These Are the 2022 USPS Holiday Deadlines for Mailing Military Care Packages

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time to think about the 2022 holiday mailing and care package season! Every year, the United States Postal System shares mailing deadlines and suggestions for military families so they’re able to plan and send gifts and goodies to their loved ones, no matter where they’re stationed or deployed.

These deadlines are centered around Christmas, so you’ll need to adjust for Hanukkah (which comes a bit earlier than Christmas this year), or use these as guidelines if you’re also sending a care package for the New Year.

Despite what some folks might think, a few years ago, the USPS dispelled mailing rumors and said that there really isn’t one “busiest day” in post office volume anymore. Instead, the two weeks prior to Christmas are considered to be the busiest time in the postal system, when it comes to how much stuff is being moved from one place to another. While the USPS can offer suggestions, they’re just that– suggestions and not guarantees. To be on the safe side, you might want to ship as early as possible to give your care package plenty of time to make it to its destination.

APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip Codes 090-092, 094-099,  APO/FPO/DPO AA Zip Code 340, and APO/FPO/DPO AP Zip Codes 962-966

• Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 16
• First-Class Mail Service: December 9
• Priority Mail Service: Dec. 9
• Retail Ground Service: Nov. 5

• Priority Mail Express Military Service: N/A
• First-Class Mail Service: Dec. 9
• Priority Mail Service : Dec. 9
• Retail Ground: Nov. 5

Domestic Mail (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)

• First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) and First-Class Packages =: Dec. 17
• Priority Mail: Dec. 19
• Priority Mail Express: Dec. 23
• USPS Retail Ground: Dec. 15

Domestic Mail for Alaska and Hawaii

• First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) and First-Class Package Service
  • Alaska: Dec. 18
  • Hawaii: Dec. 17
•  Priority Mail Service
  • Alaska: Dec. 18
  • Hawaii: Dec. 17
• Priority Mail Express for Alaska and Hawaii: Dec. 21
• USPS Retail Ground for Alaska only: Dec. 2

First time sending a holiday care package?

Don’t worry… you’ve got this! Use these articles to dream, plan, and execute:

• 22 Christmas care package ideas
• Here’s what troops really want in a care package
• Here’s how to avoid common care package disasters
• 102 stocking stuffers for deployment