Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2026: USPS, UPS and FedEx Ship-By Dates

“If you’re shipping holiday cards and gifts for Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 - Jan. 1), or other holiday traditions, find the USPS® recommended domestic, international, and military deadlines in these tables. Please note that Hanukkah (Dec. 4 - Dec. 12) is earlier this year so please adjust accordingly.”

“Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office™ acceptance time, and other conditions.”

“The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires that mailers prepay duties, taxes, and fees, and obtain proof of payment on all articles valued up to $2,500 entering the customs territory of the United States (CTUS) from the following insular possessions and territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Please review the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail (DMM) for details.”

“USPS Ground Advantage packages between the contiguous United States and the following locations will have a 10-day or more service expectation: Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Freely Associated States.”

“Ground Advantage packages that are shipped to or from offshore ZIP codes™ (AK, HI, PR, and U.S. Territories) may experience longer transit times and extended Estimated Delivery Dates (EDD). Please review the EDD for these ZIP codes™ and adjust the induction date as needed.”

“As of August 1, 2023, USPS will no longer process refund requests for guaranteed service on these items. Refund requests for loss will still be processed.”

“PMEMS is available to selected military/diplomatic Post Offices™. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO addresses”

“2026 Holiday Season Recommended Last Days to Ship for Dec. 24 Delivery”

“Shipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date. Check ups.com/ctc”

“Monday Dec. 21 Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select ® packages for delivery on Thursday, Dec. 24.”

“Tuesday Dec. 22 Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air® packages for delivery on Thursday, Dec. 24. UPS 3 Day Select® packages picked up Dec. 22 will be scheduled for delivery on Monday, Dec. 28.”

“Wednesday Dec. 23 Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship UPS Next Day Air® packages for delivery on Thursday, 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.”

“Friday Dec. 25 Christmas Day (UPS Holiday) No UPS® pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical® service (provided by Marken) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.”

“From Nov. 16, 2026 – Jan. 8, 2027, a limited number of UPS® Ground and UPS® Standard packages will require additional time in transit.”

“A limited number of UPS 2nd Day Air® and UPS 3 Day Select® packages tendered on the following dates may require an additional day in transit: • UPS 2nd Day Air® tendered on: Dec. 14, Dec. 15, Dec. 16 or Dec. 21 • UPS 3 Day Select® tendered on: Dec. 14 or Dec. 15”

“For last days to ship from the U.S. to other international destinations, please visit Calculate Time and Cost at ups.com/ctc.”

“The information contained in this schedule and all Service Guarantees are subject to change.”

“The information below provides the last shipping dates for select services to help ensure your package is scheduled to arrive by December 24, 2026. For more helpful resources, explore our holiday page at fedex.com/holiday.”

“The last day to ship via FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery is based on a regular scheduled pickup or drop off of shipments at a staffed FedEx location. Transit times are typically 1 to 5 business days within the contiguous U.S. (3 to 7 business days to and from Alaska and Hawaii), based on the destination ZIP code.”

“Exact transit times are based on the origin and destination ZIP codes.”

“FedEx International First, FedEx International Priority, FedEx International Economy, and FedEx International Ground dates do not take into account time requirements for customs clearance. Please allow extra transit days for delivery outside of major cities.”

“U.S. to other International destinations-go to fedex.com/ratefinder/home for details.”

“Note: The information shown here reflects our current operating schedules planned for these holiday periods. These dates are subject to change. Any updates will be posted on this page, so please check back as the date of the holiday approaches.”