As the holiday season approaches and online shopping activity intensifies, the United States Postal Service says it’s strongly positioned to handle the expected surge in package and mail deliveries.

To help customers experience seamless shipping and mailing during the holidays and beyond, USPS offers the following tips:

Send Early. Avoid the last-minute rush by sending items well before the recommended holiday shipping and mailing dates available online here.

Use Online Tools – Customers can use Click-N-Ship to purchase shipping labels, order Priority Mail packaging, and schedule free carrier pick up directly from their home or office. The Postal Service also offers stamps, shipping supplies, collectibles, and unique items to customers online at The Postal Store.

Stay Informed – Sign up for Informed Delivery, a free service from USPS that shows customers preview images of incoming mail, plus status updates about incoming and outbound packages.

Ship Safely – Metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited in the mail stream. This includes antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors and similar devices. More information on shipping hazardous materials is available online here.

Stay Updated – Utilize the Postal Service’s convenient online USPS Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynews to find resources, tools, and expert advice to help make holiday shipping and mailing effortless.