n Delivering for America plan investments fuel holiday season preparedness
n Operational improvements ready the organization for cost effective handling of increased volume
n USPS remains the most affordable way to ship mail and packages this holiday season
The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) is primed and ready to deliver exceptional service during the 2024 holiday rush, thanks to the substantial progress USPS has made under the Delivering for America plan — a $40 billion investment aimed at revitalizing the national postal network.
Throughout 2024, USPS has been relentlessly working toward the objectives of its 10-year Delivering for America plan.
By harnessing the power of network modernization, an upgraded delivery fleet and the successful launch of the USPS Ground Advantage® and USPS Connect® services, the Postal Service™ is building a reenergized, nationwide integrated mail and package network.
This logical, efficient, cost-effective and reliable network will ensure dependable and affordable service throughout the holiday season. As a result, USPS is ideally suited to handle the increased volume of mail and packages typical of the holiday season, demonstrating its commitment to providing reliable, high-quality service to all customers.
“The Postal Service’s historic transformation — made possible by our Delivering for America plan — has allowed us to realize more package processing capacity than ever before,” said Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy. “Our operational, transportation and delivery processes have never been more finely tuned, and I am fully confident in our ability to once again handle the peak holiday season surge. We are strongly positioned to deliver exceptional, affordable service to the American people during the holidays and beyond.”
n Increasing daily processing capacity to approximately 60 million. USPS has expanded its daily package processing capacity to approximately 60 million. Since 2020, the Postal Service has nearly tripled its daily package processing capacity. Increased package processing capacity allows for packages to move through the postal network faster and USPS to lease temporary annexes to handle increases in holiday volume.
n Planning to hire only 7,500 seasonal staff. With a stabilized workforce and improved operating processes, the Postal Service plans to hire 7,500 seasonal staff, compared with 10,000 last year.
n Revamping the postal delivery and processing network. The organization has dedicated nearly $17.3 billion from the plan’s $40 billion self-funded investment budget to drive the transformation of the postal network. This commitment is fueling the ongoing development of a modernized, efficient, and technologically advanced postal network.
n Enhancing the postal delivery fleet. USPS is significantly upgrading the fleet with the addition of 106,000 new, more reliable vehicles. This includes 66,000 zero-emission electric vehicles, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility while ensuring reliable service.
n Offering new shipping services. The successful implementation of USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Connect has led to a notable surge in shipping volumes. These initiatives have not only expanded the Postal Service’s capacity but also improved its efficiency, ensuring a seamless shipping experience for customers.
USPS has also prioritized morning parcel delivery, enhanced scanning technology and extended retail and pick-up delivery hours at popular Post Office® locations, while continuing to offer the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world.
For tips on preparing shipments, including recommended mailing and shipping dates, packaging guidelines, ordering free shipping supplies, and information on local Post Office location hours, go to usps.com.
2024 Holiday Mailing and Shipping Dates
The Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages on Oct. 8, 2024. Here are the recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25, 2024.
For customers sending packages internationally, USPS suggests checking the complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates at usps.com/holidayshippingdates. The Postal Service urges customers to plan ahead and ship early during this holiday season, don’t delay — mail and ship today! For tips on preparing shipments; including packaging guidelines, ordering free shipping supplies and information on local Post Office location hours, go to usps.com.
The Postal Service offers a free Military Care Kit based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit contains:
1. Two APO/FPO/DPO Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes
2. Four medium Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes
3. Priority Mail® tape
4. Priority Mail address labels
5. Appropriate customs forms
To order the Military Care Kit, or for more information on military and diplomatic mail; including guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops, call 800-610-8734 or go to usps.com.
You can ship care packages to military addresses at domestic prices, even if you‘re sending mail overseas. The Postal Service can help you with:
n Free military shipping kits, addressing tips, and country-by-country guidance on what you can and can‘t send.
n Filling out customs form (including more-detailed package descriptions required by countries that follow European Union customs rules).
n Scheduling free package pickup when your shipment is ready to go.
The Postal Service also offers a discounted price of $24.25 on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box when sending packages to loved ones serving in the military abroad. The price includes a $1.75 per box discount for mail sent to Air/Army Post Offices/Fleet Post Offices/Diplomatic Post Offices (APOs/FPOs/DPOs) destinations worldwide.
Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at local Post Office locations or from The Postal Store at usps.com/freeboxes. Also available online are Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block.
Each shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO needs the recipient’s name, rank, and unit, and the APO/FPO/DPO address with the ZIP+4® Code. Always include a return address. Mail and shipments must be addressed to a specific person; addressing to “Any Service Member” is no longer permitted. To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include city or country names in APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses. Here are properly addressed shipment examples:
n Army/Air Post Office (APO)
JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021
n Fleet Post Office (FPO)
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
FPO AP 96691
n Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048
n Properly Prepare Your Shipment: Whether shipping to domestic or overseas military and diplomatic post offices, make sure you follow the guidelines for preparing your box or envelope correctly, so it arrives on time. Learn about size and weight requirements, calculating postage, and dropping off your shipment. Learn how to prepare international shipments at usps.com.
n Tuck an address inside the box: It‘s a good idea to include a second piece of paper with the address inside the box, just in case something happens to damage the label on the outside. Be sure to include both the destination address and your return address on the spare copy.
n Keep temperature in mind: Remember that outdoor conditions can affect the contents of your package. Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees, which can damage delicate goods like electronics.
Holiday Marketing Campaign
For 2024, the Postal Service “Holiday Marketing Campaign” highlights how USPS delivers joy with every holiday ride. The campaign takes viewers on a holiday ride and showcases just how effectively the United States Postal Service comes together in full force to make every delivery matter and create joyful connections this holiday season.
Through the imaginative perspective of a resourceful and creative child, we explore the intricate network and meet the employees that enable the United States Postal Service to accomplish its annual feat of delivering limitless moments of holiday joy to every address in the United States — six and often seven days a week.
n The holidays are the time when the Postal Service shines — all 640,000 employees coming together to ensure your cards and gifts are delivered on-time.
n Over 640,000 employees working in sync to ensure everything sent on its holiday ride ends with a moment of joy.
n Our enhanced delivery network is delivering infinite moments of joy with every package sent.
n Share more holiday joy with affordable, reliable shipping from USPS Ground Advantage® at usps.com/ship/ground-advantage.htm.
n Get everything you need to spread holiday joy: seasonal stamps, ornaments, and gifts from the Postal Store® at usps.com.
n Ship holiday joy right from your home with Click-N-Ship® at usps.com/ship/online-shipping.htm.
n Holiday Joy is knowing when your gifts will arrive, before they arrive with Informed Delivery® at usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm.
n It’s our mission to pick up every present and deliver joy from your home to theirs.
n Before you ship your holiday gifts, know this year’s ship-by dates.
Viewers can enjoy the 2024 USPS holiday marketing campaign on-demand at youtube.com/usps.
The Postal Service offers a wide variety of holiday-themed stamps. Customers may purchase these stamps at Post Office locations nationwide or The Postal Store® at usps.com.
New holiday stamps this year include:
n Christmas Madonna and Child (2024)
n Holiday Joy (2024)
n Hanukkah (2024)
n Kwanzaa (2024)
n Winter Whimsey (2024)
Holiday stamps from previous years are available from The Postal Store:
n Diwali (2016)
n Snow Globes (2023)
n Hanukkah (2022)
n Kwanzaa (2022)
n Virgin and Child (2022)
n Holiday Elves (2022)
n Winter Woodland Animals (2023)
n Poinsettia (Global Rate)
For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS® Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon at amazon.com/stores/page/492FEE3E-DB32-4E8F-9A5F-D5C8E9E274BD.
Since its inception more than a century ago, USPS Operation Santa® has allowed generous people from across the United States to help fulfill the holiday wishes of families in need by adopting their letters to Santa Claus. For 2024, USPS Operation Santa has a new way to shop and ship gifts using a new online catalog in collaboration with Toys“R”Us® that will make participation in the annual program easier than ever.
On September 16, the program began accepting letters that children and families write to Santa to express their hopes and dreams for the holiday season.
“Delivering holiday joy has never been easier,” said Sheila Holman, USPS marketing vice president. “And our collaboration with Toys“R”Us® is just the beginning. This year, we’re excited to offer a curated selection of toys and playthings, and next year, we’ll be expanding to include clothing, shoes, books and more. Our goal is to make it even easier for participants to personalize their gift giving and help more families experience the magic of the holidays through USPS Operation Santa.”
This year, USPS Operation Santa has added the option for adopters to send gifts using the Postal Service’s latest shipping offering, USPS Ground Advantage®. This service offers a simple, reliable and affordable way to ship packages across the nation, with expected delivery times ranging from two to five business days.
Additionally, USPS Operation Santa will be highlighted in the new season of the original docuseries “Dear Santa,” debuting Sunday, Nov. 24 on ABC, Localish, and Hulu. The series will feature real-life stories of children whose letters were answered and the generous individuals and families who adopted them.
Key dates for the 2024 program:
n Holiday Season Begins: Sept. 16
n Registration Opens for Adopters: Nov. 4
n Adoption Starts: Nov. 18
n Last Call for Writers: Dec. 9
n Last Call for Adopters: Dec. 16
The letters that children and families send to Santa are anonymized and made available for adoption on the program’s website, USPSOperationSanta.com. Generous individuals, families and organizations can browse the letters, adopt one or more of them and fulfill the letter writer’s holiday wishes.
More information on sending letters to Santa:
n Participants can send up to six packages via USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail® for individual and family letters.
n Packages sent by Priority Mail do not need to be in Priority Mail packaging.
n Participants must be charged for postage but should not be allowed to see the recipients’ addresses and will not receive tracking information.
n Participants are instructed to ship packages no later than December 16.
The official USPS Operation Santa website has additional information, including detailed instructions for participation.
The Postal Service is reminding customers and employees that metallic mercury and items containing metallic mercury are prohibited in the mailstream.
Mercury is a toxic chemical that even when exposed in small amounts — through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact — may cause serious health conditions. When spilled, mercury can be absorbed into the skin and emit vapors that can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems; lungs; and kidneys and may be fatal. It is important that this very harmful material is kept out of the USPS network.
Metallic mercury can be found in older thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors, switches and relays. Newer or digital versions of these devices generally do not contain metallic mercury. Poster 318 explains the penalties associated with mailing mercury and other hazardous materials. If a person knowingly mails items or materials that are dangerous or injurious to life, health or property, they may face a civil penalty of at least $250, but not more than $100,000 per violation; the costs of any cleanup associated with each violation; and damages. They may also face criminal penalties.
Exceptions to the outright ban on mercury in the mailstream include compact fluorescent lamps, fluorescent tubes and similar items that contain minute amounts of mercury in a vaporized state, invisible to the naked eye. These may be mailed domestically but not internationally — including Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post Office destinations.
Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail, has complete information about mailing requirements for parcels containing mercury. Publication 52 can be found on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com. USPS has distributed a Domestic Mail Manual advisory on the topic of mercury in the mailstream. Employees with questions should speak to a manager or supervisor. The organization also issued a news release on June 21, 2024 to remind customers that metallic mercury is prohibited in the mailstream.
The Postal Service offers FAQs on prohibited items containing mercury and the Postal Inspection Service has released a public service announcement on mercury in the mail. Additionally, USPS has released a chart (see about.usps.com/newsroom/global/pdf/commonly-encountered-mercury.pdf) with more information about commonly encountered mercury. For more information, go to about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2024/0621-mercury-remains-prohibited-in-the-mail.htm.
Custom Solutions for Sending Holiday Packages
Click-N-Ship® is a convenient application for residential and small business customers to create postage labels online. Easily print domestic Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage® shipping labels. With just a few clicks, you can set shipping preferences and print postage labels from your home or office. All you need to get started is a free usps.com residential or business account, computer and standard printer. If you do not have a printer available, check out our Label Broker® option. For more information, go to usps.com/onlineshipping.
USPS Ground Advantage® service is a simple, affordable and reliable way to send packages inside the U.S.
Key features of Ground Advantage:
n Ship to all 50 states, U.S. military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.
n Free Package Pickup at your home or office.
n $100 insurance is included (for both outbound and return shipments), and you can purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage against loss or damage for merchandise.
n Primary option for sending hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that can’t go by air.
Prices start at just $5.40 at a Post Office location. (Ship online with enhanced Click-N-Ship® service and get lower Commercial Rates. Businesses can get additional savings by opting in to the Business Rate Card at tusps.usps.com/ship/online-shipping.htm#businessratecard.
USPS Ground Advantage packages have expected delivery in two-five business days and USPS Tracking® service is included in the price. For more information on USPS Ground Advantage go to usps.com/groundadvantage.
USPS Connect® solutions offer a dynamic suite of affordable package and document delivery services to help businesses of any size move forward. USPS Connect is a set of four delivery solutions that leverage ongoing network improvements, new equipment, new pricing and enhanced operational precision to meet evolving business needs.
USPS Connect shipping services include:
n USPS Connect Local: A new way for local businesses to affordably and quickly reach local customers with expected same-day or next-day deliveries in all locations.
n USPS Connect Regional: Expands reach for businesses and allows for next-day deliveries to more customers within a broad specified region.
n USPS Connect National: Provides delivery solutions for businesses of all sizes and the ability to serve every residential and business address in the United States.
n USPS Connect Returns: A service for businesses to offer their customers convenient returns, with free en-route pickup by their carrier or drop-off at a nearby Post Office location.
Businesses interested in learning more may go to uspsconnect.com, call 855-MYUSPSCONNECT (855-698-7772) or email uspsconnect@usps.gov.
Custom Solutions for Receiving Holiday Packages
Informed Delivery® is a free service from USPS that shows you preview images of incoming mail, as well as status updates about your incoming and outbound packages. You can see those notifications in a morning Daily Digest email, or at any time via the dashboard from your phone, computer, or the USPS Mobile® app.
Informed Delivery also has other features that make tracking and receiving your packages easier and more convenient. To sign up, or to learn more about Informed Delivery, go to usps.com/informeddelivery.
USPS® Smart Lockers provide an alternative free, secure, and convenient place to receive your packages when home delivery isn’t practical or preferred. USPS Smart Lockers enable packages to be delivered without package recipients needing to be home, providing them with flexibility and options for receiving packages. With an increased desire for more flexibility and growing concerns related to package theft, package recipients and package shippers want the confidence that their packages will be delivered safely and on time. That’s why USPS is expanding our Smart Locker offering and installing locker sites at Post Office locations across the country to provide package recipients and package shippers with a safe, secure delivery alternative.
n Enhanced Security: Rest easy knowing your package was delivered to a secure Post Office Smart Locker location.
n Self-Service Option: Enjoy a hassle-free trip to the Post Office — skip the line and retrieve your package(s) using the scannable code from your mobile device.
n More Flexibility: Ship and receive packages on your own terms — anytime, anywhere.
n Decrease Costs: Eliminate expenses associated with missing or stolen packages.
n Boost Package Recipient Experience: Provide package recipients a self-service tool that offers flexible shipment options and a tailored digital experience.
n Build Brand Loyalty: Reduce package recipient anxiety over high-value or sensitive packages by ensuring they are received safely.
To learn more about USPS Smart Lockers go to uspssmartpackagelockers.com
Customers can now pause their mail delivery online using USPS Hold Mail® service. USPS Hold Mail service can hold your mail safely at a local Post Office® location until you return, for up to 30 days. To hold your mail longer or to reroute your mail, please sign up for a forwarding service at usps.com/manage/forward.htm. You can make your request up to 30 days in advance or as early as the next scheduled delivery day. Request your USPS Hold Mail service start date by 3 AM ET (2 AM CT or 12 AM PT) on your requested day, Monday–Saturday.
Here’s how to submit your next USPS Hold Mail request:
1. Create or sign in to your USPS.com account.
2. Go to USPS Hold Mail and follow the steps to verify your identity.
3. Once your identity has been verified successfully, you won‘t have to complete this step again for your current address.
For more details, go to usps.com/manage/hold-mail.htm.
Write the address parallel to the longest side of the package (or envelope), and make sure your return address, the delivery address, and postage will fit on the same side.
n Sender address – write your address (the “return address”) in the top-left corner. Include the following on separate lines:
n Your full name or company name
n Apartment or suite number
n Full street address
n City, State, and ZIP+4® Code
n Delivery Address – Write the delivery address in the center of the label or package (below and to the right of the return address, if possible), using the same format:
n The recipient’s full name or company name
n Apartment or Suite number
n Full street address
n City, State, and ZIP+4 Code
n Use a pen or permanent marker.
n Print neatly using capital letters.
n If you’ll be printing a shipping label (with postage included), you can use that instead of a separate address label.
For more information, go to usps.com/ship/packages.htm.
ZIP Codes are an integral part of making sure the mailpiece is processed quickly and efficiently. Not having a ZIP Code™ on your mail may cause unnecessary delays because it will require manual handling. It is recommended to use the USPS standardized street address format (including ZIP+4 Code) when addressing mailpieces to ensure that they are processed smoothly by mail sorting equipment without any delays.
The Postal Service recommends using the ZIP Code lookup tool on usps.com, which will display an address in USPS standardized format, at tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm. For more information, go to faq.usps.com/s/article/ZIP-Code-The-Basics.
For a fee, USPS Package Intercept® lets the sender or recipient stop delivery or redirect a package, letter, or flat that is not out for delivery or already delivered. Most domestic mailings with a tracking or extra services barcode are eligible for USPS Package Intercept. You can only request a package intercept online.
Here’s how it works:
You can request that the destination Post Office hold the item for you or have it returned to sender.
1. To verify that your shipment is eligible for USPS Package Intercept go to usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm#eligibility.
2. If eligible, you can submit your request online after logging in with your USPS account at usps.com account.
3. After submitting your request, you’ll be provided an estimated total (intercept fee plus estimated Priority Mail® postage, if applicable). We will then attempt to intercept and redirect the shipment.
4. If the shipment is intercepted, your credit card will be charged the $17.50 USPS Package Intercept fee plus any applicable postage. If the actual postage is greater than estimated, any additional postage will be charged accordingly.
5. Your shipment will be redirected to the original sender or held at the local Post Office for pickup.
For more information, go to usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm.
Executive and Administrative Schedule (EAS) employees can promote the USPS brand on their personal social media networks via USPS ZONE — a voluntary social media ambassador program. Participants share pre-approved, curated Postal Service holiday-related social media posts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. For more information, email uspszone@usps.gov.
Consumers can also find more information and interact with USPS via social media pages on Facebook (facebook.com/usps), X, formerly known as Twitter (x.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), Threads (threads.net/@uspostalservice) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps).
The USPS TV YouTube channel has a variety of content to help consumers during the holidays and beyond, including “how to” videos, information on our products and services, stamps, employment, and more. Visit USPS TV online at youtube.com/uspstv to view, like, and subscribe.
2024 Holiday Information
Celebrate the holidays by tuning in to the official podcast of the United States Postal Service — Mailin’ It! — that takes you inside a thoroughly American institution, exploring the rich history of the USPS, going behind-the scenes of its present innovations, and discussing its dynamic future with organization and industry leaders. Join our hosts Jonathan Castillo and Karla Kirby for a fun look at your United States Postal Service.
To listen, subscribe and learn more, go to usps.com/news.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom at usps.com/news.
Information to help customers prepare for the busy holiday season, including a holiday mail and package volume counter beginning later in the season, can be found on the USPS Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynews.
Under the “gifts from outside sources” provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, USPS employees are prohibited from directly or indirectly soliciting or accepting any gift from a prohibited source or any gift given because of the employee’s official position. Follow these guidelines:
n All Postal Service customers are “prohibited sources” under the rule.
n A gift is anything that has monetary value, including cash and cash equivalents (checks, money orders, Amex/Visa gift cards, Venmo/CashApp), gift cards, meals (note that modest refreshments, such as soda, coffee, chips and other snacks are not considered gifts), gift baskets, etc.)
n While employees are permitted to send a holiday card to customers (using the employee’s personal funds), the card can not include a message that directly or indirectly encourages them to give the employee a tip or a gift, as this would be an improper solicitation.
n There are a couple exceptions to the general rule which allow for a Postal employee to accept a gift from a prohibited source:
1. The $20/$50 exception: Employees are permitted to accept a gift from a prohibited source if the gift is not cash or a cash equivalent; the gift is valued at $20 or less; and the total market value of all gifts the employee has received from the same source over the course of the calendar year does not exceed $50.
2. A family or personal relationship with the prohibited source: A Postal employee may accept a gift from a prohibited source if circumstances make it clear that the gift was given due to a family relationship or personal friendship, not the employee’s postal position.
n If an employee is given a gift that is worth more than $20, the employee should either: return it to the customer (our office can provide a letter to accompany the gift); pay the fair market value of the gift to the customer if the employee wants to keep the gift; or, if the gift is a perishable item (i.e., an item that will spoil if returned), the employee may share it with the office, donate it, or destroy it.
Postal employees are never obligated to accept a gift. If accepting a gift would create an appearance that the ethics rules have been violated, employees should politely decline. Even if you think an exception may apply, do not hesitate to contact the Ethics and Legal Compliance team with questions.
The Postal Service asks customers to place their dogs in a separate room before opening the front door to accept packages from carriers. Dogs are protective of their turf and have been known to jump through screen doors, squeeze through door openings, and attack our employees. More than 5,800 carriers were attacked by dogs last year. USPS wants all our employees to get home safely each day.
Find more information at usps.com/dogbiteawareness.
To help friends and family get into the holiday spirit, the Postal Service offers the opportunity to get a North Pole Postmark on all your holiday greetings. Follow these simple steps:
1. Personalize greeting cards as usual and insert them into envelopes.
2. Address the envelopes and apply a USPS Forever® stamp to the envelopes.
3. Put all the stamped envelopes in a Priority Mail Flat Rate® box.
4. Calculate and pay for postage and take to the box to a Post Office® location for mailing.
5. Address box filled with envelopes and cards to:
NORTH POLE POSTMARK
POSTMASTER
4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998
USPS recommends putting your greetings in the mail by December 1. This will help ensure that the cards and letters can be received in Anchorage, AK, in time to postmark the stamp and get them back in the mail-stream for delivery by December 25.
If customers miss the recommended December 1 send-by date, USPS recommends using Priority Mail Express® service.
Help children receive written responses from the big guy at the North Pole. Follow these simple steps to get a letter from Santa, complete with a North Pole Postmark:
1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole.
2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response to the child on the back of the letter. Don’t forget to sign it from Santa!
3. Insert the response letter into a separate envelope and address it to the child.
4. Add the return address to the envelope: Santa Claus, North Pole.
5. Affix a USPS Forever stamp to the envelope.
6. Place the complete envelope into a Priority Mail Flat Rate box envelope (or Priority Mail Flat Rate box) with appropriate postage and address it to:
NORTH POLE POSTMARK
POSTMASTER
4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998
To ensure cards and letters are received in Anchorage in time to postmark the stamp for receipt by December 25, the recommended send-by date is December 1.
If customers miss the recommended December 1 send-by date, USPS recommends using Priority Mail Express® service.
We published the Delivering for America (DFA) plan on March 23, 2021. The purpose of this updated plan, Delivering for America 2.0 — Fulfilling the Promise, is to revisit and re-examine the factors contributing to the development of our original 10-year transformation and modernization plan, describe the significant progress made over the past three years, and summarize the evolution of our major strategies that are now driving the organization forward to financial stability and sustained service excellence.
Our approach to the future continues to build on our past aspirations as identified in the original Delivering for America plan. We seek to transform our organization into a high-performance organization with the following characteristics:
n A Strengthened Public Service Mission
n An Organization Structured for Success
n Best-In-Class Mail and Package Processing
n Best-In-Class Delivery Operations
n A Fully Optimized Surface and Air Transportation Network
n A Modern, Transformed Network of Post Offices
n Service Standards that Foster Service Excellence and Reliability
n A Bold Approach to Growth, Innovation, and Continued Relevance
n Environmental Stewardship
n A Stable and Empowered Workforce
n Sensible and Prudent Legislative and Administrative Support
n A More Rational Approach to Pricing
n Financial Stability and Investment
This comprehensive approach is essential for us to continue fulfilling the mail and package needs of the American public and businesses, all while adhering to current legislative requirements and our statutorily established business model.
We communicate about the urgency of implementing our plan and the upward trajectory and benefits the plan delivers for the Postal Service and the nation — and we will continue to do so as we build a stronger and more competitive Postal Service.
For more information, go to usps.com/deliveringforamerica.
— Public Relations,
Corporate Communications, 10-17-24
