SOUTH CAROLINA – The coronavirus pandemic will change how many of us exchange gifts with loved ones in South Carolina this year. As of Nov. 25, there have been 4,015 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 197,652 confirmed cases in the Palmetto State, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS expect that more holiday gifts and greetings will be sent through the mail this year, as families and friends will hold virtual celebrations instead of opening gifts in person.
If you’re planning to ship any holiday packages this holiday season, don’t wait until the last minute! The major shipping carriers continue to encourage customers to send their holiday gifts and cards early. This year is certainly no different.
U.S. Postal Service Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days
The busiest time of the season peaks two weeks before Christmas, when much of the last-minute shopping starts. Customer traffic is expected to increase beginning Dec. 7, with the week of Dec. 14-21 predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week.
Skip the Trip and Ship Online
Consumers don’t have to leave home to ship their packages. In these socially distant times, they can simply visit usps.com or use the Click-N-Ship feature for help shipping that holiday gift, ordering free Priority Mail boxes, printing shipping labels, purchasing postage and even requesting free next-day Package Pickup. And usps.com is always open.
2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses*:
- 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
Alaska
- Dec. 18 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. First-Class Mail
- Dec. 19 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. Priority Mail
- Dec. 21 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. Priority Mail Express
Hawaii
- Dec. 15 — Hawaii to/from mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 21 — Hawaii to/from mainland Priority Mail Express
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
This holiday season, FedEx will be working hard to keep up with more shipments than ever. The shipping carrier is advising customers to allow plenty of time to help ensure their deliveries arrive when they want them to.
To make sure your packages arrive in time for Christmas, see FedEx’s shipping deadlines below:
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
Like the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx, UPS is also gearing for an increase in package volume that it expects to last into Jan. 2021.
“We’re preparing for a record peak holiday season. The COVID-19 pandemic has made our services more important than ever,” said Charlene Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer.
If you’re using UPS to make sure your holiday packages arrive to their destination in time for Christmas, make sure you send it by these dates.*
Dec.15 UPS® Ground
Dec. 21 UPS 3 Day Select®
Dec. 22 UPS 2nd Day Air®
Dec. 23 UPS Next Day Air®
Dec. 25 UPS Closed on Christmas Day (UPS Express Critical® is available)
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