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:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
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.
Related Content
-
Dow Adds 516 Points on Broad Optimism: Stock Market TodayEasing trade war tensions and promise from early earnings reports has investors looking on the bright side to start the week.
-
Dave Ramsey Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can MakeThe talk-show host, author and podcaster tells Kiplinger what people can do to ensure a happy retirement.
-
Dave Ramsey Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can Make
The talk-show host, author and podcaster tells Kiplinger what people can do to ensure a happy retirement.
-
No Passport? No Problem. Seven US Getaways That Feel Like an International VacationFrom Puerto Rico’s Caribbean flair to Santa Fe’s old world charm, these American destinations deliver a global travel experience — without the hassle of customs or currency exchange.
-
Planning a Major Home Renovation? 3 Smart Ways to Finance ItFrom HELOCs to personal loans, here’s how to pay for a major home renovation without draining your savings.
-
Six Warren Buffett Quotes Every Retiree Should Live ByThe 'Oracle of Omaha' knows a thing or two about life, investing and retirement.
-
The Surprising Trick to Stop Money Stress Before It StartsA dedicated 15-minute weekly slot to confront financialstress could help you make smarter money moves.
-
You Retired and Stopped Commuting. How Do You Lower Car Insurance Costs?Retiring usually means cutting out that daily commute which could make you less risky to insure. Does that mean your car insurance costs will drop? Here's what you need to know.
-
My First $1 Million: Real Estate Investor, 54, Rural MidwestEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Budget Hacks Won't Cut It: These Five Strategies From a Financial Planner Can Help Build Significant WealthCutting out your daily latte might make you feel virtuous, but tracking pennies won't pay off. Here are some strategies that can actually build wealth.
