Haines post office reminds customers to mail early this holiday season.
First-class and priority mail to locations in the Lower 48 should be postmarked by Dec. 18, and express mail should go out no later than Dec. 21.
Expect parcel post packages to takes three to five weeks to make it to the Lower 48, depending on location and weather.
Within Alaska, parcel post packages should be sent by Dec. 11 and first-class and priority mail by Dec. 18. Allow three to four days for express mail to other parts of Alaska, to allow for weather delays.
The following mailing deadlines were provided for first-class mail being sent overseas from locations within the Lower 48. Alaskans are advised to mail at least a few days in advance of the dates to ensure delivery before Dec. 25.
The deadlines are Dec. 3 for Africa and Central and South America and Dec. 10 for Asia, Pacific Rim nations, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East.