2022 holiday shipping deadlines near for FedEx, UPS, USPS and more

By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer
Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

    Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

    UPS delivery person
    Holiday delivery deadlines for 2022.
    Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

    While things are nowhere near as chaotic as they were in 2020, it never hurts to get your packages in the mail as early as possible. But sometimes life doesn’t really make that possible.

    Whether you’re ordering gifts from a major retailer or shipping a big box to friends or loved ones, you’re fast coming up on Christmas Day. In some cases, you can afford a little bit of a wait, if you’re willing to pay more to get your packages there on time. But the more you stall, the better the chances that something could go wrong.

    There are, of course, no real guarantees when it comes to shipping. Amazon’s next-day delivery often takes a bit longer at this time of year. And one unexpected Arctic blast can disrupt things across the country. While these dates are a good guideline for Dec. 25, earlier is always better.

    Shipping deadlines for 2022

    FedEx

    Dec. 14 – Ground, freight priority

    Dec. 20 – Express saver, 3-Day Freight

    Dec. 21FedEx 2 Day, 2-Day Freight

    Dec. 22 – FedEx Standard, Priority, and First Overnight

    Dec. 23 – FedEx SameDay

    UPS

    Dec. 20 – UPS 3-Day Select

    Dec. 21 – UPS 2nd Day Air

    Dec. 22 – UPS Next Day Air

    Ground shipping – Dates vary by location. Head to UPS’s shipping estimator to calculate how long it will take for your package to arrive.

    U.S. Postal Service

    Dec. 17 – USPS Retail ground service

    Dec. 17 – First class mail

    Dec. 19 – Priority Mail

    Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (Dec. 21 for Alaska and Hawaii)

    Major retailer shipping deadlines for 2022

    Amazon

    Dec. 23 – Last day to order items eligible for one-day delivery

    Dec. 24 – Last day to order items eligible for same-day delivery and for free two-hour grocery delivery.

    Apple

    Apple’s order deadlines vary widely depending on the product ordered, ranging from the long-passed Nov. 15 for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to Dec. 21 for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, Apple Watches, non-engraved iPads, MacBooks, and AirPods.

    Barnes & Noble

    Dec. 17 – 12:00 p.m. ET

    Bath & Body Works

    Dec. 16 – Standard

    Dec. 21 – Expedited

    Best Buy

    Dec. 20 – Standard shipping

    Dec. 24 – Expedited (by noon local time—same-day delivery only)

    Dell

    Dec. 14 – Standard

    Dec. 21 – Expedited (by 2:00 p.m. CT)

    Gap

    Dec. 15 – Standard

    Dec. 22 – Expedited (by 1:00 p.m. ET)

    Dec. 21 – Express

    Home Depot

    Dec. 16 – Standard and expedited

    Kohl’s

    Dec. 19 – Standard

    Dec. 20 – Expedited (by 1:00 p.m. CT)

    L.L. Bean

    Dec. 18 – Standard and Expedited

    Lowes

    Dec. 14 – Standard shipping

    Macy’s

    Dec. 21 – Standard

    Dec. 22 – Expedited (by noon ET)

    Old Navy

    Dec. 15 – Standard

    Dec. 22 – Expedited

    Sam’s Club

    Dec. 18 – Standard

    Dec. 23 – Expedited

    Sephora

    Dec. 20 – Standard

    Dec. 21 – Expedited (by 6:00 a.m.)

    Target

    Dec. 22 – Standard

    Dec. 24 – Same day delivery (slots limited)

    Walmart

    Dec. 20 – Standard

    Dec. 22 – Expedited (only for Walmart+ members)

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