Holiday Shipping Deadlines Are Approaching In Clearwater

CLEARWATER, FL — Like everything else since early this year, holiday gift giving habits look a lot different in Clearwater because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Postal Service and major package delivery companies have set shipping deadlines, but as holiday buying kicks into full swing, they advise building in some cushions to ensure delivery by Christmas Day.

Americans began their holiday shopping earlier than normal, and both local retailers and large internet sellers report that more people are doing their holiday shopping online this year.

A recent survey by Coresight Research found that current spikes in confirmed coronavirus cases are sending more people online and could affect the availability of some in-demand products.
About 25 percent of those surveyed said they began their holiday shopping earlier this year, and many retailers have stretched out their Black Friday deals over a longer period to accommodate social distancing.

The U.S. Postal Service has added retail hours at select post offices on Sundays during the month of December to help customers with holiday shopping at their convenience. Some post offices already offer retail hours after 5 p.m. weekdays and on Saturday.

Customers can find post office hours and locations by visiting the find USPS locations tool.

Designated Post Offices will provide full retail services, including stamp sales and package acceptance.

Post offices offering Sunday hours include:

• Clearwater Main, 100 S. Belcher Road, noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 20
• Largo Main, 50 8th Ave. S.W., noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13
• Seminole, 9355 113th St., noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 13
• St. Petersburg Crossroads, 1275 66th St. N, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20
• St. Petersburg Gateway, 701 77th Ave. N., noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20
• St. Petersburg Main, 3135 First Ave. N., noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13

Self-service kiosks, accessible 24/7, are available at the above and below locations:

• Pinellas Park, 5260 78th Ave. N.

Here are the deadlines you need to know:

U.S. Postal Service

• USPS Retail Ground: Tuesday, Dec. 15
• First-Class Mail: Friday, Dec. 18
• Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 19
• USPS Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 23

If you're shipping abroad or to a member of the U.S. military, special deadlines apply.

UPS

• UPS Ground Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 16
• UPS Next Day Air: Friday, Dec. 18
• UPS 2nd Day Air: Friday, Dec. 18
• UPS 3 Day Select: Saturday, Dec. 19

FedEx

• FedEx Ground/Home Delivery: Saturday, Dec. 19
• FedEx Express Saver: Monday, Dec. 21
• FedEx 2Day: Tuesday, Dec. 22
• FedEx Overnight: Wednesday, Dec. 23