Holiday Shipping Deadlines: When to Send Gifts Through USPS, FedEx, UPS
If you're planning to send gifts this holiday season, major shipping carriers posted deadlines for getting packages delivered by Christmas.
USPS said it's ready to handle the holiday rush, hiring 14,000 seasonal employees to "better position the Postal Service to handle the extra holiday volume."
"We are well prepared and ready to deliver for the American public," said Postmaster General David Steiner.
Here are the dates to keep in mind.
USPS Deadlines
For packages expected to arrive before December 25 in the continental United States (not Hawaii or Alaska):
USPS Ground Advantage (two to five business days): December 17
First-Class Mail (one to five business days): December 17
Priority Mail (two to three business days): December 18
Priority Mail Express (one- to three-day guarantee): December 20
For Alaska and Hawaii:
USPS Ground Advantage: December 16
First-Class Mail: December 17
Priority Mail: December 18
Priority Mail Express: December 20
For international or military addresses, check the complete list on the USPS website.
FedEx Deadlines
FedEx's recommended dates ensure packages arrive on or before December 24. FedEx Home delivers packages 150 pounds or less to residences every day with a $5.15 residential surcharge. FedEx Ground delivers to businesses Monday to Friday.
FedEx Home Delivery:
5-Day: December 17
4-Day: December 18
3-Day: December 19
2-Day: December 22
1-Day: December 23
FedEx Overnight:
First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight: December 23
Same Day: December 24
FedEx Ground:
Ground Economy: December 15
5-Day: December 17
4-Day: December 18
3-Day: December 19
2-Day: December 22
1-Day: December 23
More details for Mexico, Canada, or Puerto Rico shipping are on FedEx's website.
UPS Deadlines
Recommended last days for domestic shipping with December 24 delivery:
Ground: Check UPS website for specific deadlines
3-Day Select: December 19
2nd Day Air: December 22
Next Day Air: December 23
Check UPS's website for Canada and Mexico deadlines or to calculate international shipping times.
The Reality
If you're using ground shipping—the cheapest option—you need to send packages by mid-December. December 15 for FedEx Ground Economy. December 17 for USPS Ground Advantage and most regular ground options.
Waiting longer costs more. Two-day shipping buys you until December 22. Next-day gets you to December 23. FedEx Same Day works until December 24, but expect to pay premium prices.
Most deadlines target December 24 delivery, not December 25. If you need gifts arriving exactly on Christmas Day, ship earlier or use the fastest options.
What Could Go Wrong
Weather delays happen. Sorting facilities get backed up. Address errors cause problems. Packages get misrouted. USPS hired 14,000 seasonal employees specifically for holiday volume. That helps, but December is peak shipping season and things still go wrong.
If you want gifts arriving on time, ship early. Use tracking numbers. Buy insurance for expensive items. Get delivery confirmation.
Shipping ground on December 23 and expecting Christmas delivery is asking for disappointment. The carriers posted deadlines for a reason.
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