Important Mailing Dates for the Holidays

(photo courtesy of USPS Headquarters)

USPS has released its suggested mail-by dates to help customers make sure their packages, cards and letters arrive in time for this year’s holiday season.

The first holiday mailing deadline is Nov. 13 for customers sending Parcel Post packages to APO and FPO addresses. Space Available Mail must be mailed by Nov. 26, regardless of the APO and FPO address.
Last-minute shoppers have until Dec. 22 — the deadline for Express Mail packages — to send mail in the U.S. But they would be wise to send their mail before the final deadline. “We suggest customers mail domestic and international holiday gifts early to beat the rush and avoid the lines,” said Raschelle Parker, Mgr. Retail & Marketing New York District.
Parker recommends using one of the Postal Service’s Priority Mail products. “The Priority Mail Flat Rate box is available in a variety of sizes and is always free,” she said.

The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your items arrive on time: 

Military Service First Class Mail & Priority Mailing Dates

• Dec.   3 — APO/FPO AE ZIP 093
• Dec. 10 — APO/FPO AE 090-092, 094-098, 340, 962-966 (for EXPRESS SERVICE mail by Dec. 17)

International Mailing Dates for Priority & First Class Mail

• Dec.   3 — Priority Mail (PMI)/First Class Mail (FCM) for Africa, and Central & South America
• Dec. 10  — PMI/FCM for Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia/New Zealand, FCM for Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and Middle East
• Dec. 13 — PMI for Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East

International Mailing Dates for Express Mail (EMS) & Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)

• Dec. 11 —EMS for Africa, Central & South America
• Dec. 15 —EMS for Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia/New Zealand, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Middle East
• Dec.17 —EMS for Canada
• Dec.18 —GXG for Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia/New Zealand
• Dec.19 —GXG for Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, Middle East
• Dec.20 —GXG for Canada, Mexico

Domestic Mailing Dates 

• Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 22 — Express Mail