2017 Gift Packing & Shipping Tips
December has three full weeks before the Christmas holiday. Hanukkah begins in the middle of the second week. Pak Mail recommends shipping gifts early in the month to ensure on-time holiday delivery by Friday, December 22.
The carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) post holiday schedules. The following cut-off dates are based on these schedules and our holiday shipping experience. Pak Mail includes additional time for potential delays due to inclement weather and increased package volume.
Shipping Week One: December 4-9
- Ship Hanukkah gifts this week.
- Ship international gifts DHL/FedEx this week (recipient is responsible for duties and taxes).
- Ship APO/FPO/DPO packages USPS Priority Mail by Monday, December 4.
- Ship APO/FPO/DPO letters/cards USPS First Class by Monday, December 4.
Shipping Week Two: December 11-16
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx Ground by Wednesday, December 13.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx Ground by Thursday, December 14 (to Maine/northern New England), or Friday, December 15.
Shipping Week Three: December 18-22
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 3-day on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to Hawaii/Alaska UPS/FedEx 2-day/overnight on Monday, December 18.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx 2-day on Tuesday, December 19.
- Ship to US Lower-48 UPS/FedEx overnight on Wednesday, December 20.
Before your trip to Pak Mail – especially if it’s part of your “honey do” list – be prepared with the following shipping information:
- Address and phone number of the recipient (must be a physical address for UPS, FedEx, and DHL).
- Contents of the package (if already packed and sealed). Save time and let Pak Mail pack for you.
- Value of the items.
- When you would like the package to arrive.
You will be asked if the package is safe to leave on the porch. Due to reports of porch theft this time of year, we recommend a delivery signature on most packages. We can also ship to the recipient’s work address.
Merry Christmas!