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What Are the Christmas Shipping Deadlines for 2024?

christmas shipping deadlines

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The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about how to get all those Christmas gifts ordered and wrapped. Don’t fret, though—major shipping carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon have released their Christmas shipping deadlines to help you plan your shopping and shipping strategy like a pro.

Whether you’re sending out heartfelt presents to loved ones near and far or stocking up on treats for your festive gatherings, knowing when to ship is crucial to avoid last-minute panic. The earlier you send your packages, the better—trust us! But sometimes when you’re planning the dinner, preparing to host guests, and everything else that comes with the holidays, it’s easy to forget a thing or two. So, let’s dive into these all-important deadlines so you can be sure your last-minute Christmas gifts make it to their destinations on time. Because, hey, if Santa can be prompt, so can you!

USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2024

What to Know: USPS is best for shipping letters and packages with a domestic address. They’re usually a bit more affordable than UPS or FedEx, though those options might be better for heavier parcels or international shipping.

Shipping TypeShipping DescriptionLast Day to Ship for Christmas
Ground Shipping 2-5 business daysDecember 18
First-Class Mail (including greeting cards and packages up to 15.99 ounces)1-5 business daysDecember 18
Priority Mail1-3 business daysDecember 19
Priority Mail ExpressNext-day to 2-day guaranteeDecember 21

For more details, visit the USPS website here.

UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2024

What to Know: If you’re a business, or shipping heavy packages or internationally, UPS might be the right option for you. There are also are a few more specific quick-ship options than USPS.

Shipping TypeShipping DescriptionLast Day to Ship for Christmas
UPS Ground1-5 business daysDecember 15
UPS 3-Day Select3 daysDecember 19
UPS 2nd Day Air 2 daysDecember 20
UPS Next Day AirNext dayDecember 23

These are specific to domestic shipping, so for international details and more info, see UPS’s full chart here.

FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2024

What to Know: Similar to UPS, FedEx can handle business shipping as well as international and heavy shipping. It’s best known for its fast delivery, so if you’re in a pinch then FedEx can likely make it happen.

Shipping TypeShipping DescriptionLast Day to Ship for Christmas
FedEx Ground Economy2-7 business daysDecember 13
FedEx Ground1-5 business daysDecember 17
FedEx Express Saver and 3-Day Freight 3 business days (by afternoon to businesses or evening to homes)December 19
FedEx 2-Day A.M. and 2-Day Freight2 business days (as early as 10:30 to businesses or noon to homes)December 20
FedEx 1-Day Freight and Various OvernightNext business day by morning, noon, or eveningDecember 23
FedEx SameDayDelivered the same day in select areasDecember 24

These relate to domestic shipping, so for international info or more FedEx specifics, click here.

Amazon Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2024

For Prime members, most items will need to be ordered by Dec. 22 for delivery by Christmas Eve. However, some items may have different cutoff dates, so it’s wise to check each product’s specific shipping information.

Now that you have these shipping deadlines bookmarked, it’s time to start shopping! We have a few resources to help with that, too, including our comprehensive guide to the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. We’ve also curated gift ideas for everything you need, including stocking stuffers, white elephant presents, and more.


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