As the holiday season continues, it’s crucial to mark your calendars with the shipping deadlines provided by major carriers to ensure your gifts and greetings reach your loved ones on time. There’s almost nothing more frustrating than taking the time to get the perfect gift for that very special person, only to find out it was late arriving. Here are the shipping deadlines for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with details from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and UPS:
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Deadlines
For the Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)
- Postal Service Ground Advantage: Saturday, Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail: Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail: Monday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 20
Alaska
- Postal Service Ground Advantage: Saturday, Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail: Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail: Monday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 20
Hawaii
- Postal Service Ground Advantage: Saturday, Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail: Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 20
Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, or Diplomatic Post Office
- First-Class Mail: Saturday, Dec. 9
- Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Service: Friday, Dec. 15
FedEx Shipping Deadlines
To ensure your package arrives on or before Sunday, Dec. 24, here are FedEx’s recommended mail-by dates:
- Home Delivery 5-Day Shipping: Friday, Dec. 15
- Home Delivery 4-Day Shipping: Monday, Dec. 18
- Home Delivery 3-Day Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Home Delivery 2-Day Shipping: Thursday, Dec. 21
- Home Delivery 1-Day Shipping: Friday, Dec. 22
- Express Same Day: Friday, Dec. 22
- Ground 5-Day Shipping: Friday, Dec. 15
- Ground 4-Day Shipping: Monday, Dec. 18
- Ground 3-Day Shipping: Tuesday, Dec. 19
- Ground 2-Day Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Ground 1-Day Shipping: Thursday, Dec. 21
- Ground Economy: Wednesday, Dec. 13
UPS Shipping Deadlines
To receive your Christmas presents or greeting cards by Saturday, Dec. 23, here are UPS’ recommended mail-by dates:
- 3-Day Select: Tuesday, Dec. 19
- 2nd Day Air: Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Next Day Air: Thursday, Dec. 21
For shipments to Canada and Mexico, USPS deadlines are:
- Postal Service Worldwide Expedited: Tuesday, Dec. 19
- Postal Service Worldwide Express Services: Wednesday, Dec. 20
For more detailed information and specific rates, you can refer to the official links provided by the respective carriers: USPS, FedEx, and UPS.
Remember, accurate and timely shipping is essential during this festive season to ensure your packages reach their destinations on time, spreading holiday cheer to your friends and family near and far.
Stay updated on any additional announcements regarding shipping rates for the upcoming year, as USPS has recently announced new rates for ground advantage and priority mail services in 2024.
