Shipping Packages to Military Members for the Holiday Season

One constant of being in the military is needing to ship packages, both to and from installations, and within and outside the country. Here are this year's important mailing dates:

Holiday Season 2023: Military Shipping Deadlines

For mail addressed to/from: 

AE ZIPs 090-092

• Ground Advantage: Nov. 6
• Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• First-Class (letters and cards) and Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• Priority Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 15

AE ZIP 093

• Ground Advantage: Nov. 6
• Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• First-Class (letters and cards) and Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• Priority Express Mail Military Service: None

AE ZIP 094-099

• Ground Advantage: Nov. 6
• Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• First-Class (letters and cards) and Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• Priority Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 15

AE ZIP 340

• Ground Advantage: Nov. 6
• Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• First-Class (letters and cards) and Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• Priority Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 15

AP ZIPs 962 - 966

• Ground Advantage: Nov. 6
• Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• First-Class (letters and cards) and Priority Mail: Dec. 9
• Priority Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 15

*Note: Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) and Space Available Mail (SAM) services are no longer available.

Domestic Mail (any U.S. address that is not an APO/FPO)

• Ground Advantage: Dec. 16
• First-Class: Dec. 16
• Priority Mail: Dec. 18
• Priority Express: Dec. 20

Domestic Mail to Alaska

• Ground Advantage: Dec. 16
• First-Class: Dec. 16
• Priority Mail: Dec. 18
• Priority Express: Dec. 20

Domestic Mail to Hawaii

• Ground Advantage: 16
• First-Class: Dec. 16
• Priority Mail: Dec. 16
• Priority Express: Dec. 20

It is recommended you check with local civilian or military post offices for information regarding size restrictions and customs declaration form requirements. Mailing restrictions apply and some items cannot be mailed. If in doubt, contact your local civilian or military post office. 

As a final note, customers should ensure articles are packaged properly for mailing and packages do not display markings related to any type of hazardous material, such as bleach, alcohol, or cleaning fluids. Parcels found by U.S. Postal Service with such markings or labels on the outside of the box will not be processed. 

For more information see the U.S. post office website.

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