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The leaves are turning, the weather is changing, and the holiday season is right around the corner. With unprecedented supply chain issues and shipping delays, getting your gifts in the mail sooner rather than later is crucial this year. The United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and UPS have released their 2021 deadlines for getting mail sent domestically and overseas to arrive in time for the busy season.
If you're shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Nov. 28–Dec. 6), Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1), or other holiday traditions, find the recommended domestic and military deadlines in the tables below. The earlier you send, the better. Don't delay. Mail and ship today!
The fastest way to send mail through USPS is Priority Express mail. The domestic cutoff date for that service is Dec. 23, but to take advantage of this service when sending to a military installation overseas, the mail must be sent by Dec. 16 for it to arrive on time. FedEx and UPS do not deliver to service members stationed overseas.
If you're planning on sending letters, cards, and other packages under 13 ounces, then First-class mail is one of the cheapest and fastest options. Those packages should be mailed no later than Dec. 17 domestically and Dec. 9 for overseas military installations. Priority mail is first-class mail weighing more than 13 ounces, and it must be sent by Dec. 18 domestically and Dec. 9 for overseas shipping. Please note that Parcel Airlift Mail and Space Available Mail are no longer available.
Please check the USPS website directly for information about shipping specific items such as lithium batteries overseas.
Importance of shipping before the deadline
Over the past couple of years, the USPS has struggled to meet demand. In August, USPS announced its standard for first-class mail delivery was met 83.6 percent of the time throughout the quarter ending June 30, in comparison to its 88.9 percent performance during the same period in 2020.
Additionally, USPS reported a loss of $3 billion for the quarter ending June 30, compared with the $2.2 billion in the previous year. As a result, a slowdown in service has been included in the Postal Service's 10-year strategic plan, which was announced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy this past March.
So, keep the current situation at USPS in mind when sending your packages. Just because you send it on time does not guarantee that it will arrive on time.
| Date Taken: | 10.28.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.28.2021 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 412044 |
| Location: | CLEVELAND, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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