VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The deadline is quickly approaching to mail packages and have them arrive before Christmas.
News 3 caught up with customers at the post office on George Mason Drive in Virginia Beach, where it was a bit too crowded for some.
“The post office was very busy. I came to mail a package and will come back later or go online. Too many people for me,” said Patty Furco.
Because of COVID-19 regulations, customers are required to wear a mask inside, and a limited number of people are allowed in the lobby. At the George Mason Drive location, the maximum number is 10.
If you choose to try online, you can go to the “Click ‘n’ Ship” site to print labels and buy stamps. You can also sign up for a free service called “Informed Delivery.” It’s where the U.S. Postal Service will e-mail you a digital preview of what’s headed to your mailbox.
Kathy Davis says her friend has the Informed Delivery service and finds it helpful.
“She knows what’s coming to her mailbox,” said Davis. “She loves it because they do a lot of traveling, so she’ll send me down there to look at her mail or go through it if she knows that something important is coming.”
The deadlines from USPS are listed below:
2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses*:
- Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
- Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
- Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
- Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
- Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
- Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
