USPS Employees give advice on holiday shipping this season

Shipping Deadlines

DELMARVA – The holidays are here, and that means many on Delmarva are racing to the post office this week ahead of the holidays, and experts who give some advice about how to ship smart this season.

Deadlines

Are you sending gifts this holiday season?  If so, you may want to make your way to the nearest post office. “I am confident, if you get your packages in the mail, today, tomorrow, Saturday, that we’re going to get them to the local region in time.”

Mark Wahl of the United States Postal Service says December 19th was the last day to ship priority mail, but you still have some options. “The 21st would be for our Priority Mail express that’s guaranteed in time for the holiday. However, that’s for national mailings. If you’re mailing a card, let’s say a holiday card from Delmarva to Delmarva it’s going to get there within a day or two.”

Distribution

Mark says they can handle shipping just about anything, but common mistakes like incorrect postage can stall the shipping process. “We are prepared, no matter what it is, no matter how small a letter, or how large, it’s going to be treated the same, it’s going to get there on its recommended mailing dates… So, make sure you have the name the correct Street, the number, the city, the state and the zip code. That is the biggest concern we find.”

Delivery

Dana James has been a mail carrier for over 30 years. He says with new technology packages aren’t damaged as often and get delivered successfully. “We now have these scanners this GPS. It can tell a computer just where I’m tracking at. Whether I’m in my vehicle or I’m inside the building. So it is pinpoint location to where we scan those packages, and it has cut down tremendously on mis-delivery.”

Diversity

For those who like to match the stamp with the message, Wahl says they have something for everyone. “We do have holiday stamps. Mother and Child, we have Hannukah, we have Kwanzaa, we have them throughout the year to recognize the diversity we have.” 

Destination

So, no matter which way you decide to ship, the point is, you better do it soon. If you have any questions about how long, it will take to send or receive your packages, visit their website and plug in your mailing destination points, to see where you stand.