This year’s holiday shipping and mailing deadlines have been announced by the U.S. Postal Service. These deadlines cover both international and military shipping destinations, ensuring that letters and packages arrive by December 25th.
For this holiday season, the Postal Service has decided to waive any peak or demand surcharge.
2023 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines
Within the Lower 48 (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
- Dec. 16th is the deadline for sending First-Class Mail, which includes greeting cards.
- Priority Mail — Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Alaska
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
- Priority Mail — Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Hawaii
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
- Priority Mail — Dec. 16
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20
Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
- USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 6
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
- Priority Mail — Dec. 9
- December 15th is the cutoff date for Priority Mail Express Military Service.
The PMEMS service is not accessible for ZIP codes 093 in APO/FPO/DPO AE locations.
International Mail
Shipping deadlines for international mail vary depending on the destination. Check out International Mail and Shipping Services for details. The Postal Service is a secure shipping option that meets international mail shipping needs to over 180 countries.
USPS Is Ready for the Peak Shipping Season
A new shipping option this year is USPS Ground Advantage, a service that provides a simple, reliable and affordable way to ship packages with day certain delivery of 2-5 business days based on distance.
In addition to our convenient retail locations, customers can purchase their shipping labels, order Priority Mail packaging and schedule free carrier pick up via the Postal Service’s shipping platform Click-N-Ship. Customers using the platform will have access to Commercial Shipping Rates that will apply to all domestic package labels — making it easier for customers to ship their packages.
The Postal Service is built for the holidays, serving 165 million addresses across the country and covering every state, city and town. Everyone living in the United States and its territories has access to postal products and services.
Review the details on how to ship packages to military and diplomatic addresses at domestic prices, even if you are sending mail overseas. Notably, the Postal Service is the only delivery service that ships to APO, FPO and DPO addresses.
More tools and tips to help customers prepare for the busy holiday season can be found in the USPS Holiday Newsroom.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase, stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.
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The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service primarily sustains its operations through the sale of postage, products, and services, rather than relying on tax dollars for operating expenses.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
