SALT LAKE CITY — United States Postal Service workers are processing a historic record of mail and packages this year.
The week before Christmas is always a busy one for USPS, but the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the demand for shipping this holiday season.
"We definitely have longer lines than normal, even this Christmas, so, you know, patience is definitely a good thing," said Nathan Lee, US Postmaster at the Bountiful Post Office. "We have really great people working in our retail lobby, and they're moving as quickly as possible and they're going to get to everybody as soon as they can."
USPS customers who wish to have packages arrive in time for Christmas should be aware of the following deadlines:
- Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
- Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
- Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
USPS has some different deadlines for shipping to and from Alaska and Hawaii. Click here to see all of the Christmas shipping deadlines.
More holiday mailing and shipping tips from USPS:
- Use free Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. They are available at Post Office locations or online at usps.com/freeboxes.
- Make it easy with Click-N-Ship. You can create shipping labels and pay for postage online at usps.com/ship.
- Schedule a free Package Pickup when the carrier delivers your mail. It’s free regardless of the number of packages. Pickups can be scheduled at usps.com/pickup.
- Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces or are more than a half-inch thick and using stamps as postage cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up. Instead, take them to a local Post Office.
- Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found on the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynews.
