The United States Postal Service is ready to shine during the holiday shopping season.
That was the feeling shared by USPS Regional Spokesman Mark Inglett in a recent interview with KVOE News. Inglett says USPS is fully geared up for a holiday season that is projected to see record levels of online shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inglett says the postal service has brought in additional seasonal employees to help manage the surge in shipments and deliveries. Additionally, Inglett says several USPS sites across the country will be offering Sunday hours for shipping packages to loved ones throughout the holidays.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, Inglett says there is also an option for those who may not want to go to the post office in person. He says the Postal Service offers a convenient tool to help make the process a little easier.
Inglett says USPS workers often enjoy the holiday delivery season as it offers more opportunities to interact with local community members. However, due to social distancing guidelines, Inglett says the Postal Service is making a simple request of residents this year.
Rather than coming out to meet USPS workers, Inglett requests residents simply give workers a “friendly wave from the window” and allow them to place packages on the porch to reduce the chance of COVID-19 spread.
2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery
by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office
addresses*:
Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 9 — 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 services
Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
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
