Thursday, September 18, 2025
Here’s when to send your holiday mail and packages
USPS recommends deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25
The Postal Service has recommended deadlines for the holiday mailing and shipping season.
The suggestions, released Sept. 17, are for expected delivery by Thursday, Dec. 25.
Here are the deadlines for items being sent to addresses in the lower 48 states:
· Wednesday, Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage
· Wednesday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
· Thursday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail
· Saturday, Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
Here are the deadlines for items being sent to Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories:
· Tuesday, Dec. 16: USPS Ground Advantage
· Wednesday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
· Thursday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail
· Saturday, Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
Customers sending packages internationally or to military addresses can find the complete list of recommended mailing and shipping dates at usps.com.
Packaging guidelines and information on preparing shipments, ordering free shipping supplies and local Post Office hours can be found at usps.com and on the USPS YouTube channel.
A new video showcases the Holiday Cheer stamps
The four designs were created to make the season’s greetings more festive
The Postal Service has released a video about its new Holiday Cheer stamps.
The Forever stamps feature four images: a holly wreath, three amaryllis flowers, cardinals perched on mistletoe, and an evergreen branch decorated with fruit.
The 1-minute video features Michael Elston, USPS labor relations vice president, who explains the collage technique that artist Denise Fiedler used to create the stamps.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
Employees must comply with all environmental regulations
Contact a regional environmental implementation manager to help with cooperation
The Postal Service is reminding employees to comply with all environmental regulations — and to cooperate with inspectors from any federal, state or local agency.
Detailed directions on handling inspector visits are available on Blue.
Employees should contact the Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability team if:
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or a state or local environmental regulator, visits your site to conduct an inspection, walkthrough or review.
• You are informed that such an inspection or visit is planned.
• Your facility receives a notice of violation or similar alert, such as a warning letter or request for compliance documentation, issued by the EPA or a state or local environmental agency.
USPS has two regional environmental implementation managers, Nicholas DeCarlo and Judy Wingo-Stalinger, who will assign an environmental field support specialist to assist you.
The Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability Blue page has contact information for DeCarlo and Wingo-Stalinger, as well as an overview of each region they represent.
September 25, 2025
Datebook
‘Ergonomic Solutions’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on preventing workplace injuries through physical therapy and ergonomic practices.
The session, “Ergonomic Solutions,” will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
Atlantic Area, Minnesota-North Dakota District on top in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 96.81 percent during the week ending Sept. 12, down 0.26 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected Sept. 17.
Atlantic led the four areas with a rating of 97.1 percent, while Southern ranked last with a 96.34 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Minnesota-North Dakota, part of Central Area, ranked first with a 98.22 percent rating, while Puerto Rico, part of Southern Area, ranked last with an 87.32 percent rating.
Scanning data allows customers to track their mail and packages, which helps USPS deliver excellent service, boost loyalty and drive revenue.
To see the latest data, go to the Informed Visibility website and select “Customer Experience,” followed by “DES 2 Scan Performance.” Postal Service employees must request Informed Visibility access through eAccess.
