Shipping deadlines quickly approaching

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 22, 2015

: BUSY SEASON: UPS Store associate Patti Robinson prepares a package Friday at the store.

Santa does not deliver mail, just toys, so for those who need to get packages or letters sent before Christmas, deadlines are approaching.

The U.S. Postal Service website states the deadline for all Standard Postal Service is Dec. 15. If one does not want to pay extra postage for Christmas cards, that leaves 23 days.

Other deadlines to mail are Dec. 19 for first-class mail, Dec. 21 for Priority Mail Service and Dec. 23 for Priority Mail Express Service.

If you plan to mail holiday packages overseas the deadline for standard shipping has already passed, but the following dates are suggested to get packages there on time.

The Space Available Mail (SAM) deadline is Wednesday, Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) is Dec. 3 priority mail is Dec. 10 and first-class letters and cards is Dec. 10.

The Priority Mail Express Military Service deadline is Dec. 17.

The Vicksburg Post Office is located at 3415 Pemberton Square Blvd. and hours for operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Local UPS store clerk, Deborah Brooks, said all ground packages mailed through their facility must be sent out a week ahead of its scheduled delivery.

“Correct addresses, zip codes and names,” Brooks said, will help make sure the package arrives on time.

Deadlines offered through the UPS store for mailing packages at the last minute are Dec. 18 for 3-day select, Dec. 21 and 22 for 2nd Day Air and Dec. 23 for Next-Day Air Service.

There are some items not allowed for shipping, Brooks said.

“You cannot send batteries, firearms, liquids, nothing hazardous or alcohol,” she said.

The local UPS store is located at 3412 Pemberton Square Blvd. #2 and the hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 601-634-8020.

For more information on holiday shipping and tracking through the U.S. Postal service, visit usps.com/holiday.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

More by Terri Cowart