2022 Christmas USPS Shipping Deadlines to APO/FPO/DPO

Here are the range of deadlines for mailing USPS military care packages to deployed soldiers overseas  to ensure delivery before Christmas.

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail (Lower 48 States)

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25. *1

Domestic Mail Class/Product	Cutoff Date
Standard USPS Retail Ground	Dec. 17
First-Class Mail	Dec. 17
Priority Mail	Dec. 19
Priority Mail Express *2	Dec. 23

Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25. *1

Destination	First-Class Mail® Service	Priority Mail® Service	Priority Mail Express® Service *2	USPS Retail Ground®
Alaska	Dec. 17	Dec. 17	Dec. 21	Dec. 2
Hawaii	Dec. 17	Dec. 17	Dec. 21	N/A

Holiday Dates for International Mail

International Mail Addressed to:	First-Class Package International Service®	Priority Mail International® (PMI) Service	Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI) Service	Global Express Guaranteed® Service Service *3
Africa	Nov. 29	Nov. 29	Dec. 6	Dec. 20
Asia/Pacific Rim	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 20
Australia/New Zealand	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 20
Canada	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 22
Caribbean	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 21
Central and South America	Nov. 29	Nov. 29	Dec. 6	Dec. 20
Europe	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 21
Mexico	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 22
Middle East	Dec. 6	Dec. 6	Dec. 13	Dec. 20

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

Military Mail	USPS Retail Ground® Service	First-Class Mail® Service	Priority Mail® Service	Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS) *6
Addressed to:
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092	Nov. 5	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Dec. 16
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093	Nov. 5	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	N/A
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Nov. 5	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Dec. 16
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340	Nov. 5	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Dec. 16
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Nov. 5	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Dec. 16

1. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions, including customs delays.
2. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered or delivery was not attempted with 2 business days. See DMM® Section 604.9.2.
3. GXG^® Notes: Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions, including customs delays. Some restrictions apply.
4. SAM parcels are paid at USPS Retail Ground prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 lbs and 60″ 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.
5. PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for USPS Retail Ground® 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 price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
6. PMEMS is 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.

Send no later than these deadline dates and try to ship before these dates.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are offered at a discount price of $13.45 for any shipping to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office).

The USPS Post office offers free military care kits which includes:

• 2 Priority Mail APO/FPO flat rate boxes
• 2 Priority Mail Medium flat rate boxes
• Priority Mail tape
• Priority Mail address labels
• Appropriate customs forms

Call 800-610-8734 to order the kit

FAQs

Can I use FedEx, UPS or DHL to ship to APO addresses?

Unfortunately, only the USPS, in conjunction with the Military Postal Service Agency, delivers to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. However, some solutions work with the USPS to ensure final delivery, such as FedEx SmartPost and ShipitAPO.

FedEx SmartPost will ship to a USPS location closest to its destination. The USPS then handles the final delivery to the recipient. 

ShipitAPO is a unique service that allows online shoppers to ship to any APO/FPO/DPO address. When a company doesn’t allow APO/FPO/DPO shipping, people with an account with ShipitAPO can send the package to ShipitAPO, who ships the package to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

Can my care package to an international service member still get there if I ship after the deadline?

There is a chance but there are no assurances.  The only way to guarantee delivery is to send your care package on or before the deadline dates listed.

Is there a way to deliver a package to overseas military after the shipping deadline?

FedEx SmartPost may arrive at the USPS destination sooner than other USPS packages sent on the same date, but there’s no guarantee. Contact FedEx to confirm delivery dates.

Can I internationally ship an iPad or any electronic device with a lithium battery to an APO/FPO/DPO address?

Yes.

Keep reading for tips on sending military care packages overseas here.