Holiday Shipping Deadlines You Need to Know Now

Ho, ho, hoping your holiday cards and gifts arrive on time?

Of course you are. Punctuality always is preferred when you and your loved ones are sending mail and packages to celebrate the holiday season.

You’d be smart to heed to the holiday shipping deadlines established by the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS to ensure cards and packages arrive on time. Mountains of first-class letters and packages already are on the move.

With shipping companies predicted to deliver at least 82 million parcels a day during this year’s holiday season, deadlines are a must-know. Plus the lingering supply-chain issues could stall the arrival of a gift, such as electronics or toys, on your wish list.

Here's your must-know now guide to getting your presents and cards to their destination on time for Christmas and Kwanzaa. For Hanukkah, which started on December 7th this year and ends on the evening of the 15th, use overnight or two-day shipping stat.

And note of caution for procrastinators: Since Christmas this year falls on a Monday, not only will U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS offices be closed that day, some offices will be closed on Dec. 23 and 24. That's something to keep in mind for Kwanzaa as well, which starts the day after Christmas. Check with your local offices to confirm hours of operation in the days just before those holidays.

U.S. Postal Service

These are the key deadlines for domestic mail deliveries in the contiguous 48 states for deliveries before Dec. 25.

• Dec. 16 for first-class mail and retail ground service
  
• Dec. 20 for priority mail service
• Dec. 20 for priority mail express service

The U.S. Postal Service says its official holiday season began on Black Friday, Nov. 24, and continues through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Typically, the last two weeks before Christmas are the busiest stretch.

Sue Brennan, a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) senior public relations representative, urges consumers to mail early, especially when sending packages to “areas of the country impacted by inclement weather.”

The service does not release projections on holiday mail volume, but USPS says it’s ready to deliver “another successful holiday season of outstanding service.”

Important to know: Mail to and from Hawaii and Alaska, overseas military mail and other international mail often have earlier deadlines. Here’s more if you’re interested.