San Antonio Post Office Ready for Busiest Mailing Day

Help for Harried Shoppers’ Shipping Needs

San Antonio, TX — 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 San Antonio Postmaster Steven Hernández.

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

Locally, Plant Manager Bruno Tristan expects to cancel approximately 1.3 million mail pieces on December 15th which is the Plant’s heaviest volume day of the year.  At present, the Plant is running approximately 16% below volume of last year; however, the overall average daily volume has been 8 million pieces processed per day.  “Next week, parcel volume will double as compared to November weekly numbers, and the Plant which normally processes 500,000 parcels per week, will process 1 million parcels during the week of December 13th -19th, even with the 16% reduction projected,” says Tristan.

A temporary warehouse has been opened in Schertz, TX, to accommodate the extra parcel volume and allied operations associated with our peak season. The warehouse opened December 10th and will operate until December 24th.

“During the busiest time of year, we know that customers want more choice and convenience,” says Postmaster Hernández.  “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 is available free of charge at your local Post Office, or by telephone at: 1-800-STAMP-24, or online at www.usps.com/shippingsupplies.

“Our eco-friendly Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes may be the best bargain in shipping,” says Hernández.  “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. 20th, will arrive in time for Christmas.

The Postal Service provides a money-back guarantee that all Express Mail sent by Dec. 23rd, 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 your local Post Office.

“The easiest way to alleviate holiday stress this year is to do all of your shipping online at usps.com,” says Hernández.  “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 Yuletide season. Give it to us, we’ll get it there.”