With the holiday season approaching, it’s essential to plan ahead to ensure your cards, gifts, and packages arrive on time. Here are the critical shipping deadlines for 2024 from USPS, FedEx, and UPS, covering domestic, international, and military destinations to help you stay on track for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other festive occasions.

USPS 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

For packages sent to the contiguous U.S., the following USPS dates are recommended for delivery before December 25:

USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 18
First-Class Mail: Dec. 18
Priority Mail: Dec. 19
Priority Mail Express: Dec. 21

For Alaska and Hawaii

USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16
First-Class Mail: Dec. 18
Priority Mail: Dec. 19
Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20

If you’re shipping internationally or to military addresses, check USPS’s detailed holiday shipping guide at usps.com for specific deadlines.

FedEx 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

For U.S. domestic shipments, FedEx offers various options to get your packages delivered by December 24:

FedEx SameDay: Dec. 24
FedEx Overnight Services: Dec. 23
FedEx 2Day: Dec. 20
FedEx Express Saver: Dec. 19
FedEx Ground: Time-sensitive, varies by distance
FedEx Ground Economy: Dec. 13

For international shipments, key dates include

Canada (Next Flight): Dec. 23
Mexico (International First): Dec. 20
Puerto Rico (International Priority): Dec. 19

Visit the FedEx website for specific service times based on destination and shipping speed.

UPS 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

UPS offers the following domestic shipping cut-offs for December 24 delivery:

UPS Ground: Check the UPS website for details
UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 19
UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20
UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 23

For international destinations, including Canada and Mexico, deadlines range from Dec. 19 to Dec. 23, depending on the service selected. Visit the UPS website for complete details and to calculate delivery times for other destinations.

Special Holiday Schedules

Each carrier has specific holiday schedules, so it’s crucial to check these dates for accurate delivery timing, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Note that services like UPS Express Critical and FedEx SameDay are available for last-minute needs.

Stay ahead this holiday season by marking these shipping deadlines on your calendar to ensure your packages reach their destination on time.