Shipping companies, U.S. Postal Service prepare for busiest holiday season yet

Metro area post offices won't offer extended holiday hours, but two facilities already offer customers extra time. The facility at 6500 Air Cargo Road is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Center City Station at 305 NW 5 is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Shipping tips

Use technology. The Postal Service website allows customers to schedule a package pick up, print out postage and order stamps and shipping supplies.

UPS offers “My Choice,” which gives customers the ability to sign up for text message or email alerts about their shipments, as well as reroute or reschedule deliveries.

Don't reuse a box, seal it with packing tape (not wrapping tape) and cushion the contents with packing peanuts or newspaper.

Never guess a ZIP code. Look it up at www.usps.com.

If you are mailing battery-operated items like toys, remove the batteries and ship them separately (but in the same box.) If an item inside a package starts ticking or rattling, it could require additional screening, causing delays.

Print the recipient's address inside the box as well as on the outside, in case the label falls off.

Source: The U.S. Postal Service and UPS