The holiday season is underway, and shoppers sending gifts across the country should take note of key shipping deadlines to ensure deliveries arrive on time. The United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS have all issued their recommended last mailing dates for the 2025 holiday season.
USPS shipping deadlines:
For packages to the continental 48 states:
- Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail
- Dec. 18: Priority Mail
- Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
For shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories:
- Dec. 16: USPS Ground Advantage
- Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
- Dec. 18: Priority Mail
- Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
FedEx shipping deadlines:
For U.S. domestic packages to arrive by Dec. 24:
- Ground Economy: Dec. 15
- Ground 5-day: Dec. 17
- Ground 4-day: Dec. 18
- Ground 3-day: Dec. 19
- Ground 2-day: Dec. 20
- Ground 1-day: Dec. 23
- Home Delivery 5-day: Dec. 17
- Home Delivery 4-day: Dec. 18
- Home Delivery 3-day: Dec. 19
- Home Delivery 2-day: Dec. 20
- Home Delivery 1-day: Dec. 23
- Express Saver: Dec. 22
- 2Day & 2Day AM: Dec. 23
- SameDay, First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight: Dec. 24
Air and freight services also have specific deadlines, including 1Day Freight by Dec. 23 and Freight Economy by Dec. 11. FedEx has separate deadlines for shipments to Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
UPS shipping deadlines:
For U.S. domestic shipments:
- UPS Ground: varies by destination
- 3 Day Select: Dec. 19
- 2nd Day Air: Dec. 22
- Next Day Air: Dec. 23
Shoppers are encouraged to plan ahead and use these deadlines to avoid delays during the busy holiday season.