Americans are expected taking advantage of online holiday deals. That鈥檚 great news for the U.S. Post Office, which is predicting a 20 percent jump in handling of holiday packages this year.
Last fiscal year the beleaguered agency reported losing a record $16 billion. David Rupert with the USPS in Denver says online holiday shopping is one way the U.S. Post Office hopes to make up for the recent decline in mail volume.
鈥淲e go to every single address six times a week. So it鈥檚 becoming a place for us to make up for some of the electronic bill paying that we鈥檝e lost鈥攖hat first-class mail volume,鈥� he says.
But while the volume is good news for the USPS this season, it could translate into long lines at the local post office. Rupert and the USPS are encouraging people to send their holiday gifts before the rush.
鈥淚f you absolutely have to wait until the last minute, in many places we鈥檙e delivering Express mail up to the last minute, but it will cost you,鈥� he says.
December 10 is the deadline for mail destined for military members overseas.
The other deadlines include:
- First Class letters by Dec. 21
- Priority mail by Dec. 22
- Express Mail by Dec 23
For a complete list of holiday mailing deadlines, click .