Holiday Package Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2012

If you want Santa Claus to arrive on time with holiday packages to military, international or U.S. destinations, the U.S. Postal Service has announced the dates those packages must be in the mail. So has FedEx and UPS.

Here's what you need to know to get your packages to their destinations on time.

Post Office Locations

Here are the deadlines for shipping products from the Hazelwood Post Office. There is also a drop box at the USPS Bulk Mail Center located on Phantom Drive.

Postal Service Shipping Deadlines

Military Shipping Deadlines*

Parcel Post service to all APO/FPO/DPO addresses was Nov. 13. Priority and First Class Mail was Dec. 3 to APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093, and Dec. 10 to all other military addresses. 

*The deadline for Dec. 25 delivery to Africa and Central and South America was Dec. 3. For more details on military and international mailing, visit the USPS website.

FedEx Deadlines

The deadline for FedEx Ground delivery by Christmas is Dec. 17. FedEx overnight services sent by Dec. 22 will get you there on time. And FedEx Same Day service will be operating on Christmas Day. Here are the nearest FedEx Centers in the area:

• FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, 2330 N US Highway 67
• FedEx Express Airport Facility, 6143 James S McDonnell Blvd
• Goin' Postal, 3831 Vaile Ave

UPS Deadlines

The UPS schedule notes that packages can be sent by air, international and ground by Dec. 20. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up on that day will arrive Friday, Dec. 21. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked up that day will arrive on Dec. 24. Here's the nearest UPS locations:

• The UPS Store, 224 N US Highway 67
• The UPS Store, 11220 W Florissant Ave.