HOUSTON (KIAH) — Christmas is just around the corner. This means it’s time to start shipping gifts to your loved ones if you haven’t already.
The U.S. Postal Service and UPS say they are confident that anything you want to send will get to its destination by Christmas – as long as you meet the deadlines.
In the words of singer Andy Williams, it’s the most wonderful time of year for many people. But for some, it can also be stressful when it comes to shipping packages. There are some key dates for anyone planning to mail a gift this Christmas.
For a Christmas delivery via USPS, ground service mail needs to be at the post office by Dec. 15. For first-class, it’s Dec. 17, and for priority mail, it’s Dec. 18. Express shipping services can be mailed out two days before Christmas.
The postal service expects 25 billion letters, cards and packages to pass through its system from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
USPS said it has been preparing for this holiday season since last year during the pandemic. In 2020, many people experienced delays with their packages, with some packages taking as long as three weeks to a month to ship.
UPS said 95% of its packages are delivered on time. This year, it expects an influx due to online shopping, so it’s better to ship early.
The shipping deadlines for UPS vary by location. For FedEx, it’s Dec. 15. All carriers also emphasize the importance of using correct spellings and numbers. Such mistakes could delay delivery.
