LIFESTYLE

U.S. Postal Services Warn of Holiday Shipping Deadlines

PUBLISHED Dec 16, 2025, 11:18 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 7

Center 86%

Right 14%

Sources: 7

Tampa, Fla. Postal and private carriers announced deadlines this week to ensure Christmas deliveries, with USPS first-class and Ground Advantage due Dec. 17 and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 20; FedEx and UPS extend two-day and overnight options to Dec. 22–23. Local post offices report higher volumes and longer lines, retailers and drop-off stores operate extended hours. Authorities reported several mail theft incidents, including a Fairfield post office break-in and a multi-victim stolen-mail fraud whose defendant was sentenced. Postal leaders described peak daily letter and package volumes rising substantially during the season. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Ayesha A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

May 2022: Miranda Burgess was found with stolen mail from over 70 people.
Dec. 2: Residents mailed holiday cards that later did not arrive; break-in believed Dec. 3.
Mid-December: USPS set first-class and Ground Advantage deadlines for Dec. 17 and Priority Mail Express for Dec. 20.
Dec. 20–23: FedEx and UPS offered two-day and overnight options extending shipping windows to Dec. 22–23.
Recent: Burgess pleaded guilty earlier and was sentenced to 3 years, 3 months, fined, and ordered to repay victims.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 6
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 86%, Right 14%

Who Benefited

Expedited carriers, logistics retailers, and couriers benefited from last-minute paid shipping options and increased holiday demand, generating additional revenue from two-day and overnight services.

Who Impacted

Holiday shoppers, postal employees, and mail recipients suffered from higher costs, longer lines, delivery pressure, and in some cases theft or missing mail that disrupted deliveries and personal finances.