Dec. 15 to Be Busiest Mailing Day of Year at Utah Post Offices

Two Million Cards and Packages Expected

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Post Offices are expecting more than two million cards and packages to be mailed on Monday, Dec. 15, the busiest mailing day of the year. Fully-staffed Post Offices will greet customers, and postal managers will be in lobbies to answer customer questions and provide assistance.

The following Utah Post Offices will be extending hours on Saturday, Dec 13 and Dec. 20:

• Ogden Main Post Office (3680 Pacific Ave.) – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Provo Main (95 W. 100 S.) – 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• St. George Red Rocks (1150 E. Riverside Drive) – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following Salt Lake City Post Offices will maintain their regular scheduled extended Saturday hours:

• Foothill Station (2255 Sunnyside Ave) 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Murray Station (4989 State Street) 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Customers are encouraged to mail early and conveniently using usps.com, Free Package Pickup and Automated Postal Centers. There are also 21 full service Contract Post Offices in the state (see list of locations below). To find the nearest postal location, call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or online at usps.com and click on “Locate a Post Office.”

Virtually all of the services found at a Post Office are available from the comfort of home at usps.com, including Click-N-Ship and Free Package Pickup, where customers can print mailing labels with postage for Priority Mail, Express Mail, and international packages using their debit or credit card. Customers can then request a free pickup of their packages by their letter carrier the next day. Not only will those shipping online save some precious gas and time, they’ll also enjoy discounts of up to 11 percent off regular Post Office prices.

The Postal Service offers three sizes of free eco-friendly flat-rate boxes that take the weight and distance out of mailing. Using a Large Priority Mail Flat Rate box (12" x 12" x 5 ½"), customers can ship up to 70 pounds, to any U.S. location for $12.95 ($12.50 with online discount). And there’s a $2 discount when shipping the large flat rate box to an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address. The flat-rate boxes are available at any Post Office, by phone at 1-800-527-1950, and online at usps.com/shop.

Automated Postal Centers are located in the lobbies of 29 Utah Post Offices, making buying stamps and mailing holiday packages convenient and 24/7. The self-service kiosks are easy to use, and accept credit and debit cards.

“We know time is scarce during the holidays, so we’re working hard to make our products and services convenient for our customers,” said Salt Lake District Manager Ken McArthur.

Customers are encouraged to use Priority Mail through Dec. 20, and Express Mail through Dec. 23. Last-minute packages can be delivered Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – via Express Mail. For international packages, use Global Express Guaranteed service through Dec. 19.

Holiday mailing tips:

• When preparing your package for mailing, use a strong, sturdy box, available at Post Offices.
• Never guess at a ZIP Code — Find ZIP Codes online at usps.com or by phone at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
• Package the contents of your parcel tightly and securely; using newspaper, bubble wrap or other cushioning available at your Post Office. Package cookies, fruitcake, and food items in leak-proof containers or secure protective wrapping.
• Seal your package with strong, reinforced packing tape. Do NOT use paper or string on the outside of the package. They can get tangled in mail processing equipment.
• Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or go online at usps.com, to get the holiday customer service hours of local Post Offices, purchase holiday stamps, print postage-paid mailing labels, request a Free Package Pickup, check rates, and more.
• Print addresses clearly. Include all address elements, including apartment numbers, suite numbers, and directional information. Print return address in the upper left corner.
• The best time for taking your packages directly to the Post Office for mailing is mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
• Package senders are encouraged to purchase Delivery Confirmation service and Insurance.
• Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.
• For holiday cards and letters, the Post Office offers several colorful 42-cent Holiday stamps including Holiday Nutcrackers, Madonna & Child, Eid, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Contract Post Offices are full service alternate access points that sell Post Office services at Post Office prices.