Holiday shoppers have less than two weeks to ship packages for on-time Christmas delivery, with major carriers announcing their final 2025 deadlines.
The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS have released shipping cutoff dates for gifts to arrive by December 25, with most standard services requiring packages to be sent by December 17.
Missing these deadlines could mean disappointed recipients and last-minute scrambling for expensive overnight shipping options. With Hanukkah beginning December 14 and other winter holidays approaching, including Kwanzaa and Christmas, timing has become critical for millions of Americans.
USPS recommends shipping packages via Ground Advantage or First-Class Mail by December 17 for the lower 48 states. Priority Mail customers have until December 18, while Priority Mail Express extends the deadline to December 20.
Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories require earlier shipping; Ground Advantage packages should be sent by December 16.
FedEx offers more varied deadlines depending on service level and transit time. Ground and Home Delivery services with five-day transit times must ship by December 17, while one-day transit packages can wait until December 23.
The company’s Express Saver service deadline falls on December 19, with an optional Saturday pickup available on December 20 for an additional $16 per package.
UPS sets December 19 as the cutoff for 3 Day Select service. Customers using 2nd Day Air have until December 22, while Next Day Air packages can ship as late as December 23.
International shipping requires even more advanced planning. FedEx International Economy to Canada and Mexico must ship by December 19, while Priority services can wait until December 22.
All three carriers will operate on modified schedules during the holiday season. USPS locations may have adjusted hours, while FedEx and UPS suspend most services on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
FedEx plans early pickups and modified freight services around major holidays. The company notes that delivery commitment times for select expedited services will be extended by 90 minutes from November 29 through January 4.
UPS will deliver only air and international packages on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Regular ground service resumes the day after each holiday.
Shipping experts recommend sending packages as early as possible to avoid potential weather delays and overwhelming last-minute volume. Customers should also verify specific transit times for their destinations, as some locations may require earlier shipping dates.
