Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff Dates for December 25
If you're shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Nov. 28–Dec. 6), Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1), or other holiday traditions, find the USPS® recommended domestic, international, and military deadlines in these tables. The earlier you send, the better: Don’t delay, mail and ship today!
- Check recommended shipping dates below.
- Get free shipping supplies online or at your local Post Office™.
- Print shipping labels.
- Schedule a free package pickup.
2021 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
2021 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express® Service | USPS Retail Ground® Service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Dec. 18 |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 21 |
Dec. 2 |
| Hawaii | Dec. 17 |
Dec. 17 |
Dec. 21 |
N/A |
1Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions, including customs delays.
2For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed December 22 through December 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered or delivery was not attempted within 2 business days. See DMM® Section 604.9.2.
2021 Holiday Shipping Dates for International Mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| Destination | First-Class Package International Service® | Priority Mail International® Service | Priority Mail Express International® Service | Global Express Guaranteed® Service3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | Nov. 29 |
Nov. 29 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 20 |
| Asia/Pacific Rim | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 20 |
| Australia/New Zealand | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 20 |
| Canada | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 22 |
| Caribbean | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 21 |
| Central & South America | Nov. 29 |
Nov. 29 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 20 |
| Europe | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 21 |
| Mexico | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 22 |
| Middle East | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 20 |
3GXG® Notes: Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before December 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions, including customs delays. Some restrictions apply.
2021 Holiday Shipping Dates for Military Mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| Addressed to | USPS Retail Ground® Service | Space Available Mail (SAM) | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) | First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092 | Nov. 6 |
Services no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 16 |
|
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 | Nov. 6 |
Service no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
N/A |
||
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 | Nov. 6 |
Service no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 16 |
||
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 | Nov. 6 |
Service no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 16 |
||
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 | Nov. 6 |
Service no longer available |
Service no longer available |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 16 |
||
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.