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When’s the deadline to ship presents in time for Christmas?

Here’s a guide to shipping deadlines for USPS, UPS and FedEx

Shipping deadlines: This is when you need to send your packages for arrival by Christmas

Christmas is less than two weeks away, and plenty of people are doing last-minute shopping to make sure they get their loved ones exactly what they want.

However, shipping times can be a hassle, so it’s important to make sure you send packages out before it’s too late.

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U.S. Postal Service

According to USPS, you’ll need to ship out your packages by the following deadlines if you want your package to arrive before Christmas.

Find the service you want to use, then look at the shipping option to determine which deadline applies to you.

(The latest deadline for each service is bolded and underlined)

ServiceShipping OptionDeadline
USPS Ground Advantage5-Day ShippingDec. 16
4-Day ShippingDec. 18
3-Day ShippingDec. 19
2-Day ShippingDec. 20
Priority Mail3-Day ShippingDec. 20
2-Day ShippingDec. 21
Priority Mail Express2-Day ShippingDec. 20
1-Day ShippingDec. 21
First-Class Mail5-Day ShippingDec. 16
4-Day ShippingDec. 18
3-Day ShippingDec. 19
2-Day ShippingDec. 20
USPS Connect LocalCarrier PickupDec. 22
Post Office Drop-Off
By 7 A.M.
Dec. 23

If shipping to Alaska or Hawaii, the deadlines will be as follows:

  • USPS Ground Advantage Service
    • Alaska: Dec. 16
    • Hawaii: Dec. 16
  • Priority Mail Service
    • Alaska: Dec. 20
    • Hawaii: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express Service
    • Alaska: Dec. 20
    • Hawaii: Dec. 20

UPS

According to UPS, you’ll need to ship out your packages by the following deadlines if you want your package to arrive by Dec. 23, as deliveries won’t be made on Dec. 24 or Christmas Day.

ServiceDeadline
UPS Ground ShippingCalculate on UPS’ website: ups.com/ctc
UPS 3 Day SelectDec. 19
UPS 2nd Day Air ServicesDec. 20
(Dec. 21 with Saturday delivery options)
UPS Next Day Air ServicesDec. 21
(Dec. 22 with Saturday delivery options)

FedEx

According to FedEx, you’ll need to ship out your packages by the following deadlines if you want to make sure your package arrives by Dec. 24.

Find the service you want to use, then look at the shipping option to determine which deadline applies to you.

(The latest deadline for each service is bolded and underlined)

ServiceShipping OptionDeadline
FedEx ExpressFedEx SameDayDec. 22
FO, PO, SO, Extra HoursDec. 21 (Dec. 22 with Saturday delivery options)
2-Day and 2-Day AMDec. 20
FedEx Express SaverDec. 19
FedEx Express 1-Day FreightDec. 21
FedEx Express 2-Day FreightDec. 20
FedEx Express 3-Day FreightDec. 19
FedEx GroundFedEx GroundDec. 15
FedEx Home DeliveryDec. 15
FedEx Ground EconomyDec. 13
FedEx FreightFedEx Freight PriorityDec. 15
FedEx Freight EconomyDec. 12

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