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December 19, 2024 – As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans will soon be preparing to send gifts and cards to loved ones across the country. With shipping carriers experiencing their busiest time of the year, meeting key deadlines is essential to ensure packages arrive in time for Christmas morning.
Major shipping providers—including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon—have already released their cutoff dates for delivery by December 25, 2024. From affordable ground services to expedited last-minute options, these deadlines offer crucial guidance for shoppers hoping to avoid delays during the seasonal rush.
Whether you’re sending gifts early or pushing it to the wire, knowing the final shipping dates can save stress and disappointment. Here are the most up-to-date holiday shipping deadlines for 2024 to help you plan and deliver joy this festive season.
USPS Deadlines
- Ground Advantage: December 18
- First-Class Mail: December 18
- Priority Mail: December 19
- Priority Mail Express: December 21
- For Packages to Alaska and Hawaii:
- Ground Advantage – December 16th
- First Class Mail – December 18th
- Priority Mail Service – December 19th
- Priority Mail Express – December 20th
- International or Military Mail – December 16th (Except Canada – International mail service to Canada is temporarily suspended, due to the strike of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.)
FedEx Deadlines
- Ground/Home Delivery: December 17
- Express Saver: December 19
- 2Day Services: December 20
- Overnight Services: December 23
- SameDay Delivery: December 24
More information on FedEx holiday shipping deadlines can be found here.
UPS Deadlines
- Ground: Use UPS Calculator (varies)
- 3-Day Select: December 19
- 2nd Day Air: December 20
- Next Day Air: December 23
More information on UPS holiday shipping deadlines and international shipping can be found here.
Amazon Deadlines
For Prime members, the cutoff for most items is December 22 for delivery by Christmas Eve. However, always check product-specific shipping details at checkout as some items may have earlier deadlines.
