Indiana Post Offices Ready for Busiest Mailing Day

Help for Harried Shoppers’ Shipping Needs

INDIANAPOLIS, IN —As the U.S. Postal Service gears up for its busiest holiday mailing day of the season, shoppers are scrambling to send their holiday gifts and cards.

“For last-minute shoppers, the Postal Service offers quick, easy and convenient shipping choices,” says Al Eakle, a spokesman for the Greater Indiana District of the U.S. Postal Service.

The Postal Service expects to deliver 19 billion letters, packages and cards nationwide between Thanksgiving and Christmas. the busiest mailing day is expected to be Monday, Dec. 15, when 960 million cards and letters will be processed nationwide, nearly double the average daily volume. The busiest delivery day will be Wednesday, Dec. 17.

“During the busiest time of year, we know that customers want more choice and convenience,” says Eakle. “With the holidays just around the corner, the Postal Service provides more options for your last-minute shipping needs than anyone else.”

A new, larger Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12” x 12” x 5 ½”) is available. Priority Mail boxes are available free of charge at Indiana Post Offices, online at www.usps.com/shippingsupplies, or by telephone at 1-800-STAMP-24.

“Our eco-friendly Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes may be the best bargain in shipping,” says Eakle. “You can ship anything that fits, up to 70 pounds, to any destination in the United States. Just make sure the items fit without altering the shape or size of the box.” Priority Mail sent by Dec. 20 will arrive in time for Christmas.

The Postal Service provides a money-back guarantee that all Express Mail sent by Dec. 23 will be delivered by Christmas Day. Gifts sent by Express Mail are automatically insured for $100. Free Express Mail packages and envelopes are available online at usps.com and at the local Post Office.

“The easiest way to alleviate holiday stress this year is to do all of your shipping online at usps.com,” says Eakle. “You can print postage and shipping labels directly from your computer with Click-N-Ship. We offer price savings when you ship online and you get free Delivery Confirmation when you use Click-N-Ship. Plus, you can schedule free package pickup online as well, so you can do all of your shipping without leaving your home.”

And the Postal Service never adds a fuel surcharge. Skip the trip and save fuel this Yule. “Give it to us,” Eakle said, “and we’ll get it there.”

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.