The United States Postal Service Announces 2011 Holiday Mail-by Dates

WASHINGTON — As the “Official Shipper of the Holidays,” the United States Postal Service today released the suggested mail-by dates to ensure packages, cards, and letters reach their intended destination before the 2011 celebrations begin.

Dates are provided as a guide for dropping holiday wishes into the mail. Customers who use the United States Postal Service as their “Official Shipper of the Holidays” can trust the Postal Service will provide reliable, trusted and secure delivery at home or abroad.

Postmarking for domestic mail — mailed from and delivered within the U.S. — and international mail destined for overseas should occur by:

Domestic Mail Product	Mail-by Date
First-Class Mail	Dec. 20
Priority Mail	Dec. 21
Express Mail	Dec. 22
Parcel Post	Dec. 15
DNDC Drop Ship	Dec. 19
DDU Drop Ship	Dec. 22

International Mail Addressed To	Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)1***	Express Mail® International (EMS)2	Priority Mail® International (PMI)3	First-Class Mail®
Africa	Dec-20	Dec-10	Dec-2	Dec-2
Asia/Pacific Rim	Dec-19	Dec-15	Dec-9	Dec-9
Australia/New Zealand	Dec-19	Dec-15	Dec-9	Dec-9
Canada	Dec-21	Dec-16	Dec-12	Dec-9
Caribbean	Dec-20	Dec-15	Dec-12	Dec-9
Central & South America	Dec-20	Dec-10	Dec-2	Dec-2
Mexico	Dec-21	Dec-15	Dec-9	Dec-9
Europe	Dec-20	Dec-15	Dec-12	Dec-9
Middle East	Dec-20	Dec-15	Dec-12	Dec-9

***GXG Notes:
¹ Cutoff date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance.
² Should allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major cities.
³ Last day to ship to Afghanistan is Dec 19 and Iraq is Dec 16.

“We suggest holiday shippers both in and outside the country use one of our Priority Mail products to send gifts and good wishes,” said Gary Reblin, vice president Domestic Products. “The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes come in a variety of sizes and are always free. Remember — ‘if it fits it ships’ for a low flat rate.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.