With the holiday shipping rush already underway, the major parcel carriers have released their final ship-by dates for guaranteed delivery by Christmas. USPS, UPS, and FedEx are all urging customers to ship early as volumes rise across the U.S. network.
Here is a simple breakdown of the most important 2025 holiday shipping deadlines.
USPSÂ
To arrive by Thursday, Dec. 25, USPS recommends the following ship-by dates for the lower 48 states:
- Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage
- Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
- Dec. 18: Priority Mail
- Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
For 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
FedExÂ
FedEx says these ship-by dates will ensure delivery by Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Ground and Home Delivery:
- Dec. 15: FedEx Ground Economy
- Dec. 17: 5-Day Ground and Home Delivery
- Dec. 18: 4-Day
- Dec. 19: 3-Day
- Dec. 20: 2-Day
- Dec. 23: 1-Day
Air and Express Services:
- Dec. 22: FedEx Express Saver
- Dec. 23: FedEx 2Day, 2Day AM
- Dec. 24: SameDay, First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight
Freight Services:
- Dec. 21: FedEx 3Day Freight
- Dec. 22: FedEx 2Day Freight
- Dec. 23: FedEx 1Day Freight
- Dec. 11: FedEx Freight Economy
FedEx has separate deadline charts for shipments to Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
UPSÂ
UPS also set deadlines to hit Dec. 24 delivery targets:
UPS Ground: Varies by location
- Dec. 19: UPS 3 Day Select
- Dec. 22: UPS 2nd Day Air
- Dec. 23: UPS Next Day Air
National Free Shipping DayÂ
National Free Shipping Day will fall on Sunday, Dec. 14. Many major retailers traditionally participate, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. Participation varies by retailer and is not guaranteed.
2025 holiday shipping deadlines at a glance
USPS 2025 holiday shipping deadlines
| Destination | Service | Ship by date for Dec. 25 delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Contiguous U.S. (48 states) | USPS Ground Advantage | Wednesday, Dec. 17 |
| Contiguous U.S. (48 states) | First-Class Mail | Wednesday, Dec. 17 |
| Contiguous U.S. (48 states) | Priority Mail | Thursday, Dec. 18 |
| Contiguous U.S. (48 states) | Priority Mail Express | Saturday, Dec. 20 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories | USPS Ground Advantage | Tuesday, Dec. 16 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories | First-Class Mail | Wednesday, Dec. 17 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories | Priority Mail | Thursday, Dec. 18 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories | Priority Mail Express | Saturday, Dec. 20 |
FedEx 2025 holiday shipping deadlines
| Service group | Service | Ship by date for Dec. 24 delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | FedEx Ground Economy | Monday, Dec. 15 |
| Ground | FedEx Ground, Home Delivery (5-day transit) | Wednesday, Dec. 17 |
| Ground | FedEx Ground, Home Delivery (4-day transit) | Thursday, Dec. 18 |
| Ground | FedEx Ground, Home Delivery (3-day transit) | Friday, Dec. 19 |
| Ground | FedEx Ground, Home Delivery (2-day transit) | Saturday, Dec. 20 |
| Ground | FedEx Ground, Home Delivery (1-day transit) | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| Express | FedEx Express Saver | Monday, Dec. 22 |
| Express | FedEx 2Day, 2Day AM | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| Express | FedEx SameDay, First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight | Wednesday, Dec. 24 |
| Freight | FedEx 3Day Freight | Sunday, Dec. 21 |
| Freight | FedEx 2Day Freight | Monday, Dec. 22 |
| Freight | FedEx 1Day Freight | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| Freight | FedEx Freight Economy | Thursday, Dec. 11 |
UPS 2025 holiday shipping deadlines
| Service | Ship by date for Dec. 24 delivery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Varies by destination | Check ups.com/ctc for time-in-transit details |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Friday, Dec. 19 | U.S. domestic shipments |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Monday, Dec. 22 | U.S. domestic shipments |
| UPS Next Day Air | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | Scheduled for Dec. 24 delivery |
