Smooth sailing expected for holiday mail
By: Allissa Corak
Posted: Dec 12, 2017 6:33 PM EST
If it isn't Santa bringing gifts and goodies on his sleigh, you can bet it might be one of your local mail carriers.
The United States Postal Service is estimating the delivery of 15 billion pieces of mail and more than 850 million packages this holiday season. FedEx is expecting nearly 400 million packages in volume.
The USPS says this year's anticipated numbers are a 10 percent increase over last year.
But with the trends of early and online shopping, the "busiest shipping day" no longer exists. Although, the most deliveries occur within two weeks before Christmas.
To have mail delivered on time during this very busy season, the USPS suggests these mailing dates to ensure timely delivery:
Dec. 14 USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 15 Hawaii to Mainland Priority Mail & First Class
Dec. 16 APO/FPO/DPO USPS Priority Mail Express
Dec. 16 First Class Packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 19 First Class Mail (including greeting cards)
Dec. 20 Priority Mail
Dec. 20 Hawaii to Mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 20 Alaska to Mainland Priority Mail & First Class
Dec. 21 Alaska to Mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 22 Priority Mail Express
Even with the recent inclement winter weather, companies like UPS don't expect the snow to hinder deliveries.
"We have decades of experience in delivering through rain, sleet and snow," said Dean Foust, UPS public relations. "If deliveries are interrupted, we will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so. Our planning not only focuses on our people and assets but has an eye on working with local officials and restoring service as soon as possible afterwards."
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