2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

December 15, 2021

Tis the season for the holiday shipping rush! The major shipping carriers expect this to be the busiest week of the holiday mailing and shipping season, and each has provided the following recommended deadlines for getting your holiday gifts and greetings in the mail.

Please note: These recommendations were provided by each company and are subject to change. Please contact shipping companies directly with any questions.

USPS holiday 2021 shipping deadlines

The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by December 25:

Dec. 15 – USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 16 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Dec. 17 – First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 17 – First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 18 – Priority Mail service
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express* service

Alaska to/from Continental U.S.
Dec. 18 – First-Class Mail
Dec. 18 – Priority Mail
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail Express

Hawaii to/from mainland
Dec. 17 – Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail Express

Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces and/or are more than a half-inch thick using stamps as postage cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up.

Instead, take them to a retail associate at your local Post Office. This requirement does not apply to Click-N-Ship customers.

Click here for USPS shipping deadlines for mail sent to international and military addresses. USPS also offers a list on its website with tips about how to avoid common holiday shipping mishaps to ensure your packages arrive on time.

UPS holiday 2021 shipping deadlines

For Dec. 24 delivery

UPS Ground: UPS recommends its self-service options for calculating delivery time
UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 21
UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 22
UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 23

Click here for more information about shipping via UPS to international addresses.

FedEx holiday 2021 shipping deadlines

Recommended last days to ship for delivery by Dec. 25