Please note: USPS has changed all First Class mailing standards from 2-3 days to 5 days. What does this mean for you? Expect longer delivery times for all classes of mail. Plan accordingly, allowing the additional time needed when creating mailing projects or event mailings. Time-sensitive documents will need to ship USPS Express, a 2-3 end-of-day commit or UPS overnight. Some ground services in UPS are taking an additional day as well.
Personal package mailing hours 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. only.
USPS deadlines
Here are the United States Postal Service’s recommended “send-by dates for expected delivery” before Dec. 25 in the 48 contiguous states:
· Retail Ground: Dec. 15
· First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
· Priority Mail: Dec. 18
· Priority Mail Express: Dec. 23
Note: Ground shipping deadline to Alaska is Dec. 2, First-Class and Priority deadline is Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express is Dec. 21. For Hawaii, Dec. 17 is the deadline for First-Class and Priority Mail, and Dec. 21 is the deadline for Priority Mail Express.
UPS deadlines for Christmas Eve delivery
The following are the recommended last days for shipping gifts domestically for Dec. 24 delivery:
- Ground: Check the UPS website for a quote.
- 3-Day Select: Dec. 21
- 2nd Day Air: Dec. 22
- Next Day Air: Dec. 23
Note: UPS says its service guarantee is suspended on most packages but that starting Oct. 18 and until further notice, it has made some “operational adjustments,” which includes extending delivery commitment times for UPS Next Day Air from 10:30 a.m. to noon.