KANSAS CITY, Mo. — From now until the end of the year, the United States Postal Service estimates it will send out roughly 20.5 million packages a day.
During the peak, from Dec. 16 through the Dec. 21, USPS is prepared to deliver more than 28 million packages a day.
At the Kansas City, Missouri, plant, USPS spokesman, Mark Inglett says to meet the high demand, they've hired roughly 300 temporary workers and updated routes.
"We've actually done some readjustments on our routes to make it easier to get the packages delivered," Inglett said.
With the several pieces of mail being delivered every day, Inglett says there are a few tips to help out mail carriers to ensure their safety, and to make sure packages are delivered to your door with ease.
"We'll have people out delivering packages early in the morning and we'll also have people delivering packages after the routes, so some of the things that would really help us is just to keep the porch lights on," Inglett said. "Keep the animals inside at all times, even during delivery hours. And when it snows, if you could keep a clear path in your mailbox that would not only keep it safe for your, but for us to get to the mailbox as well."
Inglett also encourages homeowners to keep their mailboxes cleared out and remove any vehicles that may be blocking the mailbox.
In an effort to keep packages safe and delivered on time, USPS has a tracking system for customers to see where and when they're package will be delivered.
If you're missing mail that hasn't been delivered by its expected delivery date, and it's been at least seven days, here's what you can do:
- Submit a Missing Mail search request at MissingMail.USPS.com
- File a claim
- Contact the USPS® directly by either visiting your local Post Office™ location or calling your local Consumer Affairs office at 1-800-275-8777
For tips on protecting packages during the holidays, click here.
Here are 2019 holiday shipping deadlines:
· Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
· Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
· Dec. 14 — USPS Retail Ground
· Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO USPS Priority Mail Express
· Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
· Dec. 20 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
· Dec. 21 — Priority Mail
· Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express
