Barrow: Follow These Holiday Shipping Deadlines to Deliver Gifts On Time

Millions of Americans -- including Barrow shoppers -- will rely on the carrier services of the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx to deliver their holiday parcels, but the final call for shipments to arrive by Dec. 25 is fast approaching.

To ensure your gifts aren’t left out in the cold, adhere to these shipping deadlines and guidelines from the U.S. Post Office, UPS and Federal Express.

USPS

The U.S. Postal Service will deliver an estimated 15.5 billion parcels between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, and expects to process 640 million pieces of mail on Dec. 15 alone.

With service running seven days a week this year in some metro areas, the USPS guarantees delivery by Christmas for cards postmarked by Monday, Dec. 15. Packages shipped through Standard Post by Dec. 15, First-Class or Priority Mail by Dec. 20 and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 23 will also arrive in time for the holiday.

Though the deadline for standard international delivery has passed, USPS offers two express shipping options--Priority Mail Express and Global Express Guaranteed--that accommodate shipments made between Dec. 14 and Dec. 19 depending on the destination.

Find nearby USPS offices online.

FedEx

Packages sent through FedEx Home Delivery or FedEx Ground must be shipped by Wednesday, Dec. 17.

For those who can’t make the standard post deadline, the carrier offers several express options. FedEx Express Saver ensures Christmas delivery on packaged sent by Saturday, Dec. 20, FedEx 2Day by Monday, Dec. 22, and FedEx Overnight by Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Visit the FedEx locator to find the closest store near you.

UPS

While specific shipping timelines vary by origin and destination, UPS recommends standard, domestic ground shipments be made by Monday, Dec. 15 to be delivered in time for Christmas.

Expedited shipping options such as UPS 3 Day Select and 2nd Day Air can deliver shipments to your loved ones if postmarked by Dec. 22 or Dec. 23.

UPS shipments sent to P.O. Box addresses are not covered by a service guarantee, however, and may be delayed.

Identify the nearest UPS drop-off location online.

The package arrived on time, but not in one piece.

With the stress of getting items to the post office on time, don’t forget to pack your boxes carefully.

Protect fragile items with bubble wrap or crumpled kraft paper, use new or almost new corrugated cardboard boxes and seal every seam with sturdy package tape to ensure precious cargo remains secure.

Patch file photo

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