The Postal Service has recommended deadlines for the holiday mailing and shipping season.
The suggestions, released Oct. 10, are for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic, Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses within the lower 48 states.
Here are the deadlines:
• Nov. 6: APO, FPO and DPO addresses (all ZIP Codes), USPS Ground Advantage service
• Dec. 9: APO, FPO and DPO (all ZIP Codes), Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
• Dec. 15: APO, FPO, DPO (except ZIP Code 093), Priority Mail Express Military service
• Dec. 16: USPS Retail Ground Advantage service
• Dec. 16: First-Class Mail, including greeting cards
• Dec. 18: Priority Mail
• Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
Alaska and Hawaii mail-by deadlines include:
• Dec. 16: USPS Retail Ground Advantage service
• Dec. 16: First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
The Postal Service offers products and services to customers for the holiday shipping season, including free Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes available at local Post Offices and the online Postal Store, Click-N-Ship and Package Pickup.
More tools and tips to help customers prepare for the holiday season are available in the online USPS Holiday Newsroom.