Deadlines for your holiday mail to arrive by Christmas Day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you still have some holiday packages to send out, now is the time to start planning when you’re gonna send them. You’ve still got a few more days!

Action News Jax spoke to James Smith while he was waiting in line at the U.S. Postal Service office and distribution center on King Street. He said he was sending a couple of packages to his loved ones out of state.

“I’ve got a package going to my older brother and his family and parents,” he said. “And a big package going to two kids that live in Brooklyn.”

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“Clothing and cookies and stuff like that,” he added.

Also getting sorted and shipped: thousands and thousands of letters.

USPS has estimated it will process and deliver 12 billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

Smith understands how busy it can get, and said he’s going with the flow when it comes to deadlines.

“It’d be nice if it got there before Christmas but I understand that everything is a little bit slow,” he pointed out. “I’m not stressed at all, they’ll get it when they get it.”

But if your Christmas deadline is a little stricter, these are the dates you need to follow so your letter or package arrives before Saturday, Dec. 25:

USPS Delivery Options

• Thursday, Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express

UPS Delivery Options

• Tuesday, Dec. 21: 3-Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 22: 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 23: Next-Day Air

FedEx Delivery Options

• Tuesday, Dec. 21: 3-Day Friday, Express Saver
• Wednesday, Dec. 22: 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 23: Next-Day Air
• Friday, Dec. 24: Same-Day

Jomcy Thoms, who shipped off a gift to her friend at the USPS, has this word of advice:

“Usually this time of the year, it’s kind of busy so it would be nice if you have time to prepare,” she said. “Or maybe they are waiting for the last moment,” she acknowledged with a chuckle.

To save some time in line and prepare, you can create your own prepaid shipping label through services like USPS’ Click-N-Ship.

This includes delivery confirmation numbers to track date and time of delivery.

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But if you have any questions, there are sure to be friendly Christmas helpers working at local post offices to guide you along the way.

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