What Are USPS Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages?
The U.S. Postal Service and UPS Store in Chelsea offer tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.
Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all across the country and the world?
If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early you must buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they leave Walpole and get to their destination in time for the holidays.
Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece:
- Double-check addresses & write legibly
- Shake boxes to make sure they’re well packed
- Priority Mail is fast for last minute gifts
- Express Mail is even faster
Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail
Calculated for Dec. 25, 2012.
|
Domestic Mail Class/Product |
Dates |
|
First-Class Mail® Service |
Dec. 20 |
|
Priority Mail® Service |
Dec. 21 |
|
Express Mail® Service |
Dec. 22 |
|
Parcel Post® Service |
Dec. 14 |
|
Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship |
Dec. 19 |
|
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship |
Dec. 21 |
Holiday Dates for International Mail
|
Destination |
Global Express Guaranteed® Service |
Express Mail® Service |
Priority Mail® Service |
First-Class Mail® International Service |
|
Africa |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 3 |
Dec. 3 |
|
Asia / Pacific Rim |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Australia / New Zealand |
Dec. 18 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Canada |
Dec. 20 |
Dec. 17 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Caribbean |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Central & South America |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 11 |
Dec. 3 |
Dec. 3 |
|
Mexico |
Dec. 20 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 10 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Europe |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
|
Middle East |
Dec. 19 |
Dec. 15 |
Dec. 13 |
Dec. 10 |
Click here for send-by dates for military mail.
For last-minute shoppers, the UPS Store in Chelsea will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. From Dec. 17 through Dec. 21, the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Store Manager Devak Patel said customers who want to ensure their package arrives for Christmas should plan to mail it no later than the weekend prior to the holiday. The store also offers next day delivery for a special fee.
"We usually see a lot of traffic the week before Christmas," Patel said. "It's a good time for us."
For a pricing schedule on all packages, visit http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/4822/.
