Community Corner

What Are USPS Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages?

The U.S. Postal Service and UPS Store in Chelsea offer tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.

Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all across the country and the world?

If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early you must buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they leave Walpole and get to their destination in time for the holidays.

Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece:

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Packing tips from the USPS:

  • Double-check addresses & write legibly
  • Shake boxes to make sure they’re well packed
  • Priority Mail is fast for last minute gifts
  • Express Mail is even faster

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail

Calculated for Dec. 25, 2012.

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Domestic Mail Class/Product

Dates

First-Class Mail® Service

Dec. 20

Priority Mail® Service

Dec. 21

Express Mail® Service

Dec. 22

Parcel Post® Service

Dec. 14

Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship

Dec. 19

Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship

Dec. 21


Holiday Dates for International Mail

Destination

Global Express Guaranteed® Service

Express Mail® Service

Priority Mail® Service

First-Class Mail®

International Service

Africa

Dec. 19

Dec. 11

Dec. 3

Dec. 3

Asia / Pacific Rim

Dec. 18

Dec. 15

Dec. 10

Dec. 10

Australia / New Zealand

Dec. 18

Dec. 15

Dec. 10

Dec. 10

Canada

Dec. 20

Dec. 17

Dec. 13

Dec. 10

Caribbean

Dec. 19

Dec. 15

Dec. 13

Dec. 10

Central & South America

Dec. 19

Dec. 11

Dec. 3

Dec. 3

Mexico

Dec. 20

Dec. 15

Dec. 10

Dec. 10

Europe

Dec. 19

Dec. 15

Dec. 13

Dec. 10

Middle East

Dec. 19

Dec. 15

Dec. 13

Dec. 10

Click here for send-by dates for military mail.

For last-minute shoppers, the UPS Store in Chelsea will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. From Dec. 17 through Dec. 21, the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Store Manager Devak Patel said customers who want to ensure their package arrives for Christmas should plan to mail it no later than the weekend prior to the holiday. The store also offers next day delivery for a special fee.

"We usually see a lot of traffic the week before Christmas," Patel said. "It's a good time for us."

For a pricing schedule on all packages, visit http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/4822/.


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