Military Mail Deadlines for Christmas 2016 Delivery

WASHINGTON, DC — Nothing brings the holidays home to military members serving overseas like the delivery of presents, care packages and cards in time for Christmas. The U.S. Postal Service reminds families that deadlines are coming up fast to ship items and ensure they arrive by Dec. 25.

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail

• First-Class Mail: Must be sent by Dec. 20
• Priority Mail: Dec. 21
• Priority Mail Express: Dec. 23
• Standard Post: Dec. 15
• DNDC Drop Ship: Dec. 19
• DDU Drop Ship: Dec. 22

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

To ensure timely delivery of holiday items by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.

Priority mail deadlines are Dec. 9; first-class letters and cards must be sent by Dec. 9; and priority mail express items should be shipped by Dec. 16.

To send packages to loved ones serving in the military abroad, the Postal Service offers a discounted price of $16.75 on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. The price includes a $2-per-box discount for mail sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are available at no cost at local Post Offices and online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship at usps.com/ship.

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