The following information was provided by the United States Postal Service:
SALT LAKE CITY – The Postal Service will extend Saturday retail hours at 36 Utah Post Offices the three Saturdays before Christmas with 8 opening the two Sundays before Christmas.
Most larger Post Offices between Logan and Provo, including 21 in the Salt Lake City area, will extend Saturday retail hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
On Sunday Dec. 14 and 21 the Murray Branch, Sugarhouse Station, West Valley Branch, and the Main Post Offices in Bountiful, Layton, Clearfield, Ogden and Sandy will open their retail windows from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Customers can go online to usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to find their nearest Post Office and retail hours.
“Extending retail hours and adding Sunday hours will help our customers get their packages in the mail at a time that is convenient for them,” said Salt Lake City Postmaster Steve Chaus. “It’s also a good time for customers who have been notified to pick up a package.”
While Saturday hours are being extended and Sunday hours added, Chaus reminds customers they likely already have a 24/7 Post Office inside their home or business. He encourages them to skip the trip to the Post Office and ship their packages from the comfort of home at usps.com.
“Customers not only receive savings off retail prices when they print their own labels with postage online, but time and gas as well – all traditionally in short supply during the holidays,” said Chaus. “Free Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and Free Package Pickup make online shipping a snap.”
The Postal Service expects to deliver 15.5 billion cards, letters and packages this holiday season, including 470 million packages – a 12 percent increase compared to 2013. A similar increase is expected in Utah.
For expected delivery of holiday mail and packages by Christmas, the USPS recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:
Dec. 2 – First-Class Mail International/Priority Mail International
Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International
Dec. 15 – Standard Post
Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed
Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail/Priority Mail (domestic)
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (domestic)
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
