Holiday mailing deadlines inching closer
For anyone planning on mailing out holiday cards or Christmas packages, the mailing deadlines are getting closer and closer.
The post office in Pocatello said the week after Thanksgiving is when business starts to pick up. It said after next week it pretty much stays steadily busy through the holidays.
The U.S. Postal Service is expecting a 12% increase in the number of packages being mailed this year. It’s projecting a total of about 16 billion pieces of cards and packages will be delivered.
It said the busiest day for mailing is Dec. 19. and the busiest day for delivery is Dec. 22.
The Pocatello post office gave some important dates for people to know coming up for the holidays. Below are some of the final dates for sending things out.
Dec. 1 – deadline for some overseas packages
Dec. 9 – military (APO/FPO/DPO Priority Mail & APO / FPO first-class mail
Dec. 10 – request North Pole postmark
Dec. 15 – USPS retail ground (domestic)
Dec. 16 – military (priority mail express)
Dec. 20 – First-class mail
Dec. 21 – Priority mail
Dec. 23 – Priority mail express
The post office also provided some tips for avoiding a shipping glitch:
1) Print addresses clearly
2) Remove batteries from toys
3) Place a card inside the package that contains the delivery and return address
4) Never guess a zip code. You can look up zip codes on usps.com
5) Include both “to” and “from” information
6) Do NOT reuse mailing boxes
7) Select a box that is strong enough
8) Leave space for cushioning inside
9) Stuff glass and fragile, hollow items (like vases) with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage.
If you want the North Pole postmark on your mail here’s how to do it:
1) Personalize greeting cards as usual
2) Address the enveolopes
3) Put a holiday stamp on the enveolope
4) Put all of the envelopes in a larger envelope – or a priority mail box
5) Put postage on the larger envelope or box
6) Send by Dec. 10
7) Send to: North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
