USPS: Hereʻs When You Should Send Your Holiday Packages

Holiday stamps 2018. PC: USPS

Here is a list of things the US Postal Service wants Hawaiʻi residents to know to get their holiday packages delivered on time.

These are the dates that the Postal Service suggests Hawaiʻi residents mail their letters, cards and packages to give them the best chances of reaching their destinations by Christmas: 

• Dec. 6 for first-class and priority mail headed to international and overseas military destinations.
• Dec. 19 for first-class and priority mail headed to the mainland.
• Dec. 21 is the last day to send holiday cheer to the mainland via expedited priority express shipping service.

Note that the dates apply to the mail received by each Post Office’s daily cutoff time. 

Here is a list of dates that the Postal Service suggests for other destinations:

• Interisland: Dec. 20 for first-class and priority mail, and Dec. 21 for priority express mail
• Guam and Saipan: Dec. 13 for first-class and priority mail, and Dec. 19 for priority express mail
• American Samoa: Dec. 6 for first-class and priority mail, and Dec. 14 for priority express mail
• Military APOs & FPOs: Dec. 6 for first-class and priority mail, and Dec. 13 for priority express mail
• International: Dec. 6 for first-class and priority mail, and Dec. 13 for priority express mail

Dates apply to mail received by each Post Office’s cutoff time.

Postal customers are asked to keep in mind that the above suggested mailing dates are not deadlines, implying that packages or letters will not arrive at their destinations if mailed after the listed dates. In fact, if normal holiday conditions prevail, chances are good that letters and packages sent shortly after the suggested dates will still make it to their destinations before Christmas. Ultimately, unpredictable factors such as mailing volumes and weather determine whether deliveries can be made early or on time.

Extended Saturday Retail Hours at One Post Office

The Honolulu Main Post Office near the airport will stay open two hours later than usual on Dec. 7, 14 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Self Service Ship & Mail Centers

These postal kiosks allow customers to purchase stamps, print and pay for postage for packages, and conduct other common transactions without the need to stand in line to see a mail clerk–an all-too-frequent necessity during holiday mailing season.

Customers can access the Self Service Ship & Mail Centers 24/7, at times that are convenient to them. USPS Self Service Ship & Mail Centers are located in Hawaiʻi at the 16 locations below:

• ʻĀina Haina Post Office
• Downtown Honolulu Post Office
• Hawaiʻi Kai Post Office
• Hilo Main Post Office
• Honolulu Main/Airport Post Office – 2 kiosks
• Kailua Post Office
• Kailua-Kona Post Office
• Kāneʻohe Post Office
• Kapahulu Safeway supermarket
• Kīhei Post Office
• Lahaina Post Office
• Makiki Post Office
• Mililani Post Office
• Waiʻalae-Kahala Post Office
• Waikīkī Post Office
• Wailuku Post Office

For a list of mailing tips from the Postal Service, click here.