Shipping deadlines for 2021 holiday season

The shipping deadlines for the 2021 holiday season have been released. The week of Dec. 13-18, is expected to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week of the holiday season for the U.S. Postal Service. USPS has provided a list of important dates to keep in mind while shopping this year:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

The USPS recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery:

• Nov. 6 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military
• service
• Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 17 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 18 — Priority Mail service
• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

Alaska:

• Dec. 18 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– First-Class Mail
• Dec. 18 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail
• Dec. 21 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail Express
• Hawaii
• Dec. 17 — Hawaii to/from mainland–Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 21 — Hawaii to/from mainland–Priority Mail Express

New Pricing:

Also note, USPS is increasing shipping prices through the season, in place until December 26. Of course, this is not good news for us, so please keep this in mind when ordering from small businesses this year.

Temporary pricing increases for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select Ground and USPS Retail Ground, and First-Class Package Service are as follows: 

• PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes – $0.75 
• Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs. – $0.25 
• Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs. – $0.75
• Zones 1-4, 11-20 lbs. – $1.50
• Zones 5-9, 11-20lbs. – $3
• Zones 1-4, 21-70 lbs. – $2.50
• Zones 5-9, 21-70 lbs. – $5
• First-Class Package Service – $0.30 

See more updates on our Site News page.