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FAQS

These answers will help you navigate the USPS Operation Santa® program.

 * Search
 * Top FAQs
 * About the Program
 * Writing a Letter
 * Creating an Account to Adopt
 * Adopting a Letter
 * Finding the Right Gift
 * Packaging Gifts
 * Shipping Gifts
 * Receiving Gifts
 * Team Adoptions (Admin)
 * Team Adoptions (Member)
 * Shipping Guidelines
 * Contact


SEARCH FAQS

Type keywords to find answers


TOP FAQS


WHAT ARE KEY DATES TO KNOW FOR THE 2023 PROGRAM?

 * Monday, September 18: Letters can now be sent to 123 Elf Road, North Pole,
   88888.  

 * Monday, November 6: Preregistration and ID verification for adopters
   begins.  

 * Monday, November 20: Letter adoption begins.  

 * Monday, December 11: Last day to send letters. Letters must be postmarked by
   this date.  

 * Monday, December 18: This is the last day to adopt letters before the website
   closes at 8pm ET. We recommend sending packages by this date to arrive by
   December 25th.




HOW CAN I SUBMIT A LETTER FOR THE USPS OPERATION SANTA® PROGRAM?

A letter to Santa should be placed into an envelope with a postage stamp, and
sent to 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Don’t forget your return address — be
sure to write it clearly and include an apartment number if applicable, so there
is no confusion about where the gift should be sent. Write your return address
on the letter itself as well.

Get more tips for writing a letter.


WHAT HAPPENS IF I MOVE AFTER I MAIL MY LETTER?

Please ensure you submit a change of address with USPS to be sure that any gifts
find you! 


WHY CAN'T I SEE ANY LETTERS ON THE SITE? WHEN WILL THERE BE MORE?

New letters are added to the site daily starting Monday, November 20 through
December 18. In many instances, letters are adopted as soon as they are posted.
If there are no letters, it means they’ve currently all been adopted and are
getting their holiday wishes fulfilled. But check back — new letters are added
to the site every day. 


DO I HAVE TO BUY EVERYTHING THE CHILD ASKED FOR?

No. You can respond however you’re inspired to. Some people fulfill one or two
of the child’s wishes, while still others may choose to grant all the wishes
listed.


DO I HAVE TO FULFILL EXPENSIVE GIFT REQUESTS?

No, you don’t have to fulfill expensive requests. Hopeful as ever, kids do tend
to wish big. But just hearing back from Santa is a win!


IS THERE A SIZE OR WEIGHT LIMIT FOR SHIPPING?

Packages must be under 70 pounds and have a maximum combined length and girth of
108 inches (girth is the distance around the thickest part of the package). If
you are worried about the weight or size of your package, consider shipping in
multiple boxes. No more than six boxes will be accepted per individual adoption
or a total of 12 boxes per family adoption. Read our Shipping Guidelines for
more information.


WHEN DO I SHIP MY GIFT?

Remember to ship by the deadline. We recommend shipping gifts as soon as they’re
ready. Be sure to check the hours of the participating Post Office™ location
closest to you.


DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR POSTAGE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Participation in the USPS Operation Santa® program requires adopters pay for
shipping. Read our Shipping Guidelines for more information on postage costs.


ABOUT THE PROGRAM


WHAT ARE KEY DATES TO KNOW FOR THE 2023 PROGRAM?

 * Monday, September 18: Letters can now be sent to 123 Elf Road, North Pole,
   88888.  

 * Monday, November 6: Preregistration and ID verification for adopters
   begins.  

 * Monday, November 20: Letter adoption begins.  

 * Monday, December 11: Last day to send letters. Letters must be postmarked by
   this date.  

 * Monday, December 18: This is the last day to adopt letters before the website
   closes at 8pm ET. We recommend sending packages by this date to arrive by
   December 25th.




HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every year, thousands of families send letters to Santa at the North Pole. The
USPS Operation Santa® program makes it possible for people to adopt and respond
to these letters, fulfilling the holiday wishes of children and families across
the country.

Letters addressed to Santa’s official address are sorted, read and published on
the USPS Operation Santa® website with personal information redacted. Adopters
are then able to browse and select letters they love and respond with a gift and
a note. 

Learn more about the letters, including tips for writing and mailing a letter to
Santa to have a wish fulfilled, here. 

And be sure to read more about the history of this much-beloved tradition that’s
been running for over 100 years.


CAN ANYONE IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ADOPT LETTERS IN THE USPS OPERATION SANTA®
PROGRAM?

Anyone in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
can participate. All you have to do is sign up, create an account and get
verified.


CAN PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES OR DEPLOYED MILITARY OVERSEAS SEND IN LETTERS OR
ADOPT THEM?

The USPS Operation Santa® program is only available to those residing in the
continental United States and Hawaii, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. 

Unfortunately, military servicemen and women deployed overseas cannot
participate in the program at this time.


CAN I DONATE MONEY TO THE PROGRAM?

We appreciate the thought, but as a federal agency, we are prohibited from
accepting monetary donations.


IS THIS A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CHARITABLE DONATION?

Because we are not a 501(c)(3) organization, any funds spent on USPS Operation
Santa® items are not tax-deductible.


IS THE PROGRAM SAFE FOR LETTER WRITERS?

Absolutely. Every letter writer’s personally identifiable information (PII) is
redacted — last names, addresses, school or community names, etc., are blacked
out on the letter that is posted on the USPS Operation Santa® website. The
sender of the gift does not know the PII of the letter writer.


DOES EVERY LETTER GET A RESPONSE?

No. There is no guarantee that every letter will make it to the website, that
your letter will be selected, or that your letter to Santa will receive a
response. The program depends on the generosity of others and the magic of the
season!


WHY DOESN’T MY POST OFFICE™ LOCATION KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

We are working very hard on communicating program details to our approximately
650,000 employees nationwide. Please contact us at operationsanta@usps.gov if
you experience any issues.


IS THERE ANY PLACE TO ADOPT A LETTER IN PERSON?

No. The USPS Operation Santa® program is conducted exclusively online.


HOW CAN I SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM WITH OTHERS?

Resources to encourage others to get involved with the USPS Operation Santa®
program can be found here.


WRITING A LETTER


WHO WRITES LETTERS TO SANTA?

The USPS Operation Santa® program invites everyone in the continental U.S.,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to write letters to Santa. 

Letters will be posted on USPSOperationSanta.com without personal identifying
information, so others can respond to the holiday wishes. There’s no guarantee
all letters will be answered, but it is certainly the goal to fulfill as many
gifts as possible.


IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

You’re never too young or old to believe in the magic of the season! We realize
that younger children or elderly adults may not be able to write themselves, so
it’s ok for the parent, guardian, teacher or caregiver to assist writing. 


HOW CAN I SUBMIT A LETTER FOR THE USPS OPERATION SANTA® PROGRAM?

A letter to Santa should be placed into an envelope with a postage stamp, and
sent to 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Don’t forget your return address — be
sure to write it clearly and include an apartment number if applicable, so there
is no confusion about where the gift should be sent. Write your return address
on the letter itself as well. 

 Get more tips for writing a letter.


DOES THE LETTER NEED TO SAY ANYTHING SPECIFIC?

Being specific with details about the items on your wish list — like game and
book titles, sizes (include infant, toddler or teen), colors, etc. — makes it
easier for the letter adopter to know what kind of gift to purchase. 

Get more tips for writing a letter. 


DO YOU HAVE A LETTER TEMPLATE I CAN USE?

Yes! You can download and print letter designs and ideas here to get started.


WHICH LETTERS ARE CHOSEN FOR THE USPS OPERATION SANTA® WEBSITE?

Letters are not evaluated based on needs or if they’re fit to be fulfilled. They
are posted for the public to decide which ones they want to adopt. However, to
be included in the program a letter must: 

 * Be legible 

 * Contain a valid return address — including apartment number — in the letter
   or on the envelope 

 * Include the writer’s first and last names. Last names will not appear on the
   website. 

 * Be addressed to 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888 

 * Have a Forever® First-Class Mail® postage stamp on the envelope 

 * Be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service 

 * Be postmarked by December 11, 2023




WHAT HAPPENS IF I MAILED MY LETTER TO SANTA WITH NO ADDRESS? 

All letters addressed to Santa are automatically forwarded to Santa’s official
mailroom address—as long as they have a stamp. 


WHAT HAPPENS IF I MOVE AFTER I MAIL MY LETTER?

Please ensure you submit a change of address with USPS to be sure that any gifts
find you! 


ARE ALL LETTERS RECEIVED POSTED?

No, there is no guarantee that every letter received will be uploaded for
adoption.


HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY LETTER WAS RECEIVED?

We can’t confirm receipt of letters or guarantee that your letter will be
uploaded. There’s a chance you may see it on the site, but letters are often
adopted as quickly as they are uploaded!


HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY LETTER WAS ADOPTED?

The only way to know is if you receive a gift. Believe in the magic of the
season!


WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LETTER TO SANTA? WILL I GET IT BACK?

We don’t keep physical letters after the season is over, so unfortunately, you
won’t be able to get your letter back.


HOW DOES USPS PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF THOSE WHO WRITE TO SANTA?

Strict USPS guidelines for the USPS Operation Santa® program ensure that members
of the public do not have access to the personally identifiable information
(PII) of those who write to Santa. All PII is redacted from letters before they
are posted, and adopters never see an address when sending a gift.


WHAT HAPPENS TO UNANSWERED LETTERS?

Our goal is to get all letters answered! Regardless of whether they are adopted
or not, we don’t keep any physical letters after the season is over.


CREATING AN ACCOUNT TO ADOPT


HOW DO I CREATE AN ACCOUNT?

Head to the Sign In button in the top navigation section to create and verify
your account. You can’t participate in the adoption process until you are
verified.


I CREATED AN ACCOUNT LAST YEAR. WHY DO I NEED TO CREATE A NEW ONE?

To ensure the safety of our recipients, we do not repurpose accounts or their
associated data from previous years. Our adopters are required to create a new
verified account each year to participate in the program.


WHY DO I HAVE TO BE VERIFIED?

Verifying adopters online helps simplify the process of keeping all letter
writers safe. We want to ensure that we know who is responsible for each gift
sent.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE VERIFIED?

In order to verify your identity, we try to match the information you provide
with records matching your user information. This allows us to know who is
responsible for each gift.


I DIDN'T GET VERIFIED. WHY?

There are several possible reasons why we aren’t able to verify your identity.
We might not have been able to identify enough records tied to your name. If you
are unable to be verified online, you can come into a Post Office™ location to
have your identity verified in person.


ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS (OTHER THAN ONLINE) TO GET MY IDENTITY VERIFIED? 

Yes. In-person verification is an option for customers unable to get verified
online. Once you go through the online process and cannot be verified, you will
be provided information to take to your local participating Post Office™
location. 


WHAT IS IN-PERSON PROOFING?

If we can’t find enough records to confirm your identity online, you can come
into a Post Office™ location to verify your account. Once you’ve opted into this
service, you will receive an email with detailed instructions for completing the
process.


WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING IN ORDER TO BE VERIFIED IN PERSON?

Once you’ve opted into in-person proofing, you will have 30 days to come into a
participating Post Office™ location. Bring a valid form of identification and
your assigned barcode. Please look for an email from USPS® ID Services with
details.


HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I CAN’T BE VERIFIED?

If you’re unable to get verified, please know there are other ways to help out
with the program. You can encourage friends that have already been verified to
adopt letters and share the gifting experience with them.


ADOPTING A LETTER


IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF LETTERS I CAN ADOPT?

Yes. Each registered person can adopt no more than 15 letters. Teams can adopt
15 letters per participating team member. 

Please be sure you are able to fulfill the letters that you do adopt. Every
adopted letter is removed from the site. If you are unable to fulfill the
request, cancel your adoption on the Your Letters section of your account so it
can be adopted by another generous person.


CAN I ADOPT AN ENTIRE FAMILY?

Yes. Letters from the same household are posted collectively as a family. You
can adopt entire families. Because we don’t want anyone to think Santa forgot
about them, we encourage families to be adopted together and for each family
member to receive something, if you are able.


ARE THERE LETTERS IN SPANISH? ANY OTHER LANGUAGES?

Yes. While most of the letters received are in English, the letters written in
Spanish are posted and are searchable using the language filter. Occasionally,
letters written in other languages come in — we will be working on adding
additional language filters in the future.


WHY CAN'T I SEE ANY LETTERS ON THE SITE? WHEN WILL THERE BE MORE?

New letters are added to the site daily starting Monday, November 20 through
December 18. In many instances, letters are adopted as soon as they are posted.
If there are no letters, it means they’ve currently all been adopted and are
getting their holiday wishes fulfilled. But check back — new letters are added
to the site every day. 


WHERE CAN I FIND THE LETTER I ADOPTED?

Your adopted letters can be found under Your Letters in your account profile and
in the email account you used to register. If you’ve checked all places and
cannot find it, please send an email, with the Letter ID Number, to
operationsanta@usps.gov.


I CAN’T FULFILL MY LETTER! HOW DO I CANCEL MY ADOPTION?

You can cancel an adoption under Your Letters in your account profile. This
allows the letter to be republished on the site so it can be adopted by someone
else.


WHY DON’T I SEE LETTERS FROM MY STATE WHEN I SEARCH FOR THEM?

We’re constantly processing new letters to add to the site. Check in daily to
see if new letters from your state have been added, or consider adopting from a
different state. Please know, shipping rates vary by distance. See our shipping
guidelines.


FINDING THE RIGHT GIFT


DO I HAVE TO BUY EVERYTHING THE CHILD ASKED FOR?

No. You can respond however you’re inspired to. Some people fulfill one or two
of the child’s wishes, while still others may choose to grant all the wishes
listed.


CAN I GIFT SLIGHTLY USED ITEMS?

No. For health and safety reasons, we require only new items be sent.


DO I HAVE TO FULFILL EXPENSIVE GIFT REQUESTS?

No, you don’t have to fulfill expensive requests. Hopeful as ever, kids do tend
to wish big. But just hearing back from Santa is a win!


CAN I SEND THE CHILD MORE THAN ONE GIFT?

Yes, it’s up to you how you fulfill their wishes. Please know that no more than
six boxes will be accepted per individual adoption. Read our Shipping Guidelines
for more information.


WHAT IF A LETTER ASKS FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN’T BE MAILED?

If your adoption contains a special request that you’d like to fulfill with a
special skill, service or item too large to ship, contact us at
operationsanta@usps.gov and include your Letter ID so we can help with
logistics. 


HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON MY GIFTS?

It is up to you what you purchase and how much you spend.


CAN I SEND THE FAMILY CASH, A CHECK, OR GIFT CARDS?

Please do not send checks as we want to keep all gifts anonymous, and please do
not mail cash. We recommend sending any monetary value in the form of Gift
Cards.*  

*Gift Cards may not be insured against loss; see Domestic Mail Manual Section
609 for details.


ARE THERE ANY GIFT RESTRICTIONS?

Before shopping, please review the general requirements for common gifts that
may be restricted and/or prohibited in the mail stream. Gifts declared as
hazardous materials that are mailable must be shipped in strong, rigid
containers (e.g., fiberboard boxes). USPS-produced packaging (e.g., a Priority
Mail® box) is not eligible for shipping mailable hazardous material. Batteries
must be installed in electronic devices. 

Electronic skateboards, scooters, e-bikes, fireworks/sparklers and perfume are
not mailable and are prohibited in the USPS Operation Santa® program.


WILL THE RECIPIENT KNOW THE GIFT IS FROM ME?

No, please remember to keep any written correspondence anonymous — it’s from
Santa, after all.


CAN I CONTACT THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD WHO WROTE THE LETTER?

To ensure the safety and privacy of our recipients, we do not give access to any
personally identifiable information of those participating in the program.


PACKAGING GIFTS


SHOULD I WRAP THE GIFTS BEFORE PACKAGING THEM?

You can wrap the presents if you choose, but it isn't required.


CAN I PUT MORE THAN ONE GIFT IN THE SAME BOX?

Yes, if they are for the same address. If you adopted a family’s letters, make
sure to mark each gift with the recipient’s name.


SHOULD I WRITE THE RECIPIENT'S NAME ON THE GIFT(S)?

Writing the child’s name on the gift helps personalize it. If you adopt a
family’s letters, labeling gifts makes it easier for the recipients to
distribute them.


CAN I INCLUDE A PERSONAL NOTE FOR THE RECIPIENT?

We recommend you use the Note from Santa found in your instructions packet. It
explains the program to parents and where your gift came from. You can write a
note of your own as well, just please remember to sign it from Santa to keep it
anonymous — and to keep the magic alive!


SHOULD I PUT MY RETURN ADDRESS ON THE BOX?

No, the package is from Santa. Please remember to keep any written
correspondence anonymous.


HOW MANY PACKAGES CAN I SEND PER ADOPTION?

You can send up to six packages per individual adoption, and 12 packages per
family adoption. Please note that you’ll have to pay for postage for every
package.


IS THERE A SIZE OR WEIGHT LIMIT FOR SHIPPING?

Packages must be under 70 pounds and have a maximum combined length and girth of
108 inches (girth is the distance around the thickest part of the package). If
you are worried about the weight or size of your package, consider shipping in
multiple boxes. No more than six boxes will be accepted per individual adoption
or a total of 12 boxes per family adoption. Read our Shipping Guidelines for
more information.


SHIPPING GIFTS


WHEN DO I SHIP MY GIFT?

Remember to ship by the deadline. We recommend shipping gifts as soon as they’re
ready. Be sure to check the hours of the participating Post Office™ location
closest to you.


WHEN IS THE LAST DAY TO SHIP A PACKAGE?

If you want the gift to arrive before Christmas, we recommend shipping it from a
participating Post Office™ location by December 18. The final day for all 2023
USPS Operation Santa® packages to be shipped is January 10, 2024.  


WHERE CAN I SHIP MY GIFT?

There are more than 19,000 Post OfficeTM locations that accept USPS Operation
Santa® packages.


HOW DOES SHIPPING WORK SINCE I DON’T HAVE THE LETTER WRITER’S ADDRESS?

You must have the QR Code® to ship your gift.* The postal clerk will scan it to
retrieve the necessary information and will place the shipping label on the
package for you. 

*QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc.


DOES EVERY POST OFFICE™ LOCATION PARTICIPATE?

There are more than 19,000 participating Post Office™ locations to choose from.
Click here to find a location closest to you.


CAN SOMEONE ELSE SHIP MY PACKAGE FOR ME?

We ask that you ship your own gifts. However, if you need to have a local friend
or family member do it for you, please make sure to provide them with the QR
Code® from your adoption confirmation email. Be sure to provide money for
postage.


DO I NEED TO BRING MY CONFIRMATION EMAIL?

You’ll need the QR Code® to ship your gift. When you’re at a participating Post
Office™ location, just have your QR Code ready on your smartphone for our retail
associates to scan, or have the printed email with QR Code on hand. Let them
know that you’re here for the USPS Operation Santa® program.


I CAN’T ACCESS THE QR CODE® TO SHIP MY PACKAGE. WHAT DO I DO?

If you’ve checked your email and under Your Letters on your account profile on
USPSOperationSanta.com and cannot find your QR Code, you can email
operationsanta@usps.gov for assistance. Please provide your Letter ID Number.


DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR POSTAGE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Participation in the USPS Operation Santa® program requires adopters pay for
shipping. Read our Shipping Guidelines for more information on postage costs.


I HAVE A LOT OF BOXES. IS THERE ANYTHING EXTRA I NEED TO DO FOR SHIPPING?

If you have a large shipment, it might help to contact the Postmaster at your
nearest participating Post Office™ location to assist you with additional
information and anything you need for drop-off. Please remember that only six
boxes can be shipped for an individual adoption and 12 for a family and that you
are responsible for postage for every box shipped.


DO I HAVE TO SHIP WITH PRIORITY MAIL® SERVICE?

Yes. All USPS Operation Santa® packages must be shipped via the Postal Service
using Priority Mail® service— a secure, cost-effective way to ship.


CAN MY MAIL CARRIER TAKE THE PACKAGE TO THE POST OFFICE™ LOCATION FOR ME?

No. The Package Pickup option is not available with USPS Operation Santa®
packages.


CAN I USE THE CLICK-N-SHIP® FEATURE TO MAIL MY PACKAGE?

No. To ensure privacy, the Click-N-Ship® feature is not available with USPS
Operation Santa® packages.


MY POST OFFICE™ LOCATION COULDN’T PRINT THE LABEL. WHAT DO I DO?

USPS retail associates can use a re-print function in the admin section of their
Retail Systems Software — please ensure this has been attempted first.
Otherwise, email operationsanta@usps.gov for assistance.


WHY DIDN’T I GET A TRACKING NUMBER?

Tracking information allows you to see the recipient’s address. To protect the
letter writer, we do not provide tracking numbers.


WILL I KNOW IF MY PACKAGE IS DELIVERED?

On your profile page, under Your Letters, the status of the package will change
to Delivered. Watch #USPSOperationSanta for posts shared by many thankful
recipients!


RECEIVING GIFTS


WHEN ARE GIFTS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE?

If your letter is adopted and fulfilled, you could receive a package any time
after the website opens in November through mid-January 2024.


MY CHILD RECEIVED A GIFT. WHO IS IT FROM?

It’s from Santa! Thousands of his helpers adopt letters each year. Both those
who write letters and the people who answer them are kept anonymous to protect
participant privacy and preserve the spirit of Santa. If you have any questions
or concerns about this program, please contact us at operationsanta@usps.gov


WILL I RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT I’M GETTING A GIFT?

If you have signed up for Informed Delivery ® notifications, you will see that a
package is coming to your residence. Otherwise, no, you will receive no
notification from the program that you are receiving a gift.


WE WROTE LETTERS BUT DIDN’T KNOW WE’D GET GIFTS. WE DON’T NEED THEM. WHAT SHOULD
WE DO?

You can donate the gifts to a charity near you and/or you can pay it forward!


WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET A GIFT?

We hope every letter gets adopted and fulfilled. Unfortunately, that doesn’t
always happen. The program relies on the generosity of others and does not
guarantee a gift. We encourage anyone not receiving a gift to write again next
year.


TEAM ADOPTIONS (ADMIN)


HOW DO I CREATE A TEAM?

If you have a group that wants to adopt a letter to Santa together, you can
create a team! First, you’ll need to sign up and get verified. Once verified,
look for Create a New Team under “Teams” in the navigation section.

From there, you can name your team, set adoption goals, and share via email with
the people you want on your team.


IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE LETTERS A TEAM CAN ADOPT?

Yes. Each team member can adopt a maximum of 15 letters.


WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TEAM ADMIN?

The Team Admin is a facilitator and program manager. They lead the team,
ensuring gifts make it to the sleigh on time. However, they are not responsible
for buying or shipping their team members’ gifts. Each member of a team is
responsible for their own adopted letter — from buying the gift to paying for
shipping and finally, dropping off at the Post Office™ location.


SOMEONE SHARED MY TEAM LINK AND ADDED A BUNCH OF PEOPLE! WHAT DO I DO?

If you’re a Team Admin, you can choose to reject or accept team members from the
Team Overview page. Each request will show up on your Team Overview in your
profile. Just click or tap the “Reject” next to their name. You can also lock
your team to prevent new members from joining under Team Overview > Edit Team.


CAN I CHANGE MY TEAM NAME?

Yes! This feature is reserved for a Team Admin only. You can make the change
from the Team Overview page from your team page. Change the team name only if
you absolutely have to, as it might confuse your teammates.


HOW MANY TEAMS CAN I CREATE?

You can create as many teams as you like. There is no limit, but please be sure
to keep them motivated and to fulfill the letters you all adopt. We don’t want
Santa to forget anyone this holiday.


CAN I DELETE A TEAM AFTER IT’S BEEN CREATED?

Unfortunately, no! But you can lock the team under Team Overview > Edit Team,
which will prevent anyone from joining.


TEAM ADOPTIONS (MEMBER)


CAN I INVITE PEOPLE AS A TEAM MEMBER?

Team links can be shared, but your Team Admin decides who can join the team.


CAN I JOIN MORE THAN ONE TEAM?

Absolutely. You can be a part of as many teams as you like, just please be sure
to keep track of all your adopted letters.


CAN I LEAVE A TEAM AT ANY POINT?

Yes, but please be responsible for any letter you adopted with the team. Adopted
letters can be found in your profile under Your Letters and in your email. If
you can’t fulfill the letter, please cancel it so it can be adopted by someone
else.


I GOT REJECTED FROM A TEAM, WHAT HAPPENS TO MY LETTERS?

If you adopted a letter under a team, then got rejected or removed from the
team, that letter still belongs to you and can be found under Your Letters in
your account profile. You are responsible for fulfilling it. If you can’t
fulfill the letter, please cancel it so it can be adopted by someone else. 

Additionally, if you think your team rejection was a mistake, please reach out
to the Team Admin to invite you in again.


SHIPPING GUIDELINES


SIZE AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Participation in the USPS Operation Santa® program requires adopters to pay for
shipping.

 * Contents must not weigh more than 70 pounds.
 * In most cases, the maximum combined length and girth is 108 inches (girth is
   the distance around the thickest part of the package).


RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED ITEMS

Many common household and consumer products may not be mailed. Although these
items are not dangerous when stored in your home, they can become dangerous when
shaken or exposed to temperature or pressure changes.

Before shopping, please review the general requirements for common gifts that
may be restricted and/or prohibited in the mail stream. Gifts declared as
hazardous materials that are mailable must be shipped in strong, rigid
containers (e.g., fiberboard boxes). USPS-produced packaging (e.g., a Priority
Mail® box) is not eligible for shipping mailable hazardous material. Batteries
must be installed in electronic devices.

Electronic skateboards, scooters, e-bikes, fireworks/sparklers and perfume are
not mailable and are prohibited in the USPS Operation Santa® program.

For additional information, see all regulations.


PACKING THE BOX

 * When you mail a package, choose a sturdy box with enough room for cushioning
   material around the contents.
 * It's suggested not to reuse boxes as they can weaken in the shipping process.
   But if you decide to reuse, make sure any labels or markings are removed or
   completely covered over.
 * Pack the gifts with cushioning material around the contents to protect
   fragile items and prevent items from shifting in transit.
 * Tape your box shut and reinforce the seams with packing tape.
 * Do not use cord, string, or twine because it may get caught in the mail
   processing equipment.
 * Do not wrap the box in wrapping paper.


ADDRESSING AND LABELING

Do not write any addresses or notes on the package.

When you're at a participating Post Office™ location, have your QR Code® ready
on your smartphone for the retail associates to scan. Or print your QR Code and
affix it on your packages beforehand. Make sure to let the retail associates
know that you're there to ship a USPS Operation Santa® package.


SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO MINIMIZE POSTAGE COSTS

 * Postage is based on size, weight and distance. Smaller, lighter packages
   shipped in-state or to an adjacent state will be the less expensive shipping
   option.
 * Adopt a letter in the same state as the one you live in, or in a nearby
   state.
 * Look at the dimensions of the gift very carefully, paying special attention
   to size and weight.
 * Consider a gift card for larger, heavier items. If you want to send just a
   gift card, it must be sent in a Priority Mail® envelope, 4” x 6” or larger to
   accommodate the shipping label.


CONTACT

Have a question you don't see an answer to here? Please contact us at
operationsanta@usps.gov and include the Letter ID.

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Please note that all letters addressed to Santa and mailed via the United States
Postal Service®, as well as any correspondence related to the USPS Operation
Santa® program, may be published without personal identifying information on
USPSOperationSanta.com and used for postal purposes related to USPS Operation
Santa.


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Mail®, Forever®, Label Broker ®, Post Office™, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, United
States Postal Service®, U.S. Mail®, U.S. Postal Service®, USPS®, USPS Operation
Santa®, USPS Tracking®, usps.com®, and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive
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QR Code® is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc.


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