USPS Announces 2026 Holiday Mailing Deadlines: December 17 for Ground and First-Class, December 19 for Express
The U.S. Postal Service has announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season. For expected delivery before December 25 within the contiguous United States, USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail should be sent by December 17, Priority Mail by December 18, and Priority Mail Express by December 19.
For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, the recommended Ground Advantage date moves one day earlier, to December 16, while the other services keep the same dates. USPS also noted that Hanukkah falls earlier this year, from December 4 to 12, and advised customers to adjust their mailing plans accordingly.
A complete list of suggested dates for military and international addresses is available on the USPS holiday shipping page from mid-October. The Postal Service said customers should always plan to mail and ship early during the holiday season.
The dates, released by USPS on September 22, are recommended send-by dates for expected pre-Christmas delivery, not guarantees.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国邮政邮筒。图：Tony Webster／Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 2.0。A USPS mail collection box. Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
