Holiday shipping deadlines for U.S. Postal Service announced

Deadlines are fastapproaching for shipping packages and mail to military and diplomatic addresses overseas by Christmas.

The U. S. Postal Service is recommending Nov. 7 as the deadline for standard post rates on packages and Dec. 3 for parcel airlift mail service carried on a space-available basis. Dec. 10 is the recommended cut-off for firstclass letters and cards to most addresses.

The USPS also offers a $2 discount to military addresses abroad on its largest priority mail flat rate box, at $13.80 online and $15.90 at the post office.

For the cheapest domestic shipping rates, the Postal Service is recommending Dec. 15 as the deadline to mail packages for Christmas.

Dec. 19 is the deadline for cards — standard-sized envelopes — and for small packages weighing up to 13 ounces, to be delivered in the U.S. within three business days or less via regular mail.

A Monday release from the USPS also spells out other options for timely delivery:

A Dec. 21 shipment by priority mail will likely get a package to a U.S. address within one, two or three business days, depending on where it starts and where it’s being sent.

The fastest, and most expensive, domestic service is priority mail express. That provides guaranteed overnight delivery to most locations.

Deadlines for firstclass package ship- ments to international addresses range from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8, although several priority options could get them there by Christmas if that window is missed.

Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25.