Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff Dates for December 25
If you're shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Dec. 10–18), Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1) or other holiday traditions, find the USPS® recommended domestic, international, and military deadlines in these tables.
2020 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
2020 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| Destination | First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express® Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Dec. 18 |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 21 |
| Hawaii | Dec. 15 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 21 |
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 with 2 business days. See DMM® Section 604.9.2.
2020 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. 30 |
Nov. 30 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 19 |
| Asia/Pacific Rim | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 19 |
| Australia/New Zealand | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 17 |
| Canada | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 22 |
| Carribbean | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 22 |
| Central & South America | Nov. 30 |
Nov. 30 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 17 |
| Europe | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 17 |
| Mexico | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 22 |
| Middle East | Dec. 7 |
Dec. 7 |
Dec. 14 |
Dec. 19 |
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.
2020 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)4 | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)5 | First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092 | Nov. 6 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 18 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 | Nov. 6 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
N/A |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098 | Nov. 6 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 18 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 | Nov. 6 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 18 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 | Nov. 6 |
Nov. 27 |
Dec. 4 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 18 |
4 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.
5 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for USPS Retail Ground® items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches 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 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.