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Personal FinanceShipping

These are the holiday shipping deadlines you need to know for your presents to arrive on time

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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December 16, 2024, 11:31 AM ET
The shortened holiday season has caught many people off guard this year.
The shortened holiday season has caught many people off guard this year.
  • Holiday shipping deadlines are almost here. Find out when you have to mail your package for delivery by Dec. 24.

Christmas is less than 10 days away—and if you haven’t sent out packages to people on your list, you might want to accelerate your packing plans.

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The shortened holiday season has caught many people off guard this year. While the calendar has been reminding us all that the holidays are, basically, here, our minds have insisted that there’s more time. Sorry cerebrum, you’re wrong this time.

If you’re planning to send gifts or other packages to friends and family, the deadlines are drawing near. And if you’re sending a package to someone in Hawaii or Alaska via one popular method, today’s your last chance to get it there on time.

Here’s what shipping companies are recommending for a delivery before Dec. 24—and note that none of these are guarantees.

UPS shipping deadlines

Ground: Varies. Head to ups.com/ctc to find the date for your package

3 Day Select: Dec. 19

2nd Day Air: Dec. 20

Next Day Air: Dec. 23

USPS shipping deadlines

Contiguous 48 states:

Ground: Dec. 18

First-Class Mail: Dec. 18

Priority Mail: Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express: Dec. 21

Alaska and Hawaii:

Ground: Dec. 16

First-Class Mail: Dec. 18

Priority Mail: Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20

FedEx shipping deadlines

Home Delivery: Dec. 23 (if you choose the one-day shipping option)

Ground: Dec. 23 (if you choose the one-day shipping option)

Express Saver: Dec. 19

2Day and 2Day AM: Dec. 20

First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, Extra Hours: Dec. 23

SameDay: Dec. 24

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About the Author
By 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.

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