USPS Announced Domestic Holiday Shipping Deadlines for 2026
As the 2026 holiday season approaches and peak-season surcharges have already been announced, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled recommended shipping dates to ensure delivery within the United States before December 25. International holiday shipping deadlines have yet to be announced.
While the USPS strives to deliver packages on time, even during the peak holiday season, an increase in shipping volume may cause slight delays. For this reason, the USPS recommends that customers keep the shipping deadlines in mind and plan accordingly when mailing cards and gifts to their loved ones.
To ensure delivery before December 25 (Christmas Day), customers are advised to send mail and packages by the following dates:
Delivery to the 48 Contiguous States
- December 17 for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail
- December 18 for Priority Mail
- December 19 for Priority Mail Express
Delivery to Noncontigous States (Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories
- December 16 for USPS Ground Advantage
- December 17 for First-Class Mail
- December 18 for Priority Mail
- December 19 for Priority Mail Express
Alongside domestic holiday shipping deadlines, the USPS also announced recommended send-by dates for Military Mail:
- November 11 for USPS Ground Advantage
- December 9 for First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
- December 16 for Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) (except for APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093)
International holiday shipping deadlines are expected to be announced in mid-October.