The holidays might not be so jolly — for you or your loved ones — if you don’t get your packages mailed in time.
United States Postal Service Manager of Strategic Communications Mark Inglett is urging people to ship early.
Inglett calls the holidays “our time to shine,” and he says the Postal Service prepares for the holiday surge all year.
Inglett says over 12 billion holiday mail pieces were delivered last year.
The Postal Service deadlines for the contiguous 48 states are as follows:
*Dec. 18 — Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail
*Dec. 19 — Priority Mail
*Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express
For Alaska and Hawaii:
*Dec. 16 — Ground Advantage
*Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail
*Dec. 19 — Priority Mail
*Dec. 20 — Priority Mail Express
International and military shipping dates vary, depending on the country and the service.
Regardless of the location or the shipping method, Inglett also asks residents to take steps to track those deliveries, either by email or text.
