Holiday shipping deadlines: USPS, FedEx, UPS dates for on-time delivery
Keep porch pirates from stealing your packages
"Porch pirates" stole 119 million packages across the country in 2023, according to the latest Capital One shopping research. While doorbell cameras may seem like a good way to catch these thieves in the act, they may be be lulling homeowners into a false sense of security — 38% of victims believe their doorbell cameras did not deter thieves, the research found. Arrive AI CEO, Dan O’Toole, joined LiveNOW from FOX with tips on how to avoid "porch pirates."
With the holiday shopping season in full gear, the country's biggest mail carriers are reminding customers when they need to have their packages shipped in order to make it to their destinations in time.
USPS holiday shipping deadlines
The U.S. Postal Service recommends these send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
2024 Holiday Mailing and Shipping Dates for Items Sent to Addresses in the Contiguous United States (Lower 48 States):
- USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 18
- First-Class Mail service: Dec. 18
- Priority Mail service: Dec. 19
- Priority Mail Express service: Dec. 21
2024 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
For customers sending packages internationally, or to military addresses, USPS suggests checking the complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates at usps.com/holidayshippingdates.
Also, find tips for preparing shipments, including packaging guidelines, ordering free shipping supplies and information on local Post Office location hours on usps.com.
Postal workers wearing Santa hats drive through the facility during a media tour hosted by the US Postal Service at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Image
FedEx holiday shipping deadlines
These are the FedEx last shipping dates for select services to ensure your package is scheduled to arrive by December 24, 2024. For more resources, visit FedEx Holiday Page.
U.S. Domestic Parcel, Air Freight, and LTL Freight Services 2024 Shipping Deadlines for Holiday Packages
Parcel Services
- FedEx SameDay: December 24
- FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, Extra Hours: December 23
- FedEx 2Day & FedEx 2Day AM: December 20
- FedEx Express Saver: December 19
- FedEx Ground: 5 day shipping, 4 day shipping, 3 day shipping, 2 day shipping, 1 day shipping
- FedEx Home Delivery: 5 day shipping, 4 day shipping, 2-3 day shipping, 1 day shipping
- FedEx Ground Economy: December 13
Air Freight Services
- FedEx 1Day Freight: December 23
- FedEx 2Day Freight: December 20
- FedEx 3Day Freight: December 19
LTL Freight Services
- FedEx Freight Priority (inclusive of FedEx Freight Direct): 5 day shipping, 4 day shipping, 3 day shipping, 2 day shipping, 1 day shipping
- FedEx Freight Economy (inclusive of FedEx Freight Direct): December 11
International
U.S. to Canada
- FedEx International Next Flight: Mon. Dec. 23
- FedEx International First: Fri. Dec. 20
- FedEx International Priority: Thu. Dec. 19
- FedEx International Priority Distribution: Thu. Dec. 19
- FedEx International Economy: Wed. Dec. 18
- FedEx International Connect Plus: Tue. Dec. 17
U.S. to Canada Ground
- 7 day shipping: Fri. Dec. 13
- 6 day shipping: Sat. Dec. 14
- 5 day shipping: Sun. Dec. 15
- 4 day shipping: Mon. Dec. 16
- 3 day shipping: Tue. Dec. 17
- 2 day shipping: Wed. Dec. 18
- 1 day shipping: Thu. Dec. 19
- 1 day shipping: Fri. Dec. 20
FedEx Ground U.S. to Canada Delivery times vary based on origin and destination. For specific times, scan the QR code or visit: Calculate Shipping Rates | FedEx
U.S. to other International destinations Go to FedEx Rate Finder for details.
U.S. to Mexico
- FedEx International Next Flight: Mon. Dec. 23
- FedEx International First: Fri. Dec. 20
- FedEx International Priority: Fri. Dec. 20
- FedEx International Economy: Thu. Dec. 19
- FedEx International Connect Plus: Thu. Dec. 19
U.S. to Puerto Rico
- FedEx International Next Flight: Mon. Dec. 23
- FedEx International First: Fri. Dec. 20
- FedEx International Priority: Thu. Dec. 19
- FedEx International Economy: Wed. Dec. 18
UPS holiday shipping deadlines
These are the recommended UPS 2024 Holiday Season last days to ship for Dec. 24 delivery.
U.S. Domestic Shipping Services
- UPS Ground: Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20
- UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 23
U.S. to Canada Shipping Services
- UPS Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS Worldwide Expedited: Dec. 20
- UPS Worldwide Express: Dec. 23
U.S. to Mexico Shipping Services
- UPS Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS Worldwide Expedited: Dec. 19
- UPS Worldwide Express: Dec. 20
U.S. to Other Destinations
For last days to ship from the U.S. to other international destinations, please visit Calculate Time and Cost at ups.com/ctc.
Christmas
Friday, Dec. 20: Normal pickup and delivery service. Last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air packages for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24. UPS 3 Day Select packages picked up Dec. 20 will be scheduled for delivery on Friday, Dec. 27.
Saturday, Dec. 21: Normal Saturday pickup and delivery service.
Monday, Dec. 23: Normal pickup and delivery service. Last day to ship UPS Next Day Air packages for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 24 with a UPS On-Call Pickup service, a UPS Smart Pickup service, or other prearranged, scheduled pickup, or by tendering a shipment at a The UPS Store location or a UPS Authorized Service Location.
Tuesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve: Normal delivery service. Pickup service available only for Air and International Air packages if prearranged by Thursday, Dec. 19. UPS On-Call Pickup service is available for Air and International Air packages. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up today will be scheduled for delivery on Thursday, Dec. 26.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day (UPS Holiday): No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical service (now provided by MNX) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit mnx.com.
Thursday, Dec. 26: Normal pickup and delivery service.
Friday, Dec. 27: Normal pickup and delivery service.
Saturday, Dec. 28: Normal Saturday pickup and delivery service. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked up today will be scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
New Year’s
Monday, Dec. 30: Normal pickup and delivery service.
Tuesday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve: Delivery of UPS Air and International Air packages only. Pickup service available only for Air and International Air packages if prearranged by Thursday, Dec. 26. UPS On-Call Pickup service is available for Air and International Air packages. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up Dec. 31 will be scheduled for delivery on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day (UPS Holiday): No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical service (now provided by MNX) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit mnx.com.
Thursday, Jan. 2: Normal UPS pickup and delivery service resumes.