Deadline to mail by Christmas: Important dates to know

WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 20: Will Weems (L) gets help from U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee Julia Street-Jones (R) as he mails boxes of Christmas presents at…

WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 20: Will Weems (L) gets help from U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee Julia Street-Jones (R) as he mails boxes of Christmas presents at a U.S. Post Office December 20, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Monday before Christmas is the busiest day of the year for the USPS. The card and letter volume triples to about 280 million, sending the daily mail volume up to about 850 million pieces. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

by: Aaron Tolentino

Posted: Dec 2, 2022 / 03:27 PM PST

Updated: Dec 2, 2022 / 03:34 PM PST

(KRON) — It’s that time of year. While many families and loved ones are expected to gather on Christmas Day and exchange presents, some aren’t able to meet in person. Many will send their loved ones gifts via mail.

The United States Postal Service announced its shipping deadlines for when mail needs to be sent, so it can arrive at recipients’ doorsteps by Dec. 25.

Dec. 9: Air/Army Post Office (APO) | Fleet Post Office (FPO) | Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) [all ZIP Codes] for Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 16: APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) for USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Dec. 17: USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 17: First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 17: First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 19: Priority Mail service
Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express* service