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Postal Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages
The U.S. Postal Service offers tips for delivering gifts in time for the holidays.
Christmas is just two weeks from today, and that means you are quickly running out of business days for mailing gifts to out-of-town friends and relatives.
Before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early you should buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they get to their destination in time for the holidays.
Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece:
- Double check addresses and write legibly.
- Shake boxes to make sure they’re well packed.
- Priority Mail is fast for last-minute gifts.
- Express Mail is even faster.
Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail
Calculated for Dec. 25, 2012:
|
Domestic Mail Class/Product |
Dates |
|
First-Class Mail Service |
Dec. 20 |
|
Priority Mail Service |
Dec. 21 |
|
Express Mail Service |
Dec. 22 |
|
Parcel Post Service |
Dec. 14 |
|
Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship |
Dec. 19 |
|
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship |
Dec. 21 |
Holiday Dates for International Mail
|
Destination |
Global Express Guaranteed Service |
Express Mail Service |
Priority Mail Service |
First-Class Mail — International Service |
|
Africa |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 3 |
Dec. 3 |
|
Asia / Pacific Rim |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Australia / New Zealand |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Canada |
Dec. 20 |
Dec. 17 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Caribbean |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Central & South America |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 3 |
Dec. 3 |
|
Mexico |
Dec. 20 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Europe |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Middle East |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
Are you mailing gifts or cards to loved ones out of state or country?
Tell us in the comments.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
