It’s time! Holiday shipping madness is finally upon us. Luckily for you, we’ve spent some time compiling the various shipping deadlines outlined by our carriers into one simple list so you can get your gifts under your loved one’s trees by December 25th.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
UPS and Fedex Ground Services suspend their delivery guarantees after December 7th, and Air Service guarantees are extended by 90 minutes.
Domestic Shipping in time for Christmas
December 14th
Last day for Fedex Home/Ground delivery to Alaska and Hawaii
December 15th
Last day for USPS standard post
December 16th
Last day for Fedex Ground and Home delivery in the continental US
December 18th
Last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select
December 19th
Last day to ship USPS First Class
December 21
Last day to ship USPS Priority Mail
Last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air delivered by December 24th
Last Day to ship Fedex Express Saver
December 22nd
Last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air
Last day to ship Fedex 2 Day AM and Fedex 2 Day
December 23rd
Last Day to ship USPS Priority Mail Express
Last day to ship UPS Next Day Air
Military Shipping in time for Christmas
November 7th – Standard post Service
December 3rd – Priority Mail Service/First Class Mail Service for APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 093
December 10th – Priority Mail Service/First Class Mail Service for Zips 090-092, 094-098, 340, 962-966
December 17th – Priority Mail Express Military Service (excluding Zip 093)
International Shipping in time for Christmas
*All of these dates are estimates, as customs times and shipping to more remote areas are always variable. It is always recommended with international shipping to contact the carrier to verify shipping dates.
December 1st
Recommended last day for USPS First Class and USPS Priority Mail to Africa and Central/South America
December 8th
Recommended last day for USPS First Class to Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East
Recommended last day for USPS First Class and USPS Priority Mail to Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia/New Zealand and Mexico
December 11th
Recommended last day for USPS Priority Mail to Canada, the Caribbean, and the Middle East
***DHL Global Mail recommends handing over holiday shipments to a carrier by December 18th, but cautions that the specific destination country and customs process may result in delayed delivery.
Extra Shipping Tips
- Make sure to wrap you packages well – H tape the bottoms of your packages for extra security, and choose strong, study boxes. Feel free to call with any questions you may have regarding best practices.
- Consider insurance – UPS and FedEx shipments automatically come with declared-value coverage of up to $100. The U.S. Postal Service provides similar coverage for Priority Mail Express shipments. Declared value is the carrier’s maximum liability. If the package is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’ll need to file a claim and can do so as early as 24 hours after expected delivery. (Timing differs by carrier.)
- Use a waterproof marker to write the full address of both the sender and recipient on the outside of the package. Include a duplicate label or business card inside, so the carton can be returned if it gets damaged and becomes undeliverable.
Good luck, and get shipping!