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USPS, FedEx and UPS holiday schedule: The ship-by deadlines for your packages

Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Updated ·3-min read

With the calendar delivering a shortened holiday season this year, proper planning is key – especially if you are shipping gifts to family and friends across the U.S.

To help you know when you need to have gifts wrapped and on the way, the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS have posted holiday deadlines for shipping packages.

In anticipation of the rush, most shipping services added employees ahead of the holiday season. For instance, the Postal Service hired 7,500 seasonal employees to help with the holiday rush.

"So, ship early and enjoy your holiday season," said Steve Monteith, the Postal Service's chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president, in a statement.

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So, if you have gifts and packages to send this holiday season, here are some dates you need to know.

U.S. Postal Service employees at the Los Angeles Mail Processing & Distribution Center on December 3, 2024. The 1.7 million square foot facility, the largest in the United States, is processing about one million packages per day.
U.S. Postal Service employees at the Los Angeles Mail Processing & Distribution Center on December 3, 2024. The 1.7 million square foot facility, the largest in the United States, is processing about one million packages per day.

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US Postal Service shipping deadlines for holiday deliveries

Here are the Postal Service's recommended mailing and shipping send-by dates for holiday mail and packages for expected delivery before Dec. 25 for addresses in the contiguous United States (lower 48 states):

  • USPS Ground Advantage service (2-5 business days): Dec. 18

  • First-Class Mail service (1–5 business days): Dec. 18

  • Priority Mail service (1-3 business days): Dec. 19

  • Priority Mail Express service (1-2 day delivery): Dec. 21

The 2024 recommended USPS holiday mailing and shipping dates for items sent to addresses in Alaska and Hawaii:

  • USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 16

  • First-Class Mail service: Dec. 18

  • Priority Mail service: Dec. 19

  • Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 20

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For customers sending packages internationally or to military addresses, the Postal Service suggests checking the complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates at usps.com/holidayshippingdates.

The U.S. Postal Service announced its shipping cutoff dates to ensure holiday packages arrive by Christmas.
The U.S. Postal Service announced its shipping cutoff dates to ensure holiday packages arrive by Christmas.

FedEx holiday schedule 2024

Here are FedEx’s recommended mail-by dates for getting your packages to their destination on or before Sunday, Dec. 24. FedEx Home delivers packages 150 pounds or less to residences every day of the week (with a $5.15 residential surcharge per package). FedEx Ground delivers packages 150 pounds or less to businesses or commercial addresses Monday to Friday.

  • FedEx Home Delivery 5-Day Shipping: Tuesday, Dec. 17

  • FedEx Home Delivery 4-Day Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 18

  • FedEx Home Delivery 2-to-3-Day Shipping: Friday, Dec. 20

  • FedEx Home Delivery 1-Day Shipping: Monday, Dec. 23

  • FedEx Overnight: Monday, Dec. 23

  • FedEx Same Day: Tuesday, Dec. 24

  • FedEx Ground Economy: Friday, Dec. 13

  • FedEx Ground 5-Day Shipping: Tuesday, Dec. 17

  • FedEx Ground 4-Day Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 18

  • FedEx Ground 3-Day Shipping: Thursday, Dec. 19

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You can get more details on shipping dates for freight or packages sent to Mexico, Canada, or Puerto Rico here. Shipping rates can also be calculated here.

A FedEx driver loads packages into a delivery truck during Black Friday preparations in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2024.
A FedEx driver loads packages into a delivery truck during Black Friday preparations in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2024.

UPS holiday schedule 2024

These are the recommended last days for shipping gifts domestically with UPS for Dec. 24 delivery:

  • Ground: Check the UPS website for deadline and details.

  • 3-Day Select: Dec. 19

  • 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20

  • Next Day Air: Dec. 23

UPS said in September 2024 that it intended to hire more than 125,000 employees to handle deliveries for the holidays.
UPS said in September 2024 that it intended to hire more than 125,000 employees to handle deliveries for the holidays.

Shutterfly holiday delivery deadlines

If you like to send personalized holiday cards, calendars or photo books from Shutterfly for the holidays, the deadline is quickly approaching for cards and gifts be made and delivered from the customized photo service. You can find the dates and other information on the site.

  • Economy/Standard: Dec. 16

  • Expedited: Dec. 17

  • Rush: Dec. 19

  • Super Rush: Dec. 20

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If you act fast, there's free economy shipping available through Saturday and $9.99 expedited shipping on cards until Dec. 16. Creation and delivery times for personalized items can vary, so check your cart at checkout for the most current estimates.

Shutterfly makes personalized holiday cards as well as photo books and other gifts.
Shutterfly makes personalized holiday cards as well as photo books and other gifts.

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Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USPS, UPS, FedEx: Holiday schedule 2024, all the shipping deadlines

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