Time is running out to get your gifts and holiday cards sent by Christmas and Hanukkah -- that's why Monday is the busiest shipping day of the year for USPS.
The US Postal Service estimates there to be about 750 million packages delivered from Thanksgiving to New Year's. That's up 12 percent from 2015.
It's the busiest mailing day of the year. Check in w/ the mayhem @MartinCityMO @USPS @41actionnews #postoffice pic.twitter.com/PStUxXo0Nm
— Belinda Post (@Belinda_Post) December 19, 2016
Employees in Martin City don't work 24 hours a day, but they do ship out even on Sundays. That's part of the work they do for Amazon.
"There are plenty of hours. Some days we are working 10 - 12 hours a day. We get a lot of packages and when the weather changes, it increases the hours," said Robert Harris, customer service manager at Martin City Post Office.
At the downtown post office, they do have people working 24 hours.
Thursday, December 22 is expected to be the busiest delivery day.
If you're looking to avoid crowded lobbies, you can pre-pay for a shipping label, print it off and request for a free pickup. That's what 3 million people are doing this holiday season.
Mail-by Dates (provided by USPS)
Holiday cards and packages destined for military addresses in Iraq/Afghanistan/Middle East should have been in the mail by Dec. 2. Priority Mail Express Military Service is available to all other military addresses and should be mailed no later than Dec. 16. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the USPS offers a $2 discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes.
Suggested mail-by dates for cards and packages destined for U.S. addresses are: Dec. 20 for First-Class Mail, Dec. 21 for Priority Mail, and Dec. 23 for Priority Mail Express.
Mailing tips, mail-by dates and more can be found online at usps.com/holiday.
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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.
