Tampa's Postmaster releases important holiday shipping dates

Holiday shipping deadlines

FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer talked with staff at the Tampa Post Office as they gear up for a busy week.

TAMPA, Fla. - Holiday shopping is in full swing in the Bay Area.

To get loved ones their gifts by Christmas using Ground Advantage or First Class, USPS suggests shipping packages by Wednesday, Dec. 18.

People mail packages.

Customers using priority mail should send their packages by Thursday, Dec. 19.

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Any last-minute items should be sent using priority mail express by Saturday, Dec. 21.

Tampa's post offices are on pace to top last year's delivery numbers.

Postmaster James Chambers said workers have handled about 466,000 deliveries since Dec. 1, a 13% increase from last year.

Chambers expects between 90,000 and 100,000 packages to be mailed next week.

USPS signs for priority mail.

"It's a challenging time of year for us," Chambers said. "We always try and staff up well (and) prepare our carriers."

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Chambers also recommended that customers use informed delivery if they're shipping an expensive or valuable item and that they try to make sure someone is available to receive the package at its destination.

According to the US Postal Service, some national changes this year, including new vehicles, more precise operating systems, and hundreds of new package sorting machines, have helped postal workers handle the increased load.

USPS, however, expects to hire only a few seasonal workers because the agency has been able to stabilize its workforce during the year.

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