Today marked the Postal Service's busiest mailing day for holiday cards and packages, when more than 658 million pieces of mail were expected to be processed. More than 2 million people will visit a Post Office today.
The busiest days for the delivery of holiday mail and packages are coming up soon — Wednesday, Dec. 19 for mail and Thursday, Dec. 20 for holiday packages — when millions of mail and packages will be delivered in time for the holidays to homes across the country.
"Our employees work tirelessly to make sure cards and packages arrive on time for the holidays," said Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General and chief executive officer. "We have 237 years of experience."
If a customer missed the busiest day, it's not too late.
Holiday shoppers have until Dec. 20 to send First-Class cards and letters, and Dec. 21 to send Priority Mail packages.
For those last-minute shoppers, the Postal Service recommends Dec.22 as the last day to mail Express Mail packages. Express Mail boxes and envelopes are available online at usps.com and at local Post Offices.
In order to skip the trip to the Post Office, a visit to usps.com is just the ticket.
"Customers can pay for postage, print a shipping label and ask for a carrier to pick it up, all from a home or office computer," said USPS Spokesman David Rupert. "There are even discounts and freebies for those who use this service."
By the Numbers:
- 18 Billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and New Years
- 365 million of those will be parcels
- Busiest Day – Dec 17 – about 658 million pieces of mail will be in our system
- 2 Million people will visit a Post Office on Dec. 17.
- More than 1.2 million people a day go to usps.com to buy postage, order free boxes, and look up ZIP Codes
Upcoming Deadlines
Dec 20 – First Class letters
Dec 21 – Priority Mail parcels
Dec. 22 – Express Mail
From the U.S. Postal Service
