How to Mail Holiday Packages with Care

With 12 billion cards, letters and packages expected to be delivered this holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service has some tips to help get gifts to their destination swiftly and safely.

“The Postal Service is making it easier to ship packages to family and friends this season,” said Customer Relations Coordinator Linda Neill. “Proper addressing and proper packaging will help us give every gift the service it deserves.”

To help customers enjoy a successful shipping season, Neill will demonstrate package preparation and offer timely shipping tips and advice.

Who:

Linda Neill, U.S. Postal Service

When:

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 10:00 – 11:00am

Where:

Colorado Springs Post Office
201 E Pikes Peak Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-9900

Background:

“Now is the time to mail your holiday greetings and packages to make sure they reach their intended destination in time for holiday gatherings and celebrations,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “This will be the busiest week of mailing and shipping across the nation, but there is a spirit of excitement throughout the organization and our entire team is working around the clock to deliver the holidays for the nation.”

Video remarks from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on the Postal Service’s holiday shipping progress are available here or on the USPS Newsroom: https://media.usps.com/videos/usps-holiday-delivery-message-2021/

Here are some helpful packaging tips to have a successful shipping season:

• Select a durable box to protect the contents. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes are free at local Post Office locations.
• Do NOT reuse boxes — they weaken in the shipping process.
• Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or “foam peanuts” so they do not shift during transit.
• Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same box.
• Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately.
• Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items are shifting, add more cushioning.
• Mark packages "Fragile" in large print on the outside of the box when shipping materials that might be more likely to break.
• When re-using a box make sure previous labels and markings are covered before mailing.
• Mark "Perishable" on packages that contain food or other items that can spoil.
• Place an extra address label with the delivery and return address inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.
• Always use tape designed for sealing shipping boxes. Do not use string, cellophane and masking tape to seal packages.

2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

• Dec. 9 – Overseas Military Mail
• Dec. 17 – First-Class Mail (greetings cards and letters)
• Dec. 18 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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