The holiday season is approaching fast, and mailing services are hit hard with the influx of cards and packages that are time sensitive. Here at Specialty Mailing, we don’t want you to miss a beat, which is why we’ve gathered together all the important dates you should mark on your calendars so that your holiday mailings get to their destinations in time!
Mail-by Dates (Domestic Services)
Dec. 15 – Standard Post
Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and over-sized packages.
Dec. 19 – 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.
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
Domestic service in 1, 2, or 3 business days based on where your package starts 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. Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.
Mail-by Dates (International Services)
Customers mailing internationally during the holidays are advised to review the chart below for specific deadlines based on the locations they are mailing to and the service they are using. When mailing and shipping internationally, customers must also follow necessary customs guidelines.
| 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-21 | Dec-8 | Dec-1 | Dec-1 |
| Asia/Pacific Rim | Dec-19 | Dec-15 | Dec-8 | Dec-8 |
| Australia/New Zealand | Dec-19 | Dec-15 | Dec-8 | Dec-8 |
| Canada | Dec-22 | Dec-17 | Dec-11 | Dec-8 |
| Caribbean | Dec-21 | Dec-15 | Dec-11 | Dec-8 |
| Central & South America | Dec-21 | Dec-11 | Dec-1 | Dec-1 |
| Mexico | Dec-22 | Dec-15 | Dec-8 | Dec-8 |
| Europe | Dec-21 | Dec-15 | Dec-11 | Dec-8 |
| Middle East | Dec-19 | Dec-15 | Dec-11 | Dec-8 |
***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.
To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.
| Military Mail Addressed To and From |
Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1 | First-Class Mail Letters and Cards | Priority Mail | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 | Space Available Mail (SAM)3 |
Standard Post |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-25 | Nov-7 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093 | N/A | Dec-03 | Dec-03 | Dec-3 | Nov-25 | Nov-7 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-25 | Nov-7 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-25 | Nov-7 |
| APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-25 | Nov-7 |
If you stay on track with these dates, your holiday cards and packages should arrive in time! Of course, mailing and shipping services cannot control the weather, which can delay traveling time. It is a good idea to get your packages and cards shipped as early as possible to avoid unforeseen circumstances that may delay your mailings.
As always, remember that those people who work in the mailing services have families and loved ones they want to spend their holidays with, too! They work hard, often long hours, to make sure your loved ones get their packages and cards on time this holiday season. Be courteous when interacting with them and make everyone’s holiday a little brighter!
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