2018 HOLIDAY SHIPPING CUT-OFF DATES

Posted by Marissa Rojas on

2018 Holiday Shipping Header Image

Domestic (United States)

Retail Ground—Dec. 14th
First Class Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail Express*—Dec. 22nd 

Alaska

First Class Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail Express*—Dec. 22nd

Hawaii

First Class Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail—Dec. 20th
Priority Mail Express*—Dec. 22nd 

*Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office™ acceptance time, and other conditions. Back to legal disclaimer 1

  1. *For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed December 22 through December25th, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered or delivery was not attempted with 2 business days. 

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International Mail

First Class Mail:

-Africa, Central/South AmericaDec. 1st
-Asia/Pac. Rim, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Middle East—Dec. 8th

Priority Mail:

-Africa, Central/South America—Dec. 1st
-Asia/Pac. Rim, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Middle East—Dec. 8th

Priority Mail Express:

-Africa, Central/South America—Dec. 8th
-Asia/Pac. Rim, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Middle East—Dec. 15th

Global Express Guaranteed*:

-Central/South America—Dec. 18th
-Asia/Pac. Rim, Africa, Mexico—Dec. 19th
-Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East—Dec. 20th

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Military AFO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 Mail-by Dates for Expected Delivery by December 25

  • Nov. 6—Retail Ground
  • Nov. 27—Space Available Mail (SAM)6
  • Dec. 4—Parcel Air Lift Mail (PAL)5
  • Dec. 11—First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®
  • Dec. 18—Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)4

Military AFO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 Mail-by Dates for Expected Delivery by December 25

  • Nov. 6–Retail Ground
  • Nov. 27–Space Available Mail (SAM)6
  • Dec. 4–Parcel Air Lift Mail (PAL)5, Priority Mail®, First Class Mail®

Military AFO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 Mail-by Dates for Expected Delivery by December 25

  • Nov. 6–Retail Ground
  • Nov. 27–Space Available Mail (SAM)6
  • Dec. 4–Parcel Air Lift (PAL)5
  • Dec. 11–First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®
  • Dec. 18–Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)4

Military AFO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340 Mail-by Dates for Expected Delivery by December 25

  • Nov. 6–Retail Ground
  • Nov. 27–Space Available Mail (SAM)6
  • Dec. 4–Parcel Air Lift (PAL)5
  • Dec. 11–First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®
  • Dec. 18–Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)3

Military AFO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966 Mail-by Dates for Expected Delivery by December 25

  • Nov. 6–Retail Ground
  • Nov. 27–Space Available Mail (SAM)1
  • Dec. 4–Parcel Air Lift (PAL)2
  • Dec. 11–First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®
  • Dec. 18–Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)4
4. PMEMS is available to selected military/diplomatic Post Offices™. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address. 
5. PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for USPS Retail Ground, Package Services, and Parcel Select® items not exceeding 30 lbs in weight or 60" in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
6. SAM parcels are paid at USPS Retail Ground prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 lbs and 60" in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

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    For further details, please visit USPS's website.