U.S. Post Office sets deadlines for holiday mail delivery

WASHINGTON — The holidays bring many things — gifts, family gatherings, decorating and festivities. For 2022, they also bring a few updates from the Postal Service for shipping deadlines and temporary pricing changes, as well as new package regulations.

2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses*:

 
Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Dec. 17 — USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

Alaska
Dec. 2 — Alaska to and from Continental U.S. — USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 17 — Alaska to and from Continental U.S. — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
Dec. 21 — Alaska to and from Continental U.S. — Priority Mail Express

Hawaii
Dec. 17 — Hawaii to and from mainland — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail

This is also a prime season that crooks target mail. It is the priority of the post office to keep mail safe and your holidays happy. Criminals, however, are always looking for ways to spoil this joyful time.

Here are some things you can do to delight the bad guys and have yourself an unhappy holiday:

1. Send Cash. Cash is untraceable and easy to steal, creating a nice payday for thieves.

2. Cause a Fire. Batteries, especially lithium batteries, can cause a fire or explosion in the mail.

3. Turn a Blind Eye. If you see something suspicious, say something. Call the police to report someone following your carrier or stealing mail.

4. Let Your Mail Pile Up. A visible pile of mail sitting in your mailbox or on your front porch is an invitation to thieves. If you aren’t going to be home, go to usps.com to sign up for the USPS Hold Mail® service or customize your delivery.

5. Ignore Your Doors. If you aren’t watching and monitoring your doors, you can be sure the thieves are. If you have a home security camera system, make sure it’s aimed at your front door and mailbox.

6. Get Scammed. Fraud is always a problem, but during the holidays fraudsters take advantage of your giving spirit. Check out any charity before you give.

7. Click the Link. Scammers send bogus delivery emails or texts trying to get your information. Don’t fall for it.

8. Allow Crime to Happen. If you are a victim of a mail crime, report it. Call 877-876-2455 or go to www.uspis.gov/report.

9. Get Arrested. Sending fireworks through the mail is illegal and could lead to arrest and federal penalties. <