Want to make sure your holiday cards and gifts arrive in time for Christmas? Save these dates, and keep in mind there may be extra surcharges for rush delivery during the holiday season.
Below are upcoming shipping deadlines from the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS:
The United States Postal Service said cards and packages need to be mailed no later than these dates for an expected delivery by Dec. 25:
Dec. 14: USPS Retail Ground Service
Dec. 18: Alaska to mainland First-Class Mail
Dec. 19: Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
U.S. & World
Dec. 19: Alaska to mainland Priority Mail
Dec. 20: First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
Dec. 20: First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 21: Priority Mail
Dec. 21: Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 21: Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office:
Nov. 6: APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 9: APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 11: APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
Dec. 18: APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
For more information on UPS schedules and pricing, click here.
Dec. 13: UPS Ground
Dec. 19: UPS 3 Day Select
Dec. 20: UPS 2nd Day Air
Dec. 23: UPS Next Day Air
These services and dates are based on shipping from one U.S. location to another, excluding Puerto Rico. For more information and details on international shipments, click here.
Dec. 9: FedEx SmartPost
Dec. 16: FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground
Dec. 19: FedEx Express Saver
Dec. 20: FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
Dec 23: FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight and FedEx First Overnight from one U.S. location to another
Dec. 25: FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Direct, FedEx SameDay City Priority
These services and dates apply only to the contiguous U.S. states on qualifying orders. Learn more about Amazon's holiday delivery calendar here.
Dec. 14: Last day for free shipping by Amazon.
Dec. 18: Last day for standard shipping, free for Prime members on qualifying orders.
Dec. 22: Last day for two-day shipping, free for Prime members.
Dec. 23: Last day for one-day shipping, free for Prime members in eligible areas.
Dec. 24: Last day for same-day delivery, $9.98 per item for Prime members on qualifying orders over $35. Find out if free same-day delivery is available in your city at amazon.com/sameday.
