USPS Announces 2022 Domestic, Military, and Diplomatic Mail Shipping Deadlines for Christmas Delivery

The USPS announced its recommended mailing deadlines for expected delivery by December 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses.

USPS Military and Diplomatic Mailing Deadlines

• Nov. 5 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service

USPS does not guarantee delivery dates to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. These are subject to military transport.

Mailing dates are for estimated delivery before December 25. The actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time, and other conditions.

USPS Contiguous Mailing Deadlines

• Dec. 17 — USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

USPS Mailing Deadlines to Alaska

• Dec. 2 —Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — USPS Retail Ground
• Dec. 17 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 21 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — Priority Mail Express*

USPS Mailing Deadlines to Hawaii

• Dec. 17 — Hawaii to/from the mainland — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
• Dec. 21 — Hawaii to/from the mainland — Priority Mail Express*

*For USPS Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two business days.

The US Postal Service did not provide mailing deadlines for Puerto Rico, Guam, and other territories that are generally considered “domestic” shipments. However, it’s generally a good practice to follow Hawaii’s mailing deadlines.

USPS shipping surcharges also apply to most shipments from October 2, 2022. See this post for more details.

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