Holiday Post Office Deadlines to Remember

With 16.5 billion cards, letters and packages to be delivered before New Year’s Day, the U.S. Postal Service offers these shipping deadlines -- and a list of free supplies and services-- to help make sure gifts are delivered promptly and safely during the holiday season.

The following mail-by dates are recommended to ensure gifts arrive on time:   

Thursday - Military mail destined for Afghanistan
Dec. 10 - Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 15 - Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service (domestic)
Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail (domestic)
Dec. 21 - Priority Mail (domestic)
Dec. 22 - Express Mail (domestic)

Additional International Deadlines

International Mail Addressed To

Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)1***

Express Mail® Inter-national (EMS)2

Priority Mail® Inter-national (PMI)3

First-Class Mail®

Africa

Dec-20

Dec-10

Dec-2

Dec-2

Asia/Pacific Rim

Dec-19

Dec-15

Dec-9

Dec-9

Australia/New Zealand

Dec-19

Dec-15

Dec-9

Dec-9

Canada

Dec-21

Dec-16

Dec-12

Dec-9

Caribbean

Dec-20

Dec-15

Dec-12

Dec-9

Central & South America

Dec-20

Dec-10

Dec-2

Dec-2

Mexico

Dec-21

Dec-15

Dec-9

Dec-9

Europe

Dec-20

Dec-15

Dec-12

Dec-9

Middle East

Dec-20

Dec-15

Dec-12

Dec-9

Free Supplies and Services

• The Postal Service offers free Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes delivered right to a customer’s home or office, available by ordering at: usps.com/ordersupplies.
• Free Variety Packs of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, also are available, containing 1 each of the Small Flat Rate Box, Medium Flat Rate Boxes 1 and 2, and the Large Flat Rate Box.
• Hectic holiday shippers can skip a trip to the altogether, by scheduling package pickups online. The Postal Service will pick up packages at a time and place convenient for customers, with schedule and pickup options available on usps.com