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USPS holiday mailing deadlines: When to send packages to arrive by Christmas

If you want those gifts to arrive on time, sooner is always better than later.
USPS holiday mailing deadlines: When to send packages to arrive by Christmas
FILE - The United States Postal Service logo is shown on delivery vans parked outside the main post office March 23, 2026, in east Denver.
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The United States Postal Service has announced its recommended mailing dates for the holiday season, giving customers a timeline to ensure their packages and mail arrive before Dec. 25.

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For those shipping within the contiguous U.S., the USPS recommends the following deadlines:

  • USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 17
  • First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express: Dec. 19

Customers shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories should plan to send items a bit earlier, with these recommended deadlines:

  • USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16
  • First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express: Dec. 19

The USPS recommends that anyone planning to mail or ship packages this holiday season do so sooner rather than later to ensure on-time delivery.

For those shipping to military or international addresses, a complete list of recommended mailing dates will be available on the USPS holiday shipping page beginning mid-October.