Tips, deadlines for holiday shipping from a San Diego post office [Video]

SAN DIEGO — During the busiest shipping season of the year, the U.S. Postal Service says it has already processed an estimated 5.2 billion packages, a testament to the holiday rush that transforms local post offices into bustling hubs of activity.

CBS 8 reporter Abbie Black recently stepped behind the counter at the Linda Vista post office to experience firsthand the complex world of holiday shipping, discovering the intricate dance of logistics and customer service that keeps America connected.

“This is not as easy as it looks,” Black said, after spending a day alongside Lead Sales Associate April Avington. “Every package is a puzzle, every customer has a unique request, and there’s a constant line.”

The day revealed critical shipping insights for holiday mailers. Packages over 12 inches in length incur additional charges, and …