FedEx, UPS, USPS release deadlines for holiday shipping

The busiest time of the season for USPS begins two weeks before Christmas

As the holiday season is just around the corner and supply chain challenges persist, FedEx, United Parcel Service and U.S. Postal Service customers are being encouraged to place their shipping orders sooner rather than later. 

"The busiest time of the season for the Postal Service begins two weeks before Christmas," USPS said in a statement. "It’s expected that customer traffic at all Post Office locations will steadily increase beginning the week of Dec. 6, with the week of Dec. 13-18 anticipated to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week of the season."

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Below are the important dates for customers to ensure their cards and gifts make it in time for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

SOME USPS DELIVERIES WILL SOON TAKE LONGER, COST MORE

FedEx Express

  • FedEx 1 Day Freight — Tues., Dec. 21
  • FedEx 2 Day Freight — Weds., Dec. 22
  • FedEx 3 Day Freight — Tues., Dec. 21
  • Express Saver — Tues., Dec. 21
  • 2Day & 2Day AM — Weds., Dec. 22
  • Overnight Services — Thurs., Dec. 23
  • FedEx Same Day — Fri., Dec. 24

FedEx Ground

  • FedEx Ground Economy — Thurs., Dec. 9
  • FedEx Ground and Home Delivery — Weds., Dec. 15

FedEx Freight

  • FedEx Freight Economy — Thurs., Dec. 9
  • FedEx Freight Priority — Weds., Dec. 15
  • FedEx Freight Direct — Weds., Dec. 15

UPS

  • UPS Ground shipping and Standard Services — Check the website for a quote
  • UPS 3-Day Select and Worldwide Expedited — Tues., Dec. 21
  • UPS second-day air services and UPS Worldwide Express Services (U.S. to Mexico) — Weds., Dec. 22
  • UPS next-day air services and UPS Worldwide Express Services (U.S. to Canada) — Thurs., Dec. 23
  • No pickup service, UPS holiday — Fri., Dec. 25

UPS' service guarantee remains suspended for most services due to COVID-19

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USPS (Excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

  • USPS Retail Ground Service —  Weds., Dec. 15
  • First-class Mail Service — Fri., Dec. 17 (including greeting cards)
  • First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces) — Fri., Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail Service — Sat., Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express — Thurs., Dec. 23

USPS (Alaska)

  • First-Class Mail and Priority Mail — Sat, Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express — Tues, Dec. 21

USPS (Hawaii)

  • Priority Mail and First-Class Mail — Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail Express — Dec. 21

APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) addresses

  • USPS Retail Ground service — Nov. 6
  • Priority Mail and First-Class Mail — Dec. 9
  • Priority Mail Express — Thurs., Dec. 16

This story, originally published on Oct. 11, has been updated to include UPS holiday shipping deadlines.