The end of the year is coming up fast, and it is time to think about getting your packages shipped for delivery before the holidays. Here are some dates to remember so your items arrive on time and at the best rates.
First off, I have some sad news, the USPS is placing a temporary price increase this holiday season. Read about the temporary price increase.
The dates that I am listing should allow for your letters and packages to arrive before December 25th for domestic addresses along with Air/Army Post Offices (APO), Fleet Post Offices (FPO), and Diplomatic Post Offices (DPO). Here is the announcement from USPS.com.
I always like to start out with dates for the APO/FPO/DPO addresses as those are the first needing to ship. These letters and packages take a little longer to be distributed worldwide, and the men and women serving our country always look forward to receiving packages as they are away from family and friends during the holiday season.
The dates below are for APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
- USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 4
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
- Priority Mail — Dec. 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 16*
Packages that are going to the continental United States should be in the mail not later than the dates listed below. Excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Territories.
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 17
- First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) Dec. 17
- Priority Mail — Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 19
Dates for sending letters and packages to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Territories.
- USPS Ground Advantage — See Below (3-4)
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 17
- Priority Mail — Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 19 – See Below (5)
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 16
- Priority Mail — Dec. 16
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 19
(Fine print from USPS: Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office™ acceptance time, and other conditions. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires that mailers prepay duties, taxes, and fees, and obtain proof of payment on all articles valued up to $2,500 entering the customs territory of the United States (CTUS) from the following insular possessions and territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Please review the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail (DMM) for details. Ground Advantage packages that are shipped to or from offshore ZIP codes™ (AK, HI, PR, and U.S. Territories) may experience longer transit times and extended Estimated Delivery Dates (EDD). Please review the EDD for these ZIP codes™ and adjust the induction date as needed. USPS Ground Advantage packages between the contiguous United States and the following locations will have a 10-day or more service expectation: Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Freely Associated States. Days will vary due to the range of distances between locations. Customers can look up service expectations on usps.com for mailings from one ZIP Code™ to another on a particular mailing date: https://postcalc.usps.com/ServiceCommitments. 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.)
The USPS also has some new package regulations regarding used electronics and hazardous materials. Those include Lithium-ion batteries (used cell phones for example). These items must now be shipped using surface transportation.
Do not forget you can get free Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes at your local post office. You can also get shipping supplies from the Postal Store and holiday stamps from USPS.com.
I would like to wish everyone a healthy, happy holiday season.
Happy Shipping and Mailing,
Rob Hanks
