Carla Ayers
As you plan your holiday shopping, knowing when the cutoff times for shipping are can help you avoid last-minute oopsies, where your gifts don't get out in time. UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are reminding us that it's best to ship sooner than later. Read on for the shipping deadlines for each carrier.
Will holiday shipping take longer than normal this year?
With tens of millions of packages being shipped each day during the holiday season, you need to prepare for delays or ship early enough to play it safe. While Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, some shippers have cutoff times well before this.
When should I mail holiday packages?
Here are the dates you need to circle on your calendar to get your package there on time via UPS, FedEx or USPS:
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UPS shipping deadlines
UPS said to follow these deadlines to get your packages to their destinations by December 24. The following is the carrier's domestic delivery schedule:
- UPS Ground Shipping — Check the website to get quotes, Saturday delivery options and other details
- UPS 3 Day Select — December 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air — December 20 (or December 21 with Saturday Delivery options)
- UPS Next Day Air — December 23
FedEx shipping deadlines
FedEx said the last day to ship your packages to arrive on or before Tuesday, December 24 are as follows:
- FedEx SameDay — December 24
- FedEx Overnight — December 23
- FedEx 2Day & 2Day AM — December 20
- FedEx Ground 5-Day Shipping — December 17
- FedEx Ground 4-Day Shipping — December 18
- FedEx Ground 3-Day Shipping — December 19
- FedEx Ground 2-Day Shipping — December 20
- FedEx Ground 1-Day Shipping — December 23
FedEx is closed on Christmas day but does provide FedEx Custom Critical services.
USPS shipping deadlines
The US Postal Service said that it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season, a major plus for consumers. It also has USPS Ground Advantage, to ship packages with day-certain delivery of two to five business days, based on distance.
Post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, but will be open on December 26 and January 2.
To get your packages to their destination by December 25, the Postal Service recommends the following deadlines for shipping within the Lower 48 states. For more destinations and information on international and other shipping services, visit the Postal Services Holiday Center.
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