Key Points:
- On Christmas, USPS stores countrywide will be closed with no delivery
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the busiest shopping days for consumers
- Having a transparent shipping policy sets expectations for your dedicated customers and builds trust, leading to higher holiday conversion rates
Knowing the United States Postal Service (USPS) 2024 holiday schedule will help eCommerce merchants plan their shipping accordingly during the busy holiday seasons. The USPS is closed for all the major federal holidays, and with delivery times varying between their services, it’s important to understand the appropriate cut-off dates for shipping.
Once you’re done planning, you can turn to Easyship to optimize your shipping process and save time.
With easy access to USPS rates, and our handy shipping rates calculator, you can quickly determine how much you’ll be spending on shipping to your customers during the upcoming holidays.
Resource: Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US
Table of Contents
What is the USPS Holiday Schedule for 2024?
Since the USPS will be closed on all federal holidays, it's crucial to be aware of their schedule to understand the last dates customers can place an order for timely delivery.
During the busy postal holidays in 2024, customers often need reminders of upcoming shipping cutoffs, so planning accordingly is important. A transparent shipping policy sets expectations for your dedicated customers and builds trust, leading to higher holiday conversion rates.
Let’s take a look at the 2024 USPS holidays:
Valentine's Day: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Valentine's Day is not a federal US holiday, which means USPS will be operating normally. To ensure your mail or parcel shipment arrives by Valentine's Day 2024, make sure you give yourself 3–4 days. This way, you can make sure your shipment makes it to your loved one by Valentine's Day.
To receive an instant USPS quote and estimated delivery lead time, use Easyship's Shipping Rate Calculator.
President's Day: Monday, February 19, 2024
President's Day 2024 is a federal US holiday, which means USPS and local post offices will be closed on February 29, 2024.
Alternatively, if you need a shipment to arrive by President's Day 2024, schedule your delivery to arrive by Friday, February 16th to ensure it doesn't arrive after President's Day.
Good Friday: Friday, March 29, 2024
While Good Friday is a widely observed Christian holiday, it is not a federal US holiday. So USPS and local post offices will be open and operating normally on March 29, 2024.
Memorial Day: Monday, May 27, 2024
Memorial Day is a federal US holiday, which means USPS and local post offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024.
Instead, schedule your package delivery to arrive by the weekend before Memorial Day to ensure it doesn't arrive after Memorial Day.
Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States observed on June 19th, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
USPS post offices will be closed in observance of this historic holiday, there will also be no mail delivery or P.O. box services. If you have any package deliveries around Juneteenth, consider scheduling them to arrive before the weekend to avoid any delays.
Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4, 2024
Independence Day, otherwise known as the 4th of July, is a federal US holiday. Similar to other federal holidays, this means USPS and local post offices are closed on this date.
Alternatively, using Easyship's Shipping Rates Calculator, you can receive an accurate estimate of delivery lead times to ensure it arrives before July 4th. This way, you can avoid package holdups on this closure date.
Labor Day: Monday, September 2nd, 2024
Labor is celebrated on the first Monday of September each year to honor the United States labor movement. Since it’s a federal holiday, USPS locations will be closed with no delivery service.
Since this holiday is often celebrated as a long weekend, you’ll want to assure shipments arrive by the Friday before. To learn the USPS holiday hours, check with your local branch.
Columbus Day: Monday, October 13th, 2024
Columbus Day is a national holiday honoring Christopher Columbus's explorer and the landing in the Americas. USPS locations will be closed with no delivery service on this federal holiday. It’s recommended that shipments arrive by Friday, October 11th.
- USPS Priority Mail Express: Next day, ship by Saturday, October 12th
- Priority Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Thursday, October 10th
- First-class Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Thursday, October 10th
- USPS media mail: 2 to 8 days, ship by Saturday, October 5th
- USPS retail ground: 2 to 8 days, ship by Saturday, October 5th
Veterans Day: Saturday, November 11th, 2024
Veterans Day is a federal holiday occurring annually on November 11th to honor citizens that served in the military. USPS locations will be closed with no delivery service on this federal holiday. It’s recommended that shipments arrive by Friday, November 10th.
- USPS Priority Mail Express: Next day, ship by Saturday, November 9th
- Priority Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Wednesday, November 6th
- First-class Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Wednesday, November 6th
- USPS media mail: 2 to 8 days, ship by Friday, November 1st
- USPS retail ground: 2 to 8 days, ship by Friday, November 1st
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28th, 2024
One of the busiest travel weekends of the year, Thanksgiving is celebrated every fourth Thursday of November. USPS stores countrywide will be closed with no delivery.
It’s recommended that shipments arrive by Tuesday, November 26th. It’s important to check with your local branch to learn the USPS holiday hours. The estimated USPS holiday shipping deadline for Thanksgiving is as follows:
- USPS Priority Mail Express: Next day, ship by Monday, November 25th
- Priority Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Thursday, November 21st
- First-class Mail: 1-3 days, ship by Thursday, November 21st
- USPS media mail: 2 to 8 days, ship by Wednesday, November 13th
- USPS retail ground: 2 to 8 days, ship by Wednesday, November 13th
Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024
Friday, November 29th, and Monday, December 2nd, 2024
Two of the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday arrives right after Thanksgiving with Cyber Monday the next Monday. eCommerce merchants experience high volumes of orders during this weekend rush due to the numerous sales and deals offered across the industry.
In most situations, sales are extended the whole week with heightened shipping volumes all through; unlike other holidays, this is considered one of the busiest times for shipping couriers.
To help fulfill shipping volumes, USPS maintains its normal operations for both ground and air services. Since customers may make purchases on Black Friday or during cyber Monday, you shouldn’t be worried about deliveries as the courier will ship in the course of the week. Be sure to check the USPS holiday hours at your local branch during this busy season.
Related: 2024 UPS Holiday Schedule
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25th, 2024
On Christmas, USPS stores countrywide will be closed with no delivery. However, due to huge volumes of shipping in the lead-up to Christmas, some USPS offices will remain the two previous Sundays to handle the volume of shipments. It’s best to check with your local branch for the USPS holiday hours.
This should provide ample time for eCommerce stores to make their domestic shipments in time for Christmas. The estimated USPS holiday shipping deadline for Christmas is as follows:
- USPS Ground Advantage™: Ship by Saturday, December 14th
- First-Class Mail®: Ship by Saturday, December 14th
- Priority Mail®: Ship by Monday, December 16th
- Priority Mail Express®: Ship by Friday, December 20th
2024 Holiday shipping dates for international mail
Shipping abroad for Christmas? These are the recommended send by dates for an expected delivery before December 25th 2024.
| Destination | First-Class Package International Service® | Priority Mail International® Service | Priority Mail Express International® Service | Global Express Guaranteed® Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | November 29 | November 29 | December 6 | December 15 |
| Asia / Pacific Rim | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Australia / New Zealand | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Canada | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Caribbean | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Central & South America | November 29 | November 29 | December 6 | December 15 |
| Europe | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Mexico | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
| Middle East | December 6 | December 6 | December 13 | December 15 |
Deliver Holiday Orders on Time with the USPS Holidays Schedule
USPS is a reliable, affordable courier for shipping during the holiday season. Knowing the USPS holidays 2024 schedule and recommended USPS holiday shipping deadlines, eCommerce merchants should have no problem planning ahead, and assuring their shipments arrive to customers on time.
Easyship integration lets eCommerce merchants ensure timely USPS shipments all year round, so you’re ready for all the post office holidays!
This post was updated on 26th January 2024 to reflect new information.
