Holiday shipping deadlines
Cutoff dates for December 25
If you’re shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Dec. 7–Dec. 15), 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!
If you’ll be visiting a USPS location in person, view the holiday schedule and hours.
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2023 Holiday shipping dates for contiguous U.S. (lower 48 states)
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
| Domestic Mail Class/Product | Date (excluding Alaska & Hawaii) |
|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage™ Service | Dec. 16 |
| First-Class Mail® Service | Dec. 16 |
| Priority Mail® Service | Dec. 18 |
| Priority Mail Express® Service2 | Dec. 20 |
2023 Holiday shipping dates for Alaska & Hawaii
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| USPS Ground Advantage™ Service | First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express® Service2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Dec. 16 |
Dec. 16 |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 20 |
| Hawaii | Dec. 16 |
Dec. 16 |
Dec. 16 |
Dec. 20 |
1 Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office™ acceptance time, and other conditions.
2 As of August 1, 2023, USPS will no longer process refund requests for guaranteed service on these items. Refund requests for loss will still be processed.
2023 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. 15 |
| Asia / Pacific Rim | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Australia / New Zealand | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Canada | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Caribbean | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Central & South America | Nov. 29 |
Nov. 29 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 15 |
| Europe | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Mexico | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
| Middle East | Dec. 6 |
Dec. 6 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 15 |
3 GXG® 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.
2023 Holiday shipping dates for military mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 251
Expand All| Addressed to | USPS Ground Advantage™ Service | First-Class Mail® Service | Priority Mail® Service | Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092 | Nov. 6 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 15 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 | Nov. 6 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
N/A |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 | Nov. 6 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 15 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIPs 340 | Nov. 6 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 15 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966 | Nov. 6 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 9 |
Dec. 15 |
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.
