USPS Releases Its Holiday Mailing Deadlines

It’s time to start thinking about when to mail out those Christmas packages.

The US Postal Service has released its holiday shipping deadlines if you want your packages to arrive on time for Christmas.

New this year, the Postal Service has announced it will not have a peak, or demand surcharges this holiday season.

2023 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines

Within the Lower 48 (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)

USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20

Alaska

USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 18
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20

Hawaii

USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail — Dec. 16
Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20

Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)

USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 6
First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail — Dec. 9
Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 15*
* PMEMS not available for APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093

International Mail

Shipping deadlines for international mail vary depending on the destination. Check out International Mail and Shipping Services for details. The Postal Service is a secure shipping option that meets international mail shipping needs to over 180 countries.

A new shipping option this year is USPS Ground Advantage, a service that provides a simple, reliable, and affordable way to ship packages with day certain delivery of 2-5 business days based on distance.

In addition to our convenient retail locations, customers can purchase their shipping labels, order Priority Mail packaging, and schedule free carrier pick-up via the Postal Service’s shipping platform Click-N-Ship. Customers using the platform will have access to Commercial Shipping Rates that will apply to all domestic package labels — making it easier for customers to ship their packages.

The Postal Service is built for the holidays, serving 165 million addresses across the country and covering every state, city, and town. Everyone living in the United States and its territories has access to postal products and services.

Review the details on how to ship packages to military and diplomatic addresses at domestic prices, even if you are sending mail overseas. Notably, the Postal Service is the only delivery service that ships to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses.