Overview
- The Postal Service on Tuesday released recommended cutoff dates to target delivery before Dec. 25, and it stressed these are planning guidelines rather than delivery guarantees.
- For the contiguous U.S., USPS recommends Ground Advantage or First‑Class Mail by Dec. 17, Priority Mail by Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 19.
- For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, the recommended dates move a day earlier for ground service: Ground Advantage by Dec. 16, First‑Class Mail by Dec. 17, Priority Mail by Dec. 18 and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 19.
- USPS said it will publish a complete set of suggested dates for military APO/FPO and international addresses on its holiday shipping page beginning in mid‑October.
- The agency is directing customers to usps.com for packing tips, lists of restricted items, free shipping supplies and local post office hours and it advises sending gifts well before the recommended dates to avoid seasonal congestion.