Postal Service Offers Holiday Mailing Dates

Holiday stamps. Photo courtesy of USPS.

By Sonia Isotov

In order for letters, cards, and packages to reach their Christmas destinations in time, the US Postal Service (USPS) has announced suggested holiday mailing dates specific to Hawaii.

The suggested mailing dates are Dec. 10 for first-class and Priority mail headed to international and overseas military destinations, and Dec. 19 for First-Class and Priority Mail headed to the mainland. Procrastinators have until Dec. 21 to send their holiday cheer to the mainland via expedited Express Mail service.

Dates apply to mail received by each Post Office’s cutoff time.

* Express Mail military service available to selected military Post Offices. Some Express Mail destinations may have extended service commitments. Check with your local Post Office to determine availability.
** Express Mail international service is available to 190 countries, with delivery in an average of 3-5 business days.
*** Africa and Central America: Send First Class/Priority Mail by Dec.1 and Express Mail by Dec. 10.

The USPS has also compiled a list of Post Offices that will feature extended hours of operation during the holidays and customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS or go to USPS.com and click on “Locate a Post Office” in the tool bar to determine specific hours of operation of specific Post Offices.

Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box. Photo courtesy of USPS.

Here are some time- and money-saving tips offered by the USPS:

• Save $$$ with FLAT RATE BOXES: Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are the best deal around. Customers can send up to 70 pounds in Medium Flat Rate Boxes to domestic locations for only $10.95. An even better deal is the Large Flat Rate Box, which holds 50% more (with the same 70-pound limit) for only $14.95, and features the tagline “Seasons Greetings from Hawaii” printed on its side. And, to support our military troops overseas, up to 70 pounds can be shipped in the military Large Flat Rate Box to APO and FPO locations for only $12.95.
• Save $$$ with ONLINE DISCOUNTS: Pay for postage and print out mailing label at USPS.com and save up to 14% off of over-the-counter rates and receive FREE Delivery Confirmation. Discounted rates are available for Priority, Express and International mailings. Examples: Discounted Medium Flat Rate Boxes sent domestically are $10.50; Large Flat Rate Boxes sent domestically are $14.20; military APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Boxes are $12.20.
• FREE package pickup: Skip the trip to the Post Office during the holidays. After printing out the mailing labels for packages at USPS.com, notify us at usps.com/pickup that they’re ready to be picked up. A mail carrier will be alerted and will pick up the packages from the customers’ home or office, usually the next business day. There is no extra charge for this service.
• FREE packaging: Priority Mail and Express Mail envelopes and packages, including Flat Rate boxes, are available for FREE at the local Post Office.