USPS holiday shipping deadlines 2026
| USPS service | Contiguous US (lower 48) | Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico & territories |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | Thu, Dec 17 | Wed, Dec 16 |
| First-Class Mail (cards, letters) | Thu, Dec 17 | Thu, Dec 17 |
| Priority Mail | Fri, Dec 18 | Fri, Dec 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | Sat, Dec 19 | Sat, Dec 19 |
USPS publishes separate dates for military (APO/FPO/DPO) and international mail on its holiday shipping page from mid-October. International deadlines are often in late November or early December, so check usps.com early if you’re sending abroad. USPS temporary holiday prices apply from October 4, 2026 to January 17, 2027.
FedEx holiday shipping deadlines 2026
| FedEx service | Ship by (for delivery by Dec 24) |
|---|---|
| FedEx Ground Economy | Tue, Dec 15 |
| FedEx Ground / Home Delivery (5-day transit) | Thu, Dec 17 |
| FedEx Ground / Home Delivery (4-day transit) | Fri, Dec 18 |
| FedEx Ground / Home Delivery (3-day transit) | Mon, Dec 21 |
| FedEx Ground / Home Delivery (2-day transit) | Tue, Dec 22 |
| FedEx Ground / Home Delivery (1-day transit) | Wed, Dec 23 |
| FedEx Express Saver | Mon, Dec 21 |
| FedEx 2Day / 2Day A.M. | Tue, Dec 22 |
| FedEx Standard / Priority / First Overnight | Wed, Dec 23 |
| FedEx SameDay | Thu, Dec 24 |
UPS holiday shipping deadlines 2026
| UPS service | Ship by (for delivery by Thu, Dec 24) |
|---|---|
| UPS 3 Day Select | Mon, Dec 21 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Tue, Dec 22 |
| UPS Next Day Air | Wed, Dec 23 |
| UPS Ground | Depends on distance (1–5 business days). Use the UPS time-in-transit tool. |
December 2026 shipping calendar
| Date | What to send |
|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 14 | Last comfortable week for cross-country ground parcels |
| Tue, Dec 15 | FedEx Ground Economy |
| Wed, Dec 16 | USPS Ground Advantage to Alaska and Hawaii |
| Thu, Dec 17 | USPS Ground Advantage & First-Class (cards), FedEx 5-day Ground |
| Fri, Dec 18 | USPS Priority Mail, FedEx 4-day Ground |
| Sat, Dec 19 | USPS Priority Mail Express (check your post office hours) |
| Mon, Dec 21 | UPS 3 Day Select, FedEx Express Saver |
| Tue, Dec 22 | UPS 2nd Day Air, FedEx 2Day |
| Wed, Dec 23 | UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Overnight |
| Thu, Dec 24 | FedEx SameDay, or send an e-gift card |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day: no USPS, UPS or FedEx regular delivery |
Tips to beat the holiday deadline
- Ship a week early. Recommended dates are best-case. Weather and holiday volume cause delays every year.
- Print labels online and use free USPS Package Pickup or drop off at a kiosk to skip the post office line.
- Use the right box. USPS Priority Mail flat-rate boxes can be cheaper for heavy gifts going far.
- Too late? Send a digital gift card, order for in-store pickup near the recipient, or ship directly from a store near them.
- Track everything and take a photo of your receipt until the package arrives.
Questions
What is the last day to ship USPS for Christmas 2026?
USPS recommends Thursday, December 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Friday, December 18 for Priority Mail and Saturday, December 19 for Priority Mail Express, for addresses in the contiguous US.
When should I mail Christmas cards in 2026?
By Thursday, December 17 with First-Class Mail within the lower 48 states. Mailing cards in the first week of December is safest.
Does USPS deliver on Christmas Eve?
Yes, December 24, 2026 (Thursday) is a normal delivery day, although post offices may close early. There is no regular delivery on Christmas Day.
What is the last day to ship FedEx overnight for Christmas?
FedEx Standard, Priority and First Overnight should be shipped by Wednesday, December 23 for delivery on December 24.