INDIANA — The U.S. Postal Service has announced its recommended mailing and shipping deadlines for the 2026 holiday season, giving consumers early guidance to ensure cards and packages arrive before Christmas Day.
To help ensure expected deliveries arrive by Dec. 25, postal officials advise customers nationwide to plan ahead and send mail and packages by specific service deadlines.
Recommended Deadlines for the Contiguous U.S.
For customers shipping within the lower 48 states, the recommended deadlines are:
- USPS Ground Advantage Service: Dec. 17
- First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
- Priority Mail: Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Dec. 19
Recommended Deadlines for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories
For mail destined for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories, the Postal Service suggests the following schedule:
- USPS Ground Advantage Service: Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
- Priority Mail: Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Dec. 19
International and Military Shipping
A complete list of suggested shipping deadlines for military (APO/FPO/DPO) and international addresses will be available on the USPS holiday shipping page starting in mid-October.
Postal officials emphasize that customers should always send packages as early as possible during the peak holiday period to ensure on-time delivery.
Preparing for the Holiday Season
Resources to assist with holiday preparation—including tips on packaging guidelines, restricted items, ordering free flat-rate shipping boxes, and checking local Post Office operating hours—are available at usps.com and on the USPS YouTube channel. Additional updates and resources can be found on the USPS Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynews.
The U.S. Postal Service operates as an independent federal establishment serving more than 170 million addresses nationwide. Receiving generally no tax dollars for operating expenses, USPS relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its ongoing operations and modernization initiatives.
