With holiday celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa around the corner, time is running out to send packages or gifts through the mail to loved ones.
But what exactly are the latest dates one can do so?
Recommended Videos
Here’s an outline of deadlines to ship packages so they get to loved ones in time for holiday celebrations, according to the United States Postal Service.
Domestic shipping for lower 48 states
| Product/Service | Date |
|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | Dec. 16 |
| First-Class Mail | Dec. 17 |
| Priority Mail | Dec. 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | Dec. 20 |
Shipping dates for Alaska and Hawaii
| State | First-Class Mail | Priority Mail | Priority Mail Express | USPS Ground Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Dec. 16 | Dec. 188 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 16 |
| Hawaii | Dec. 16 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 16 |
Shipping dates for international mail
| Area | First-Class Package | Priority mail | Priority Mail Express | Global Express |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Military mail
| Addressed to | Ground Advantage | First-Class Mail | Priority Mail | Priority Mail Express |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 AE ZIPs 340 | Nov. 6 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 15 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 | Nov. 6 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 15 |
This article was initially published in 2022. It has since been updated for 2023.