Here’s what you need to know when sending your holiday packages

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — We know many of you will be hitting the stores for holiday shopping soon, and some have already started.

We are less than a month away from USPS’s holiday mailing deadlines. And there’s a lot you all should know before you pack it up, slap on that stamp and send it out.

“We’re going to be here to deliver everything; we’re going to deliver every mail and package across the country on time,” said Philip Bogenberger, communications specialist at USPS.

As always, getting your packages to the post office on time is essential.

For USPS ground advantage and first-class mail service, packages need to be mailed by Dec. 18 to arrive by Christmas.

The priority mail deadline is Dec. 19, and for priority mail express, it’s Dec. 21.

“Those are suggested mailing dates. We always encourage people to mail things early, as I always say to people. I give them advice all the time. The earlier you mail things, the more you can just sit back and enjoy the holidays,” said Bogenberger.

The post office says it’s ready for your holiday packages.

With its Delivering for America plan, the USPS has installed more than 500 high-speed package sorting machines.

“Right there in Richmond, at the plant in Richmond, there are six high-speed package sorting machines. There’s also another one at a facility at what we call our sorting and delivery center, which is the facility on Brook Road. We’re prepared across the country; we’re prepared in Richmond,” said Bogenberger. “We can handle 60 million packages a day across the country and we’re committed to every card, every package, you know, whether it’s holiday-related or not. Every mail piece is important to us,”

There are also a few tips you should keep in mind.

“I would suggest not reusing boxes just because when they’ve been through the shipping process, you want to make sure you’re using a fresh box every time, so those are some of the standard things that I would do. Also, I would suggest making sure you have the correct ZIP code; it’s better to have no ZIP code than the wrong ZIP code,” said Bogenberger.

USPS also provides free products and services, such as free boxes and free package pick-up. Visit the USPS website for more information and tips about holiday mailing.