The holidays can sneak up on me, and I generally forget to plan for the fact that packages being shipped to distant locales need a little lead time.
To help you remember, here are a few suggestions and ‘send by’ dates from the US Postal Service to get your gifts 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 December 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
