The calendar nearly says December. With that in mind, the United States Postal Service has the mailing deadlines for the expected delivery of cards.
USPS also wanted to give some tips when it comes to making sure your presents and cards arrive on time.
The Postal Service will also be opening up 8 locations for the next three Sundays in Kentucky.
They’ll be open December 2nd, 9th, and 16th. The locations are in St. Mathews, Okolona, Lexington, Richmond, London, Ashland, Bowling Green, and Owensboro. The locations will be open from 11 am to 3pm.
Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days
The Postal Service’s “busiest day” notion is now a thing of the past because of people shopping earlier and online. USPS now has the busiest time and it starts two weeks before Christmas. Beginning the week of Dec. 10th, customer traffic is expected to increase and USPS expects to deliver nearly 200 million packages per week during this two week stretch. During the week of Dec. 17-23, it is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping, and delivery week. The Postal Service expects to process and deliver nearly 3 billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards.
2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
USPS recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses:
- Dec. 4 – APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 11 – APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 14 – USPS Retail Ground Dec. 18 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express
- Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 20 – First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 20 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 20 – Priority Mail
- Dec. 20 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 22 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
- Dec. 22 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
- Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express
New for this Year
USPS Informed Delivery is the Postal Service’s free daily digital preview of what’s coming to your mailbox. You can manage your packages and get a sneak peek of cards headed your way.
The USPS also has a YouTube channel to help people out.
Here’s a detailed tutorial on how to ship, click here.