Postal Service Holiday Mailing Deadlines
WASHINGTON — The US Postal Service says next week is the last week to get holiday gifts and greetings in the mail by the recommended deadlines. Customer traffic at all Post Office locations has been steadily increasing since Dec. 1, with the week of Dec. 15 expected to be the busiest of the year.
Post Office locations nationwide will be closed Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026).
All Post Office locations will be open, and regular mail delivery will resume, on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, and Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
Services and hours of operation may vary by location. Check with your local Post Office for specific hours. For more details, visit usps.com/holidayhours.
2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
For expected delivery before Dec. 251, the Postal Service recommends the following send-by dates:
2025 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)
- Dec. 17 — USPS Ground Advantage service
- Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail
- Dec. 18 — Priority Mail
- Dec. 20 — Priority Mail Express2
2025 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories
- Dec. 16 — USPS Ground Advantage service3
- Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail
- Dec. 18 — Priority Mail
- Dec. 20 — Priority Mail Express4
1. Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office™ acceptance time, and other conditions.
2. For Priority Mail Express® 1-Day shipments mailed December 22nd through December 25th, postage for the money-back, guaranteed service is not refunded if the shipment was delivered, or delivery was attempted, within two (2) business days of the date of mailing.
3. Ground Advantage packages weighing over 1 lb. that are shipped to or from offshore ZIP codes (AK, HI, PR, and U.S. Territories) may experience longer transit times and extended Estimated Delivery Dates (EDD). Please review the EDD for these ZIP codes and adjust the induction date as needed.
4. Excluding Puerto Rico, USPS does not process refund requests for guaranteed service on these items. Refund requests for loss will still be processed.
