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2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

by Sifted Team

Dec 3, 2024

2 min read
What’s worse than coal in your stocking?
 
A package that’s late!
 
The major carriers have released cutoff dates to ensure your gifts arrive ahead of December 25.
 
Ship early, stay merry, and make sure every gift gets where it needs to go–on time.

 

FedEx 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

If FedEx is delivering your holiday packages, ship-by these deadlines to ensure delivery by December 24.
 
ServiceDeadline
FedEx Ground® EconomyDec 13
FedEx Ground®Dec 17*
FedEx Home Delivery®Dec 17*
FedEx Express Saver®Dec 19
FedEx 2Day® & FedEx 2Day® AMDec 20**
FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, Extra HoursDec 23
FedEx SameDay®Dec 24
 
*Deadline for a 5-day shipping option. Delivery times vary based on origin and destination. Deadlines vary accordingly, ranging from 12/17 for 5-day to 12/23 for 1-day. To see specific delivery times, click here.
 
**If you do an optional Saturday pickup (a $16 per package surcharge), the last day to ship for FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day AM can be extended to Saturday, Dec. 21st.

 

UPS 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

If UPS is delivering your holiday packages, ship-by these deadlines to ensure delivery by December 24.

ServiceDeadline
UPS® GroundCheck ups.com/ctc for details
UPS 3 Day Select®Dec 19
UPS 2nd Day Air®Dec 20
UPS Next Day Air®Dec 23

 

USPS 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

USPS’ ship-by cutoff dates for a December 25 delivery are as follows:

ServiceDeadline
USPS Ground Advantage®Dec 18
USPS First-Class Mail®Dec 18
USPS Priority Mail®Dec 19
USPS Priority Mail Express®Dec 21

These deadlines are for shipments to the contiguous U.S. For deadlines for shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, and military Post Offices, review USPS’ full holiday deadline announcement.

 

Dashing Through Peak Season

In the age of the “Amazon Effect,” two-day delivery is an expectation. Don’t let unrealistic expectations make shipping a Scrooge for your business.

Communicate with your customers through social media, newsletters, or emails: Express the importance of shopping early this year! On your website’s product pages, provide an estimated delivery date so they know when it will arrive. These are simple but effective ways to ensure you and your customers avoid the holiday blues this shopping season.​

Don’t be caught off guard by peak season surcharges: Like Rudolph on Christmas Eve, our Demand Surcharge breakdown can guide you through peak season.

By delivering on-time to customers and knowing what to expect from Demand Surcharges, you can jingle all the way to a profitable Q4!

Check out related resources at Sifted.

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