2021 Holiday Shipping Guide
Updated: Nov 13, 2021
The holiday season is a time of joy, family and memories. It's also a time when many people have to tackle the task of shipping gifts to loved ones all across the country. With so much going on this time of year, it can be hard to keep track of everything that needs to get done before December 25th arrives. This article will provide you with some helpful hints for getting your packages delivered in time for Christmas morning!
Each of the major shipping companies has a deadline by which shipments must arrive on or before Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25) to be considered acceptable. We'll keep track of each carrier's cut-off date as they become available so you can get everything you need in one place.
FedEx holiday cutoff dates
FedEx Home Delivery®: December 15
FedEx International Ground®: December 17
FedEx Express Saver®: December 21
FedEx 2Day®: December 22
FedEx Standard Overnight®: December 23
FedEx Priority Overnight®: December 23
Canada Post holiday cutoff dates
Local Zone:
Priority: December 21st
Xpresspost: December 21st
Expedited Parcel: December 21st
Regional Zone:
Priority : December 21st
Xpresspost: December 21st
Expedited Parcel: December 17th - 21st
National Zone:
Priority: December 21st
Xpresspost: December 20th
Expedited Parcel: December 13th - 20th
USPS Holiday Deadlines
First Class Package: Ship by December 17th
Priority Mail: Ship by December 18th
Priority Mail Express: Ship by December 23rd
Media Mail & Parcel Select Ground: Ship by December 15th
First Class Package International and Priority Mail International: Ship by November 29th for Africa, Central America, and South America—and by December 6th for the rest of the world
Priority Mail Express International: Ship by December 6th for Africa, Central America, and South America—and by December 13th for the rest of the world
Shipping to/from Hawaii, Alaska, or a Military address? Check out all the deadlines here.
UPS Holiday Deadlines (for arrival on or before December 24)
Domestic Shipments
3 Day Select: December 21st
2nd Day Air (including 2nd Day Air AM): December 22nd
Next Day Air (including Next Day Air Early & Next Day Air Saver): December 23rd
Ground: UPS hasn’t provided a specific cutoff date for Ground shipments.
As a tip, Make sure to order early! It is important to consider not just your gifts, but also the shipping itself. Most carriers start charging a premium rate as soon as December begins and you should take this into consideration when doing last minute shopping. If you absolutely have to wait until the week before Christmas or later, then you will have to be prepared to pay extremely high fees and this still may not guarantee arrival by Christmas morning.