Post offices around the Treasure Valley are slammed with customers who’ve turned from shopping to shipping.
This holiday season, postal workers in Southern Idaho project to deliver a record 1.7 million packages, a 20 percent increase compared to last year.
According to USPS District Manager Darrell Stoke, the strategy for handling the holiday surge includes delivering packages seven days a week through Christmas in larger cities, and early morning deliveries in some locations.
On Dec. 14 alone, the Postal Service projects to process 612 million pieces of mail nationwide.
"It's a busy time for us, but it's also a very rewarding time for our employees, who enjoy going the extra mile for their customers to ensure all those holiday cards and packages are delivered on-time - this is 'our season'," said Stoke.
Here are the recommended mail-by dates to ensure those cards and packages reach their destination before Christmas:
International:
Dec. 8-17 for Priority Mail Express International Service - depending on destination
Dec. 19 for Global Express Guaranteed Service
Military Mail-by Dates:
Dec. 17 for Priority Mail Express Military Service
U.S. Mail-by Dates:
Dec. 15 for Standard Post
Dec. 19 for First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 for Priority Mail
Dec. 23 for Priority Mail Express
Customer are encouraged to go online to usps.com/holiday for information on holiday shipping dates, print shipping labels, schedule a Free Package Pickup, download the USPS mobile app, and more.
