Looking to send military mail for the holidays? Whether you’re writing letters with your kindergarten class or sending care packages to a loved one, there’s a deadline for mailing Christmas packages to troops both inside the continental U.S. and outside it. Check out the military holiday mail deadlines below.

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Military Mail Deadlines for Christmas 2022

Depending on the location and types of shipping, holiday delivery deadlines will vary. The United States Postal Service outlines all the dates on their website, but here are the most important ones you should know, including the last day to mail priority packages for Christmas (for most people, it’s December 19).

Contiguous U.S. Mail Holiday Schedule 2022 Deadlines

• USPS Retail Ground: December 17
• First-Class Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail: December 19
• Priority Mail Express: December 23

Last Day To Mail Christmas Packages Outside Contiguous U.S.

Alaska

• First-Class Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail Express: December 21
• USPS Retail Ground: December 2

Hawaii

• First-Class Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail Express: December 21
• USPS Retail Ground: N/A

Africa

• First-Class Package International: November 29
• Priority Mail International: November 29
• Priority Mail Express International: December 6
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 20

Asia/Pacific Rim

• First-Class Package International: December 6
• Priority Mail International: December 6
• Priority Mail Express International: December 13
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 20

Canada

• First-Class Package International: December 6
• Priority Mail International: December 6
• Priority Mail Express International: December 13
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 22

Europe

• First-Class Package International Service: December 6
• Priority Mail International: December 6
• Priority Mail Express International: December 13
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 21

Mexico

• First-Class Package International Service: December 6
• Priority Mail International: December 6
• Priority Mail Express International: December 13
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 22

Middle East

• First-Class Package International Service: December 6
• Priority Mail International: December 6
• Priority Mail Express International: December 13
• Global Express Guaranteed: December 20

AE Military Zips Holiday Mailing Deadlines

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092

• USPS Retail Ground: November 5
• First-Class Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military (PMEMS): December 16

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093

• USPS Retail Ground: November 5
• First-Class Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military (PMEMS): N/A

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099

• USPS Retail Ground: November 5
• First-Class Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military (PMEMS): December 16

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340

• USPS Retail Ground: November 5
• First-Class Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military (PMEMS): December 16

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966

• USPS Retail Ground: November 5
• First-Class Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail: December 9
• Priority Mail Express Military (PMEMS): December 16

Tips for Sending Military Mail

Sending holiday mail to troops can be daunting, but the fine folks at USPS are professionals at this. They can answer any questions and address any concerns you might have about sending mail to military members. Even so, we’ve gathered a few tips to make your life and theirs a bit easier if you plan on sending out Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa packages to troops this year.

• Don’t forget the shipping dates and mail deadlines for Christmas. Memorize them. If you want to send someone in the continental U.S. standard mail for the holidays and you wait until December 18, you’re gonna be out of luck. Don’t be that person.
• Your local post office will offer free shipping supplies. Find your store and order free boxes, envelopes, labels, and more here.
• Printing your shipping labels at home ahead of time makes the whole process smoother and quicker. You can start here.
• Schedule an at-home pickup for fast and convenient service through the USPS. You can check availability at your location here.
• Mailing deadlines aren’t the only important thing to remember. Check the USPS's list of restricted and prohibited items before you set up your package.

Happy Holidays!

No matter what holiday you and the military member in your life celebrate, sending care packages and letters during the holidays is a great way to give back and help them feel at home and comforted during the season. Military mail doesn’t have to be complicated to be impactful; just make sure to keep the holiday mail deadlines in mind before you get ready to send!

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