Christmas Shipping Deadlines: Cutoffs for USPS, UPS, FedEx & More
For those last-minute Christmas shoppers, like me, here’s a list of deadlines you’ll want to take note of for the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), and Federal Express (FedEx). Ship before these deadlines to ensure your Holiday gifts arrive on time.
Of course, these deadlines also pertain to shopping online with stores that use these three shippers to deliver your gifts and purchases.
What is Amazon’s Holiday Shipping Deadline?
For example, people often wonder: what is Amazon’s Holiday Shipping Deadline? Amazon directly handles 67% of its deliveries. The company is already the nation’s fourth-largest package delivery service. It still shares the load with FedEx, UPS, and USPS. Plan to order Christmas gifts on Amazon on or before Dec. 22, 2024, to take advantage of Prime two-day shipping and have your gifts arrive by Christmas. A limited selection of items may even be available for next-day delivery when ordered on Dec. 23, depending on your location.
What is Walmart’s Holiday Shipping Deadline?
If you’re wondering what Walmart’s Holiday Shipping deadline is, they primarily use UPS and FedEx to deliver orders to your home. You can score a free trial of Walmart Plus 2-day shipping to take advantage of these deadlines and make the most of your time. Save on shipping fees as a Walmart+ member. Whether there’s one item or twenty in your cart, get free shipping with no order minimum—as early as the next day. Therefore, the deadline for Walmart plus is also on or before Dec. 22.
In both cases, each product will specifically say during checkout when you should expect to receive it, and these delivery times vary based on the product location and your location.
United States Postal Service Holiday deadlines:
The Post Office is one of the biggest package shippers in the country, believe it or not. But, if you want to ensure your Christmas gifts arrive on time, heed these postal shipping deadlines.
The USPS is closed on Christmas, and no deliveries will take place.
2024 USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Deadlines
- USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 18
- First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 18
- Priority Mail — Dec. 19
- Priority Mail Express — Dec. 21
Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
- USPS Ground Advantage — Nov. 4
- First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
- Priority Mail — Dec. 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 16
Federal Express shipping deadlines
FedEx has similar Holiday shipping deadlines you will want to note.
FedEx Express® Last day to ship to be received on or before Dec. 24. On Christmas, FedEx offices and deliveries are closed. However, FedEx Custom Critical is open.
With optional Saturday delivery (includes a per package surcharge), your last day to ship can be extended by an additional day to 12/23 for FedEx First Overnight and FedEx Priority Overnight and to 12/20 for FedEx 2Day.
United Parcel Service Christmas shipping deadlines
For Christmas delivery, UPS recommends the following last days to ship.
UPS does not deliver on Christmas day except for UPS Express Critical ® service is available.
Please note: United Parcel Service asks customers to visit its Calculate Time and Cost website for details. Delivery takes place within one to five business days and comes with free tracking information. Packages can be up to 150 pounds and up to 108 inches long.
- UPS ® Ground shipping — Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS 3 Day Select ®
- UPS 2nd Day Air ® services
- UPS Next Day Air ® services