Because Thanksgiving fell so late this year, the holiday shopping season is six days shorter than in 2018 and the shortest since 2013, so it’s especially important to know holiday shipping deadlines.
On top of that, FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service all are expecting to deliver a record number of packages.
To avoid long lines at the post office, remember that the Postal Service’s busiest time is two weeks before Christmas.
Here are key shipping deadlines to keep in mind:
Holiday shipping deadlines
These are the three major carriers’ recommended send-by dates for expected delivery by Dec. 25:
U.S. Postal Service
Dec. 14: Retail ground shipments.
Dec. 18: Alaska-to-mainland first-class mail.
Dec. 19: Hawaii-to-mainland Priority Mail and first-class mail.
Dec. 20: first-class mail.
Dec. 21: Priority Mail and also Alaska and Hawaii to the mainland through Priority Mail Express.
Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express.
International shipping and military mail deadlines are earlier. Details at www.usps.com.
FedEx
Dec. 9 (Monday): SmartPost.
Dec. 16: Ground and home delivery.
Dec. 19: Express Saver.
Dec. 20: Two-day options.
Dec. 23: Overnight options.
Dec. 25: FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Direct and City Priority.
Details on rates and transit times at www.fedex.com.
United Parcel Service
Dec. 13: Last day to ship some UPS Ground packages.
Dec. 19: UPS 3 Day Select.
Dec. 20: 2nd Day Air.
Dec. 23: Next Day Air.
Details at www.ups.com.
Amazon shopping deadlines
These are Amazon’s two key deadlines for Amazon Prime members to place orders to ensure delivery by Dec. 25 with no minimum purchase:
Dec. 22: Last day for free delivery on tens of millions of items.
Dec. 23: Last day for free one-day delivery on more than 10 million items.
