How To Prep For Holiday Shipping Delays (2021)


With the holidays already upon us, Mail Boxes Times wants to help prepare you for the gift-buying frenzy that always occurs this time of year. 2021 brings new challenges to the giving season: supply shortages, worker shortages, and shipping delays may affect the availability of many items. Here’s our handy guide to navigating shipping in Beverly Hills this 2021.

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Why Are There Delays? 

There are several strains on the globe that are currently affecting production and shipping. Global shortages of plastic, magnets, and microprocessors are slowing production. At the same time, coronavirus-related port shutdowns and storms further exacerbate port congestion and delays. Items that may be particularly difficult to get due to distribution networks’ inability to keep up with surging demand include: 

  • Holiday decorations
  • Liquor and spirits
  • Consumer electronics
  • Print books
  • Certain grocery items including candy, frozen foods, snack foods, beverages
  • Turkey (prior to Thanksgiving)
  • Clothing and apparel

Shipping Deadlines 

The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS have released recommended ship-by dates if you want your gift to arrive in time for Christmas on Saturday, December 25th this year. The key is to shop and ship early: USPS is slowing mail delivery as part of a larger cost-cutting plan, and supply chain issues are exacerbating shipping delays. 

USPS (Continental U.S.)

December 15: USPS retail ground service

December 17: First-class mail service (including holiday greeting cards)

December 17: First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces) 

December 18: Priority mail service

December 23: Priority mail express service

USPS For Air/Army/Fleet/Diplomatic post office addresses:

November 6: Retail ground service

December 9  :Priority mail and first-class mail

December 16: Priority mail express military service

USPS Alaska and Hawaii: 

December 17: Hawaii to/from mainland — priority mail and first-class mail

December 18: Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — first-class and priority mail 

December 21: Alaska to/from Continental U.S. and Hawaii to/from mainland — priority mail express

FedEx 

December 9: ground economy

December 15: ground and home delivery

December 21: express saver

December 22: two day and two-day am

December 23: overnight services

December 24: same day

UPS:

Ground shipping, check the website for a quote

December 22: second-day air services 

December 23: next-day air services

December 25: no pickup service, UPS holiday 

Note: UPS service guarantee still suspended for most services due to COVID-19

Our best advice is to plan ahead, shop early, and get your gifts in order long before December begins. To guarantee your packages won’t get tangled up in shipping delays, order and ship them now. Mail Boxes Times is here Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. 

Fast Shipping In Beverly Hills 

At Mail Boxes Times, we offer stamps, metered mail, delivery confirmation, signature confirmation, certified letter with return receipt, express mail, and even international shipment. We can send your package anywhere in the world. Get in touch with us at (310) 276-5076 or reach out to info@mailboxestimes.com