By Tristan Jung

Shipping schedules for sending packages to and from military installations are important to keep track of during the holiday season. 

If you want to send a package that will arrive by December 25, here’s a list with important deadlines and information when sending mail to Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), or Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses. Information comes from the official USPS blog

2020 Holiday Season: Shipment Deadlines

AE ZIPs 090-092, 094-098

  • Priority Express Mail Military Service — Dec. 18
  • First-Class and Priority Mail — Dec. 11
  • Parcel Airlift Mail — Dec. 4
  • Space Available Mail — Nov. 27
  • Retail Ground Mail — Nov. 6

AA ZIP 340 and AP ZIPs 962-966

  • Priority Express Mail Military Service — Dec. 18
  • First-Class and Priority Mail — Dec. 11
  • Parcel Airlift Mail — Dec. 4
  • Space Available Mail —  Nov. 27
  • Retail Ground Mail — Nov. 6

AE ZIP 093

  • Priority Express Mail Military Service —  N/A
  • First-Class and Priority Mail — Dec. 9
  • Parcel Airlift Mail — Dec. 4
  • Space Available Mail — Nov. 27
  • Retail Ground Mail — Nov. 6

Domestic Mail (US addresses that are not an APO/FPO)

  • Retail Ground — Dec. 14
  • First-Class — Dec. 20
  • Priority Mail — Dec. 21
  • Priority Express — Dec. 23

International Mail (Priority Express International/First-Class Mail International)

  • Africa — Dec. 7/Nov. 30 
  • Asia/Pacific — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Australia/New Zealand — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Canada — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Europe — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Caribbean — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Central and South America — Dec. 7/Nov. 30  
  • Mexico — Dec. 14/Dec. 7
  • Middle East — Dec. 14/Dec. 7

Global Express Guaranteed — Dec. 18 or Dec. 19

Retailers that ship to APO/FPO/DPO

Most major online retailers ship to APO/FPO/DPO addresses, including Amazon, Walmart, Ebay, Best Buy, Newegg, Overstock, Target, and Etsy. Check to make sure that smaller online retailers do the same. 

The USPS also has a free Military Care Kit with boxes, tape, and address labels. Make sure to get your mail in before these dates so active-duty personnel can hear from you this holiday season!