunity to view behind-the-scenes holiday operations

What:

The St. Paul Processing & Distribution Center will handle millions of parcels this holiday season. We are opening up our parcel sorting operation to the media for one day only.

We will show high-speed sorting operations and large bins of parcels being separated and sorted. It’s industrial, but there are some really great visuals of high-tech, high-speed processing, large chutes of parcels, automated systems, and people sorting parcels manually. 
When: Wednesday, December 12, from 4PM to 5PM.
Who:

We will have a spokesperson on hand to talk about mailing tips, deadlines and ways to save money and time.

A facility manager will conduct the tour and speak about the equipment, transportation and employees.

Where:

 St. Paul Processing & Distribution Center, 3232 Denmark Ave, St. Paul, MN.
Entry Instructions:

Follow the entry into the Business Mail Entry and Employee Entrance and park in the visitor parking lot.  Go in through the main entrance glass doors and sign in the visitor’s log.  We will greet you in the lobby area and take everyone back at 4PM.  Please arrive timely.
Safety Requirement: No open toe or open heel shoes. No heels.  Tour may consist of walking grated catwalk and climbing stairs. 
Deadlines: The Postal Service recommends customers in the U.S. observe the following mailing and shipping deadlines to ensure that deliveries are made in time for Christmas:

Dec. 11 – Military, First Class and Priority
Dec. 14 – Ground Delivery
Dec. 16 – Military Express Mail
Dec. 19 – First- Class Cards and Letters
Dec. 20 – Priority Mail
Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express
Holiday Facts and Figures:
  • Busiest MAILING, SHIPPING and DELIVERY WEEK — Dec. 17-23
  • Nearly 16 billion total pieces of mail and packages are expected to be processed and delivered this holiday season — Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day
  • 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)
  • Nearly 200 million packages are expected to be delivered during the busiest week, 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 | Nearly 5 million people on regular days

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