USPS announces recommended 2026 holiday mailing, shipping deadlines

(Gray News) - The U.S. Postal Service has released its recommended mailing and shipping deadlines for customers ahead of the 2026 holiday season.

For expected delivery before Dec. 25 within the contiguous United States, USPS recommends sending items by Dec. 17 for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 19 for Priority Mail Express, the website said.

For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, the recommended deadline for USPS Ground Advantage is Dec. 16.

The recommended dates are Dec. 17 for First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 19 for Priority Mail Express.

The Postal Service recommends that customers mail and ship packages early during the holiday season to help ensure arrival by Dec. 25.

A complete list of recommended mailing dates for packages being sent to military and international addresses is expected to be available on the USPS holiday shipping website beginning in mid-October.