Business & Tech

Holiday Shipping Deadlines Start This Week

The last dates to ship gifts to arrive by Christmas are coming up soon.

It seems shipping holiday gifts becomes more and more popular each year. FedEx reportedly had its busiest day ever Monday, shipping more than 17 million packages around the world, according to the Associated Press (video).

With shipping becoming as busy as the mall on Black Friday, it might take some extra effort to ensure that your gifts arrive to their locations safely and on-time.

Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman said there have not been any reports of package theft or tampering.

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"It does happen, I know, but we don't really see it here," Wightman said.

However, people should still use caution when shipping.

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The Brighton Post Office has posted tips in its lobby for customers to ensure safe delivery.

  • Use clear or brown packaging tape or reinforced packing tape - do not use cord, string, or twine because it gets caught in mail processing equipment. Check to ensure the address does not get torn while in transit. 
  • Using a complete and correct address - always use the zip code plus the four digit code afterwards, when possible. Also, always include a name and address on loose items inside a box as well as a return address.
  • Download the free smart phone app USPS Mobile for rates and zip code information. It also allows you to put your mail on hold if you take a vacation.

Getting a tracking number for a package can also help residents keep an eye on their shipments.

To ensure that your gifts arrive by Christmas, here's holiday shipping information from the three big companies in Brighton, according to their websites:

Post Office: Brighton - 100 Orndorf Dr. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sunday. Closed Dec. 26.

USPS Shipping Deadlines for Mail to Arrive by Christmas

Shipping Service
Deadline Parcel Post
Dec. 15 Military recipients
Dec. 17 Most international locations
Dec. 19 First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 Priority Mail
Dec. 21 Express Mail
Dec. 22

For more details on international and military shipping, visit the USPS website.

FedEx: FedEx Office - 8673 W Grand River Ave. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Closed on Christmas Day.

Latest time for Express drop-off: 7:15 p.m. Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. Saturday and no pickup on Sunday.

Latest time for Ground drop-off: 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, no pickup on Saturday and Sunday.

FedEx Shipping Deadlines for Mail to Arrive by Christmas (for U.S. pickup and delivery)

Shipping Service Deadline Ground Dec. 16 Home Delivery Dec. 19 Express Saver Dec. 20 2-Day Dec. 21(or Dec. 22 with extra Saturday charge) Standard Overnight Dec. 22
Priority Overnight
Dec. 22 (or Dec. 23 with extra Saturday charge) First Overnight
Dec. 22 (or Dec. 23 with extra Saturday charge)

For more information on transit times, visit FedEx's website.

UPS: The UPS Store - 9864 E Grand River Ave. Holiday Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

No pickup or delivery on Dec. 25.

Shipping deadlines: The company does not have a guaranteed shipping deadline for ground or standard delivery packages to arrive by Christmas. The recommended deadline for domestic shipping is Dec. 13.

Delivery times vary based on location. To calculate the estimated time and cost to mail your package, use UPS' online tool.

UPS Next Day Air packages picked up Dec. 22 will be delivered Dec. 23.


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