USPS expects record number of parcels

The U.S. Postal Service is predicting this will be a record parcel season, with about 470 million packages delivered this holiday season, up about 12 percent from last year.

As Cyber Monday and online shopping in general grows, it means those items have to be shipped in some manner. Personal shipping also increases this time of year.

Facts about this holiday season and the Postal Service:

· USPS will process 15.5 billion cards, letters and packages this holiday season.

· In many large cities, delivery will be seven days a week.

· In some locations, there will be seven-day-a-week retail service.

· Three million people will use usps.com to print their postage and leave their parcel for their carrier to pick up.

Dec. 15 is expected to be the busiest retail day, while Dec. 17 should be the busiest delivery day.

Shipping deadlines to ensure delivery by Dec. 25:

Dec. 2 — Priority mail international
Dec. 10 — APO/FPO military priority mail and first-class mail
Dec. 15 – Standard post (ground)
Dec. 17 – Military priority mail express
Dec. 20 — First-class letters and priority packages
Dec. 23 — Domestic priority mail express.