The holidays are a busy time for everyone but maybe not as busy as the folks at the U.S. Post Office. Millions of packages and letters are darting across the country and some delays might occur for one reason or another.
So, if you’ve got important packages that need to get in the mail, it’s imperative to keep an eye on the calendar to make sure your shipments arrive on time. Below are key post office deadlines for Christmas.
Post Office Deadlines for Christmas 2015
Dec. 15 – Standard Post
Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and oversized packages.
Dec. 19 – First Class Mail
Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less.
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
Domestic service in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where your package starts and where it’s being sent, variety of Flat Rate options.
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express
Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations. Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.
See complete details on mailing and shipping services.
International Deadlines
Each country/region has its own deadline. See the Post Office’s international shipping page for comprehensive information for each country/region’s deadlines for the various ways to mail and ship, including on Global Express Guaranteed,Priority Mail Express International, and First-Class Package International Service
Holiday Hours
U.S. Post Offices will be open on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, nationwide, and will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Many retail mail office lobbies will close at noon on Christmas Eve day, the Post Office notes. For specific holiday hours or if you require postal services later on Christmas Eve, contact your local post office or call 1.800.ASK.USPS for more information.
The Post Office’s Blue collection boxes with final collections deposited by noon will not be impacted. However, boxes with final collections scheduled for after 12 p.m. on Dec. 24 pickup may be picked up earlier, so be sure to place all mail in the Blue boxes by noon for Dec. 24 pickup.
Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Christmas Day.
All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume Dec. 26.
Don’t forget to consider these important shipping and packaging tips.
Small businesses should not forget to review current shipping costs. Last year the Postal Service underwent a transition to a new “dimensional” weighing system for packages that also went into effect at UPS on Dec. 29, 2014. (At FedEx, dimensional weighing went into effect on Jan. 2015.)
Image: U.S. Postal Service
Aira Bongco
Best to keep this in mind especially if you’re planning to send mail not only to your loved ones but also to your clients.
And if it causes you anxiety, make sure to get the delivery confirmation tracking. Then you know when it arrived.
alison
dont know why people block the mail office so early for domestic shipments, when priority gets there 3 days max…its ridiculous