It’s Not Too Late to Mail Those Holiday Packages

Haven’t mailed those holiday gifts yet? There’s still time, but you better get busy. Postal customers are encouraged to use Priority Mail through Saturday Dec. 20, and Express Mail overnight service through Dec. 23. Only Santa and the Postal Service (Express Mail) will deliver on Christmas Day.

Using Global Express Guaranteed Service, international mail can be sent as late as Dec. 22 to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean – Dec. 19 to all other countries.

Don’t let cold weather stand in the way. Put down the car keys and do yourself and the environment a favor – ship from home this holiday season. Not only will you save some precious gas and time, you’ll also enjoy discounts of up to 11 percent off regular Post Office prices.

Using Click-N-Ship at usps.com, customers can print postage-paid mailing labels for Express Mail, Priority Mail and International Mail, apply them to packages, and request a free package pickup the next day by their letter carrier. Delivery Confirmation, a 65-cent value, is free when mailing online.

“Get your Express Mail to us by Dec. 22, and we’ll deliver it by Christmas, guaranteed; Dec. 23 when shipping to larger cities,” said Wichita Postmaster Mark Talbott. Customers are encouraged to visit usps.com/express for Express Mail overnight destinations, mailing times and rates, or call 1-800-ASK-USPS or 1-800-275-8777.

Gifts sent by Express Mail receive a money-back guarantee, are automatically insured for $100, and include signed proof of delivery and tracking information. Free environmentally-friendly Express Mail packages and envelopes are available online at usps.com and at your local Post Office.

Express Mail Service is available 24/7 using self-service Automated Postal Centers in the lobbies of three Wichita Post Offices. Those offices are: Corporate Hills, 9350 E. Corporate Hills Drive, Downtown, 2nd & Waco, and the General Mail Facility near the airport. These self-service kiosks are easy and convenient to use with a credit card or debit card.

Express Mail rates are determined by weight and distance, and start at $12.60 for up to a half-pound. Put as much as fits inside an Express Mail Flat Rate envelope, regardless of weight, for only $16.50. And the Postal Service never adds a fuel surcharge. The Holiday and Sunday fee will apply for Christmas Day.

# # #

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.