Countdown looms to get holiday packages in mail

With only 13 days until Christmas, the Carson City Post Office continues to see increased traffic. Postmaster Jerry DePaoli offers some advice for those still hoping to get packages out in time for Christmas.

When is the deadline for someone hoping to send packages first class and have them arrive in time for Christmas?

To have them arrive in time, they need to be mailed by Wednesday for parcel post. That is also the date for packages sent using Global Priority, which goes overseas and to Canada. If you use Priority mail, it's Dec. 20 nationally and Dec. 21 for anywhere in the state.

For Express mail domestic, packages need to go out by Dec. 22 nationally and Dec. 23 for packages in Nevada.

The Postal Service is predicting that Monday will be the busiest day for us.

What about military addresses?

First class and Priority mail should have been mailed by Monday, but you can use Global Express Military Service until Dec. 19 for most APO and FPO addresses.

How is the post office handling the holiday rush, and have you encountered any problems?

We haven't seen a whole lot of problems this year. There are long lines when you come in, but they are moving faster than people expect.

A lot of people are using the automated post office, which is available 24 hours a day. Using a debit or credit card it can print postage, weigh packages, and mail them, so a lot of people are using that.

What can people do to help expedite their packages being sent?

Don't wrap packages in Christmas paper, or if you do, cover it with plain brown paper. Take the old labels off the boxes so it's clear. Only the mailing address and the return address should be on the box. Black out all the bar codes as well.

Alcohol can never be shipped, and other liquids and perishables or hazardous materials can't go air mail, so they must go first class.

What does the post office do with letters sent to Santa Claus?

We have a group of local volunteers who work with Santa to answer letters we get and forward the requests on to the North Pole. If you want your list to get to the North Pole before Christmas eve, it needs to be mailed by Monday to give us time to get it to him.

Holiday mail

Post office deadlines for

holiday packages

International/military addresses

Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 19 to most APO/FPO addresses.

Global Priority Mail:

Wednesday

Global Express Mail

international: Thursday

Global Express Mail to

Canada: Friday

Domestic

First class: Wednesday

Priority nationwide:

Dec. 20

Priority in Nevada: Dec. 21

Express nationwide: Dec. 22

Express in Nevada: Dec. 23

The main Carson City post office, 1111 S. Roop St., is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The Ormsby branch, 2613 Empire Ranch Road, is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

Information: www.usps.com or call (800) ASK-USPS.