Hundreds of millions of packages will be crisscrossing the country over the next two months as people prepare for the holidays. That’s a lot of shipping and a lot of packages.
To make sure your gifts get to their destination on time, FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service released their deadlines. All agencies ask that you send your packages as early as possible to best guarantee their delivery. Even though rush shipping is available in most instances, it will cost you.
December 15 – USPS Retail Ground
Ground service for less-than urgent deliveries and oversized package
December 20 – First-Class Mail
Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less
December 21 – Priority Mail
Domestic service in 1, 2 or 3 business days based on where the package is mailed and where it’s being sent, variety of flat-rate options
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express
Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations
Military shipping deadlines:
|
Military Mail Addressed |
Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1 |
First-Class Mail |
Priority Mail |
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 |
Space Available |
USPS Retail Ground |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 |
Dec 16 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 02 |
Nov 25 |
Nov 07 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093 |
N/A |
Dec 02 |
Dec 02 |
Dec 02 |
Nov 25 |
Nov 07 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098 |
Dec 16 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 02 |
Nov 25 |
Nov 07 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340 |
Dec 16 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 02 |
Nov 25 |
Nov 07 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966 |
Dec 16 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 09 |
Dec 02 |
Nov 25 |
Nov 07 |
International shipping deadlines:
|
International Mail Addressed To |
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)*** |
Priority Mail Express International (PMEI) |
Priority Mail International (PMI) |
First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) |
|
Africa |
Dec 20 |
Dec 08 |
Dec 01 |
Dec 01 |
|
Asia/Pacific Rim |
Dec 20 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 08 |
Dec 08 |
|
Australia/New Zealand |
Dec 20 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 08 |
Dec 08 |
|
Canada |
Dec 22 |
Dec 17 |
Dec 10 |
Dec 08 |
|
Caribbean |
Dec 22 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 10 |
Dec 08 |
|
Central & South America |
Dec 21 |
Dec 10 |
Dec 01 |
Dec 01 |
|
Mexico |
Dec 21 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 08 |
Dec 08 |
|
Europe |
Dec 21 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 10 |
Dec 08 |
|
Middle East |
Dec 19 |
Dec 15 |
Dec 10 |
Dec 08 |
***GXG Notes: 1) Cutoff date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance. 2) Should allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major cities.
