The Postal Service expects the week of Dec. 15-21 to be the busiest of the year as employees accept, process and deliver millions of holiday cards and packages.
In a news release this week, the organization listed its preparations for the season, including:
• Installing more than 600 package sorters since 2020, including 94 this year. The machines have increased daily processing capacity to 88 million from 60 million.
• Updating service standards so that USPS can better process and deliver mail and packages within the same region. These enhancements now have a 2-day or 3-day service standard, which means local consumers and businesses can send holiday mail in a region more quickly and reliably.
• Rolling out new delivery vehicles, with more than 36,000 received so far. The organization expects to acquire a total of 106,480 new vehicles, including 66,000 zero-emission electric vehicles, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility while ensuring reliable service.
• Opening almost 200 processing facilities nationwide during the past four years, including sites in Dallas, Phoenix and other cities in 2025. The new facilities will ensure the Postal Service has the space needed to process additional holiday volume and better serve customers year-round.
• Hiring 14,000 seasonal employees — down from 40,000 just a few years ago as the organization develops a more stable workforce.
• Providing convenient and affordable products and services, such as USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
Additionally, the Postal Service has announced its holiday service schedule.
Post Offices will be closed Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1).
All Post Offices will be open, and regular mail delivery will resume, on Friday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Jan. 2.
