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You are here: Home / Military Life / Off Duty / 2017 USPS Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates for Military Members
by Ryan Guina
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2017 USPS Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates for Military Members

The Christmas holidays are almost here, which means you need to act quickly if you have friends or family members who are living overseas on a military installation. Shipping to MPO / APO / FPO / DPO (Military Post Office™, Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office) addresses can take a little longer than shipping in the continental US, especially when the holiday season rolls around.

The following tables list the USPS holiday cut off dates for domestic, MPO/APO/FPO/DPO, and other overseas locations. Pay attention to the shipping cut off dates in order to make sure your Christmas gifts and care packages arrive on time for the holidays. You should try to beat the cut off dates if possible, as some shipments may require customs checks or may experience other delays.

Military Holiday Mail Shipping Cut Off Dates

2017 Domestic Mail Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates

The following chart lists the cut off dates for domestic mail packages to reach their destination by the Christmas holiday. When in doubt, try to get your package out earlier than the cut off date if possible.

Domestic Mail Class/ProductCut Off Date
USPS Retail GroundDec 14
First-Class Mail®Dec 19
Priority MailDec 20
Express Mail*Dec 22

2017 Military Mail Christmas Holiday Cut Off Dates

USPS holiday mail schedule for militaryMilitary members can receive standard packages at Military Post Offices (MPO), Army/Air Force Post Offices (APO) and Fleet Post Offices (FPO) addresses. The price of Military Mail postage is the same as domestic postage, and a First-Class® Mail stamp will deliver a letter to a U.S.military service member located anywhere in the world. These packages are first sent to the east or west coast of the US and then shipped to military installations worldwide. Keep in mind there can be delays, so it is best to ship your package early if possible.

Military Mail Addressed ToExpress Mail® Military Service (PMEMS)1/First-Class Mail® Letters and CardsPriority Mail®Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/Space Available Mail (SAM)3/USPS Retail Ground
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092Dec 16Dec 11Dec 11Dec 04Nov 27Nov 06
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093N/ADec 04Dec 04Dec 04Nov 27Nov 06
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098Dec 16Dec 11Dec 11Dec 04Nov 27Nov 06
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340Dec 16Dec 11Dec 11Dec 04Nov 27Nov 06
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966Dec 16Dec 11Dec 11Dec 04Nov 27Nov 06

1/ PMEMS: Available to selected military/diplomatic Post Offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

2/ PAL: A service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Standard Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3/ SAM: Parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM Parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

International Mail Christmas Holiday Cut Off Dates

International Mail Addressed ToGlobal Express Guaranteed® (GXG)*Express Mail® International (EMS)Priority Mail® International (PMI)First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS)
AfricaDec 19Dec 07Nov 30Nov 30
Asia/Pacific RimDec 19Dec 14Dec 07Dec 07
Australia/New ZealandDec 19Dec 14Dec 07Dec 07
CanadaDec 21Dec 16Dec 09Dec 07
CaribbeanDec 21Dec 14Dec 09Dec 07
Central & South AmericaDec 20Dec 09Nov 30Nov 30
MexicoDec 20Dec 14Dec 07Dec 07
EuropeDec 20Dec 14Dec 09Dec 07
Middle EastDec 18Dec 14Dec 09Dec 07

*GXG: Cutoff does not take into account time needed for customs clearance. Extra Transit time should be allocated. (more info)

Tips for Sending Military Members Mail Overseas

There are a few restrictions for sending mail to military members in overseas locations. In general, you want to ensure anything you send to military members in an overseas location is legal in the country where they are located. You also want to avoid sending hazardous items, illegal substances, and anything else which may be restricted.

Other tips:

  • Use sturdy packaging. Use a strong box with appropriate tape (no string or twine).
  • Use adequate cushioning. Bubble wrap, air cushions, and Styrofoam peanuts are great for securely packing items.
  • Labels and customs forms. Clearly label the contents, especially if you need a customs form.
  • Batteries. Remove batteries from objects and wrap them separately.
  • Be aware of heat or other extremes. Many military members are stationed in extreme temperatures and some contents may not do well in hot weather (it’s not a good idea, for example, to send chocolate bars to a desert location in the summer).
  • Don’t send packages to “Any Service Member or Any Wounded Warrior.” This practice has been discontinued following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Only send packages to troops you know, or make a donation to a service organization that supplies troops with care packages.

Use the Military Care Kit to Send Presents and Care Packages

The Postal Service has created a free Military Care Kit based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit contains:

  1. Two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Boxes
  2. Two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes
  3. Priority Mail tape
  4. Priority Mail address labels
  5. Appropriate customs forms

To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-dpo.htm. To order Flat-Rate Boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo, go to usps.com/freeboxes.

Photo credit: Eric E Johnson

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Date published: November 1, 2016. Last updated: November 6, 2017.
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Article by Ryan Guina

Ryan Guina is the founder and editor of this site. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over 6 years on active duty in the USAF and is currently serving in the IL Air National Guard. He also writes about money management, small business, and career topics at Cash Money Life. You can also see his profile on Google.

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Comments

  1. Nancy Sadowsky says

    December 4, 2010 at 12:21 am

    Mailed a box priority on 11/02/2010 to APO address from Bottineau, ND 58318. Customs Tracking #CP63 9434 582U S. Box has not been recieved to date 12/02/2010 by military family. I thought I mailed early enough. I just want someone to help track this box so I have some idea what’s going on or what I need to do. When I enter customs tracking # in, it shows me package was delivered in 2009!! It’s very frustrating. Thank You.

    Reply
  2. Rick Smith says

    January 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I mailed a package to my son in germany on 12/10/2010 parcel post. was told should arrive by Christmas. it is now January 15 and they still have not received it. when i enter the customs tracking number, it only shows the date mailed from our post office and no updated information. would like to know if you could help track my box. please email me. thank you in advance. customs #cp588302452us.

    Reply
    • Ryan Guina says

      January 17, 2011 at 2:27 pm

      Hi Rick – you will need to contact the USPS for more information about your package. Best of luck!

      Reply
      • Hate UPS says

        January 17, 2012 at 10:57 am

        USPS will not help you once it is out of their hands. I’ve been looking for four packages for Germany for days! All they could tell me was it was out of their system by 12/24/2011. Customs numbers or not-they are done once it reaches the militray. I’m waiting to hear from [email protected] to see if they can help. Once again-once it is in the hands of the militray the USPS is done and are not much help. Good luck!

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