USPS releases holiday shipping deadlines

FILE-A United States Postal Service (USPS) worker delivers packages in San Francisco, California, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

If you are making plans to send off packages for the holidays this year, the U.S. Postal Service released its holiday shipping deadlines on Tuesday. 

USPS has a list of recommended send-by dates for the delivery of packages before Dec. 25.

RELATED: UPS hiring 125K seasonal workers: Here's who else is hiring for the holidays

This year’s holiday mailing and shipping dates are for items delivered to addresses in adjacent states (lower 48 states), per a USPS release

  • USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 18
  • First-Class Mail service: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail service: Dec. 19
  • Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 21

Additionally, the 2024 holiday mailing and shipping dates for items sent to addresses in Alaska and Hawaii are as follows:

  • USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 16
  • First-Class Mail service: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail service: Dec. 19
  • Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 20

USPS officials are notifying customers sending packages internationally, or to military addresses, to check the agency’s list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates here

RELATED: What to do if your package gets stolen

Consumers should also plan ahead and ship their packages early during the holiday season to avoid delays.