The Postal Service’s busiest week of the year — the week before Christmas — is now underway. Here’s what the organization wants customers to know:
Dates to remember
To help ensure delivery before Wednesday, Dec. 25, USPS is reminding customers to send mail and packages as early as possible and to take advantage of the following recommended send-by dates:
• Wednesday, Dec. 18 — USPS Ground Advantage service and First-Class Mail service
• Thursday, Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
• Saturday, Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express service
Affordable rates
The Postal Service is committed to providing affordable, reliable shipping services for its customers, including free package pickups at home or businesses.
Other services include:
• USPS Ground Advantage. This service provides a dependable and more affordable way to ship packages across the contiguous United States, with expected delivery in 2-5 business days and $100 of insurance included. USPS Ground Advantage is priced 11 percent lower than competitor ground offerings, on average.
• Priority Mail. This expedited service provides a fast and affordable way to send packages and mail with expected delivery in 1-3 business days. Priority Mail offers a price point that is on average 35 percent lower than competitors’ select three-day products.
Service schedule
All Post Offices will be closed Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Wednesday, Jan. 1).
Regular Post Office hours and mail delivery will resume on the Thursday after each holiday.
Services and hours of operation may vary by location, so customers should always go to usps.com to check holiday hours.
Usps.com also has information on preparing shipments, ordering free shipping supplies, seasonal stamps or season’s greetings and featured products and services.