Deadlines for 2022 holiday shipping with USPS, FedEx, UPS
The longer you wait to send off those cards or packages, the more it’s going to cost you. Monday, Dec. 19, is the final day to ship priority mail before Christmas.
Priority mail shipping allows customers to ship anything up to 70 pounds. Shipping costs start at $9, and delivery takes 2 to 3 days.
If you miss Monday's deadline, you can opt for Priority Mail Express by Friday, Dec. 23,
With all packages, make sure you use a sturdy box and check you're using the correct address.
Be sure to check this list of shipping deadlines from the United States Postal Service, UPS and FedEx so all your packages arrive on time.
USPS 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
These are the recommended ship-by dates by the United States Postal Service for expected delivery before December 25.
Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S.
USPS Retail Ground® Service: Dec. 17
First-Class Mail® Service: Dec. 17
Priority Mail® Service: Dec. 19
Priority Mail Express® Service: Dec. 23
Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii
Sending Packages to Alaska
First-Class Mail® Service: Dec. 17
Priority Mail® Service: Dec. 17
Priority Mail Express® Service: Dec. 21
USPS Retail Ground Service: Dec. 2
Sending Packages to Hawaii
First-Class Mail® Service: Dec. 17
Priority Mail® Service: Dec. 17
Priority Mail Express® Service: Dec. 21
USPS Retail Ground Service: N/A
Holiday Shipping Dates for International Mail
See USPS.com for recommended holiday shipping dates for Africa, Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Mexico, Europe and Middle East.
Holiday Shipping Dates for Military Mail
If you are shipping packages to those in the military, there are different deadlines depending on the APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP™.
For First Class Mail Service and Priority Mail Service, most packages have to be shipped by Dec. 9.
For Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS), most packages have to be shipped by Dec. 16.
See USPS.com for the details regarding military mail shipping options by ZIP.
See all the information regarding holiday shipping through USPS on their website.
UPS 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
These dates are the recommended last days to ship for Dec. 24 delivery through UPS.
Holiday Shipping Dates for U.S. Domestic Shipping
UPS® Ground: Check ups.com for details
UPS 3 Day Select®: Dec. 20
UPS 2nd Day Air®: Dec. 21
UPS Next Day Air®: Dec. 22
See the UPS website for shipping schedules for Canada and Mexico.
UPS is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no pickup or delivery service on these days. UPS Express Critical® is available.
See the details on the UPS website.
FedEx 2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Holiday Shipping Dates for U.S. to U.S. Shipping
These dates are the recommended last days to ship for delivery by Dec. 25 through FedEx.
FedEx Express®:
FedEx Same Day®: 12/23
FO, PO, SO, Extra Hours: 12/22
2Day & 2Day AM: 12/21
FedEx Express Saver®: 12/20
FedEx 1Day® Freight: 12/22
FedEx 2Day® FreightL 12/21
FedEx 3Day® Freight: 12/20
FedEx Ground®:
FedEx Ground® Contiguous US: 12/14
FedEx Ground® Alaska and Hawaii: 12/14
FedEx Home Delivery® Contiguous US: 12/14
FedEx Home Delivery® Alaska and Hawaii: 12/14
FedEx Ground® Economy: 12/8
FedEx Freight®:
FedEx Freight® Priority: 12/14
FedEx Freight® Economy: 12/8
FedEx Freight® Direct: 12/14
For more information, including international shipping deadlines, see the FedEx website.
FedEx is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no pickup or delivery service on these days. FedEx Custom Critical® is available.
There are multiple locations to drop off a FedEx package including FedEx Office, FedEx Ship Center®, FedEx Authorized ShipCenter®, FedEx® Drop Box,* Walgreens, Walmart, Office Depot and Office Max, Dollar General, and more throughout the country. See all the locations in your area on the FedEx website.
