The post office has announced the 2016 holiday mailing and shipping deadlines for domestic and international destinations as customers begin to prepare for the busy shopping and shipping season. Customers are encouraged to ship early.“To ensure timely delivery of cards, letters and packages during the holidays within the United States by December 25th, the Postal Service recommends that customers ship early this year,” said Union Postmaster Tanya Sickafoose.The Postal Service recommends that customers ship their items by the following dates:Mail-by dates for domestic services are as follows:• Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground: Ground service for less-than-urgent deliveries and oversized packages.• Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail: Service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 ounces with delivery in 3 business days or less.• Dec. 21 — Priority Mail: Domestic service in one, two or three business days based on where the package is mailed and where it’s being sent, variety of flat-rate options.• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express: Fastest domestic service, guaranteed overnight scheduled delivery to most locations. Some restrictions and exceptions apply. Please note, Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed between Dec. 22-25.Complete details on mailing and shipping services can be found on usps.com.Customers mailing internationally during the holidays are advised to review a special chart online or at the post office for specific deadlines based on the locations they are mailing to and the service they are using.When mailing and shipping internationally, customers must also follow necessary customs guidelines. Visit the International Shipping page on usps.com for more information.MilitaryThe postal service is committed to ensuring those serving in the nation’s armed forces and diplomatic service receive their presents, care packages and cards in time for the holidays.Complete military mailing deadlines to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide, as well as tips and guidelines, can be found at: http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2016/pr16_080.htm.Shipping SuppliesAs an added convenience, the postal service offers a wide variety of shipping supplies in multiple sizes at local post offices and online at usps.com. Some supplies, such as Priority Mail products, also can be delivered to the sender free of charge by going to usps.com/freeboxes.Customers may ship using their own materials. As a reminder, all packages weighing more than 13 ounces and bearing only stamps as postage cannot be deposited in collection boxes or given to letter carriers.These packages must be presented to a Postal Service employee at a retail window counter.USPS