Start Prepping: USPS Just Announced the Last Possible Day You Can Mail Christmas Presents This Year

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It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year — and the United States Postal Service (USPS) is making sure everyone is well-prepared for giving this holiday season.

The USPS announced recommended mailing and delivery dates for holiday mail and packages in a press release issued Tuesday, Oct. 8.

In it, the company recommended shipping dates for an expected pre-Christmas delivery of Dec. 25 in the contiguous United States, detailing that USPS Ground Advantage service and First-Class Mail service must ship by Dec. 18.

Meanwhile, Priority Mail service should be completed by Dec. 19 and Priority Mail Express service by Dec. 21, according to the USPS.

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High angle view of lots of wrapped Christmas presents on a wooden table

Christmas gifts (photo).

Getty

The toddler wakes up at 3 am and unwraps all the presents under the family Christmas tree

For those sending packages from Alaska and Hawaii, the USPS said USPS Ground Advantage mail must arrive by Dec. 16, while First-Class Mail mail must be sent by Dec. 18.

Priority Mail service, meanwhile, should be completed by Dec. 19, and Priority Mail Express service must be completed by Dec. 20, the USPS added.

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For international shipments, the USPS recommends shipping a little earlier, during the early to mid-December period.

Items going to Africa, for example, should be shipped at the beginning of the month, while packages sent to nearby Canada can be held until the middle of the last month of the year.

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A close-up of a Christmas tree with baubles and Christmas cookies (Tim Macpherson / Getty Images)

Christmas tree (photo). Tim Macpherson / Getty Images Arnold Schwarzenegger on the sweet reason why he distributes Christmas presents at the local mall every year

“USPS urges customers to plan ahead and ship early this holiday season. The sooner you ship, the better; don’t delay – mail and ship today!” USPS said in a statement.

Those looking to find advice on how to prepare shipments, including packing guidelines and information on local post office hours, can do so here.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education

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