Here are the shipping deadlines to get your holiday gifts there on time

The same thing happens year after year. Things get busy with work, school, and life in general until you’re suddenly up against the clock as you race your gifts to your local post office, FedEx store, or UPS location. We’ve all been there — in fact, I somehow find myself in this predicament every year — but we’d like to be of some help as you plan out your next move and begin sending out your holiday packages.

With UPS, you have until Thursday, December 22nd, to ship via Next Day Air and have your package arrive on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Wednesday, December 21st, is the last day to ship via 2nd Day Air if you want your package to arrive on Christmas Eve. You can opt for UPS’ 3 Day Select option until Tuesday, December 20th, to have it arrive on the 23rd. Before then, you can select the normal pickup and delivery service to get your packages where they need to be on time. See more details regarding UPS shipping deadlines here.

FedEx’s Same Day shipping can get your package where it needs to on Friday, December 23rd. That’s the last day that FedEx can guarantee that your package will arrive by Christmas. If you ship it by Wednesday, December 21st, you can opt for the 2 Day shipping method. If you manage to get it to FedEx on Tuesday, December 20th, you can go the Express Saver route and (hopefully) pay a reasonable fee for shipping. See more details regarding Fedex shipping deadlines here.

Friday, December 23rd, is the final day to send packages (and have them arrive by Christmas Eve) through USPS via its Priority Mail Express service. The deadline for Priority Mail shipments is Monday, December 19th, to arrive by Christmas Eve. First-Class Mail packages and those you intend to send via Retail Ground, meanwhile, must be sent by Saturday, December 17th. See more details regarding USPS shipping deadlines here.

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Amazon 2022 deadlines

If you subscribe to Amazon Prime and live in an eligible ZIP code in the US, you can get Same-Day Delivery on certain items through December 24th. You’ll need to meet the “minimum threshold” of eligible items in your cart. As for what that means, this helpful post breaks it down as “over $25 in certain cities” or with a “$2.99 fee per order.”
Prime members can get One-Day Delivery for eligible products through December 23rd with no minimum purchase amount or Two-Day Delivery through December 22nd.
If you’re a Prime member in select US cities, you can take advantage of two-hour grocery delivery through December 24th.

Shipping times and prices may vary depending on the product type, size, and whether it’s shipping directly from Amazon or a third-party seller. So, make sure to check the expected arrival date at the checkout, then choose accordingly.

Illustration by Kristen Radtke

Best Buy 2022 deadlines

If you’re a subscriber to Best Buy’s Totaltech program, you can get free same-day or next-day shipping (depending on your ZIP code), and there’s no order minimum.
Customers who don’t subscribe to Totaltech need to clear the $35 order threshold (before taxes but after coupons), and certain items are available for next-day and standard shipping.
December 21st is the cutoff date in most areas for home delivery of large items, but there are exceptions. The earliest delivery date available will be shown when you check out.
Free next-day delivery is available on select items through December 23rd.
In select areas, December 24th is the cutoff for same-day delivery. If you place your order by 2PM local time, you should receive it by 9PM local time the same day.
Lastly, since Best Buy stores are closed on Christmas Day, and December 24th is the cutoff date for in-store pickup. If you place an order by 5PM local time on December 24th, it should be ready for in-store pickup by 7PM local time the same day.

Best Buy’s shipment arrival dates may vary depending on the kind of item that you’re getting. Major appliances also may take longer to be delivered at this point.

Walmart 2022 deadlines

Walmart hasn’t provided specific dates for its 2022 holiday plans. The Verge has reached out to Walmart for up-to-date info, and we’ll update this post once we receive it.

In the past, however, the retailer has offered in-store pickup through December 24th, pending availability, so long as you place your order by December 23rd. The retailer also offers free next-day and two-day shipping to Walmart Plus subscribers with no order minimum, though, the arrival date of your package may vary depending on whether Walmart is shipping your item or a third-party seller is.

Target 2022 deadlines

Many, but not all, orders over $35 are eligible for free two-day shipping, even without a RedCard. It’s determined by the item’s location and your ZIP code.
Target also offers same-day shipments from its retail stores with a service called Shipt. A subscription to Shipt includes unlimited deliveries on orders above $35 for $99 per year. Alternatively, you can pay for same-day shipping with Shipt on a per-order basis through Target’s site. Shipping fees may vary depending on your location and the contents of the order. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that might help you.
In-stock items at your local Target can be ordered for pickup and ready in two hours. It helps to choose your desired location as “My store” in the upper-left corner of Target’s page, so each product listing automatically indicates if the item can be ready for pickup there.
Target stores will be open on Christmas Eve, though it’s best to get pickup orders and same-day shipping orders in by December 23rd to be on the safe side.

Similar to Walmart and Amazon, be aware if an item at Target is shipped or sold by a third party, which can result in longer lead times. Product listings usually spell out your options for pickup, same-day delivery, and standard shipping — complete with estimated availability times — before you add them to your cart.

Update 4:50PM ET, December 9th, 2022: Added accurate shipping dates and related info to this post for the 2022 holiday season.

It’s time again to prepare for the peak season holiday shipping rush! While the holiday season starts earlier every year, the deadlines will always be the same. With labor shortages, carriers work around the clock to move parcels to their final destination. With lingering supply chain shortages, it is possible that inventory could still be arriving in batches—making the season stretch longer. But, even if everything runs as smoothly as possible, there will always be last minute shoppers. Here’s what you can expect from the 2022 holiday season.

Here are your deadlines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx:

More after jump! Continue reading below

UPS® Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US

For the full list of deadlines, download this PDF

FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US

Saturday Delivery Matters for Last Minute Shoppers

With December 25th falling on a Sunday this year, Saturday delivery may be utilized for some express, day-definite services. So 2-Day and Next-Day services will require you to pay extra for the specified Saturday delivery option for the carriers.

How ShipStation Makes Holiday Shipping More Efficient

With ShipStation, you can find the right shipping service for any of your parcels—whether it’s the holidays or not. With ShipStation Carrier Services, you can save up to 88% on shipping labels on the services you need for holiday shoppers! Whether it’s 77% off of UPS® Ground rates or 72% off UPS 2nd Day Air®*, ShipStation makes holiday shipping more affordable.

*Discounts off UPS daily rates. Rates are limited to shipping from the U.S. only. Rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.

Regional Carriers

If you missed the deadlines for some of these major carriers consider utilizing regional carriers. Regional carriers serve a smaller geographical network and oftentimes provide faster and more affordable shipping services. For our ShipStation customers, you have access to:

Streamline Your Holiday Shipping

Once you start using ShipStation, how to import your orders from the selling channels, how simple it is to start using ShipStation Carrier Services for all your shipping needs, and how quickly you can batch print all your labels, you’ve knocked hours off of the day’s shipping. Learn everything you need to know about ShipStation to get your shipping prepared for the holiday rush!

Tis the season to start preparing for the holiday season! And, holiday shipping deadlines from carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx are some of the most important pieces of information you’ll need. As a reminder, holiday shipping deadlines are the latest dates you can ship a package with a carrier and have your shipment get to its destination in time for the holidays. For example, a specific shipping service may require you to ship a package by December 16th for it to get to your customer by December 25th because of high shipping volumes. Knowing the holiday shipping deadlines as soon as possible will help you prepare your business and your customers for orders.

Table of Contents

Having those shipping deadlines before the holiday season is in full swing also helps you to plan what shipping you’ll offer your customers and determine whether or not you’ll offer free and/or expedited shipping for the season. Giving your customers an idea of the options they’ll have available before the holiday season will not only prepare them for their holiday shipping but will leave a great impression of your business. Also, with Christmas falling on a Sunday, overnight and expedited shipping options may be even more popular this year.

USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US*

For international shipping options, check out our 2022 USPS International Shipping Deadlines blog!

FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US*

For international shipping deadlines, we recommend reaching out to FedEx directly.

UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines in the US

For international shipping deadlines, we recommend visiting UPS’s website.

The Gift of ShippingEasy

Baillee Perkins is a writer of shipping by day and pop culture by night, so her Google search history is an actual nightmare.

Ho, ho, hoping your holiday cards and gifts arrive on time?

Of course you are. Polite people prefer punctuality. That’s especially true when you send out mail and packages at Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever end-of-year holiday you and your loved ones celebrate.

You’d be smart to heed to the holiday shipping deadlines established by the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS.

Mountains of first-class letters and packages already are on the move. FedEx alone, for example, says it will deliver “hundreds of millions” of packages during the holiday rush.

Holiday Dates for 2022

Christmas is Dec. 25, which falls on a Sunday.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18, and ends the evening of Monday, Dec. 26. The dates vary by year.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 until Sunday, Jan. 1. Dates for the weeklong celebration stay the same annually.

The deadlines are key since a rise in online buying and package deliveries is forecast this year. Plus the dreaded supply-chain issues refuse to disappear, potentially stalling the arrival of a gift on your wish list. According to UPS, industry challenges include tight airfreight capacity, backlogs at ocean ports and truck driver shortages.

A caution for procrastinators: This year Christmas falls on a Sunday, and U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS offices will not be open that day. They will also be shuttered the next day, Monday, Dec. 26, so their (exhausted) workers will have the day off and can rest (although UPS offices will be open in a few limited locations).

Postal Service

These are the key deadlines for domestic mail deliveries in the contiguous 48 states for deliveries before Dec. 25:

Dec. 17 for first-class mail and retail ground service
Dec. 19 for priority mail service
Dec. 23 for priority mail express Service

The U.S. Postal Service says its official holiday season began on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and continues through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Typically, the last two weeks before Christmas are the busiest stretch.

Sue Brennan, a U.S. Postal Service senior public relations representative, urges consumers to mail early, especially when sending packages to “areas of the country impacted by inclement weather.”

The service does not release projections on holiday mail volume, but Brennan projects confidence, saying, “We have worked hard all year, and we are ready to deliver the holidays to the American public.”

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

Dec. 14 – Ground, freight priority

Dec. 20 – Express saver, 3-Day Freight

Dec. 21 – FedEx 2 Day, 2-Day Freight

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

Dec. 23 – FedEx SameDay

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.

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

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

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)

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. 23 – Expedited

Sephora

Dec. 21 – Expedited (by 6:00 a.m.)

Dec. 22 – Standard

Dec. 24 – Same day delivery (slots limited)

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

Our new weekly Impact Report newsletter will examine how ESG news and trends are shaping the roles and responsibilities of today’s executives—and how they can best navigate those challenges. Subscribe here.

There’s still time to ship gifts in time for Christmas delivery, but deadlines are nearing and you’ll often save money by sending presents sooner rather than later.

The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and major retailers have all announced the last days you can ship packages in order for them to be delivered by Dec. 24. Because Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday, some of the 2022 holiday shipping deadlines are a day earlier than last year’s.

Last holiday season, package delays were unusually common as carriers struggled with staffing, causing headaches for many Americans who tried to ship gifts. Fortunately, delivery performance is back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a report last week from experts at ShipMatrix, a technology provider for the shipping industry.

The company’s data shows that the largest carriers (FedEx, UPS and USPS) were delivering more than 95% of parcels on time in November. Delivery performance remained near those levels even during the busy span around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, giving experts confidence that shipping delays won’t be such a problem in the coming weeks.

2022 holiday shipping deadlines

Below are the deadlines for shipping gifts to arrive on or before Dec. 24 from the major delivery services, as well as Amazon and Walmart. (Note: Some of the deadlines have already passed. And if you’re planning on shipping packages to destinations outside the contiguous U.S., you may need to budget more time.)

More information, including shipping deadlines for destinations outside the contiguous U.S., is available on the USPS website.

FedEx offers a variety of shipping options — the deadlines for some of which have already passed — but you can ship with the company’s premium options through the week before Christmas. Here’s the list of deadlines:

FedEx says customers can ship one day later than the listed deadlines for overnight and two-day methods if they pay a $16 “Saturday Delivery” surcharge. More information on all of their shipping options is available here.

These are the deadlines for delivery by Dec. 24 with UPS:

3-Day Select shipping: Dec. 20
2nd Day Air service: Dec. 21

For ground shipping, you’ll have to check the UPS website to calculate the deadline to ship packages because ship times vary depending on the route. UPS has more information about international shipping deadlines posted here.

Prime customers should order by Dec. 22 at the latest if they’re using the company’s two-day shipping option and by Dec. 23 if they’re using one-day shipping in order for items to be delivered by Dec. 24.

ShipMatrix reports that some Amazon orders have been taking longer than they’re supposed to recently, so consider placing your order before these dates.

For customers who aren’t using Prime shipping benefits, delivery times vary and will likely take longer. If you’re not a member of Amazon’s subscription service, check out our guide to see if Amazon Prime is worth it for you.

Similar to Amazon Prime, members of the Walmart+ subscription service customers get access to free two-day or next-day shipping options, depending on the order, which means you’ll be able to order qualifying items as late as either Dec. 22 or Dec. 23 and have them delivered by Dec. 24.

Delivery is generally slower if you’re not using these expedited shipping options. Also, items sold through Walmart by third-parties may not be eligible for accelerated shipping.

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.

More from Money

How to Give Stocks as a Gift

Brew Your Favorite Blend With the Best Coffee Makers With Grinders

These recommendations were provided by each company and are subject to change.

NEW YORK — Looking to mail packages before Santa comes to town? Holiday shipping deadlines are quickly approaching, and the closer you ship to Christmas, the more expensive the delivery!

The United States Postal Service and private shippers UPS and FedEx project to have enough capacity after struggling for the past two years, when many people hunkered down at home and turned to online shopping.

Here are recommended holiday 2022 shipping deadlines for major shipping companies to help you get your packages in the mail on time.

United States Postal Service (USPS) 2022 holiday shipping deadlines

For Dec. 24 delivery

UPS Ground: UPS recommends its self-service options for calculating delivery time
UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 20
UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 21

MORE: Real Christmas trees may cost up to $10 more than last year

FedEx holiday 2022 shipping deadlines

FedEx 3Day Freight: Dec. 20
FedEx 2Day Freight: Dec. 21
FedEx 1Day Freight: Dec. 22
2Day & 2Day AM*: Dec. 21

*With optional Saturday Delivery (a $16 per package surcharge), your last day to ship can be extended by an additional day to 12/23 for FedEx First Overnight and FedEx Priority Overnight and to 12/22 for FedEx 2Day.

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

The Holidays are nearly upon us, and that means it’s a busy time for everyone. If you’re a holiday shopper who likes to avoid the malls but still scrambles to get their gift orders in at the last minute, print out this list and make sure you don’t miss any important online holiday shopping deadlines this year.

We’ve included the holiday shopping deadlines for the three major U.S. shipping carriers (UPS, USPS, and FedEx), as well as for 10 of the most popular online shopping destinations for American shoppers. If you want to have your order before Christmas, take note of these dates.

Holiday Shopping Deadlines At Major Shipping Carriers

Dec. 20 (Tue) – Deadline for UPS 3-Day Select shipments
Dec. 21 (Wed) – Deadline for UPS 2nd Day Air shipments
Dec. 22 (Thu) – Deadline for UPS Next Day Air shipments
Dec. 25 (Fri) – No pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical services are available.

USPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines (within the U

Dec. 17 (Sat) – Deadline for USPS Retail Ground*
Dec. 17 (Sat) – Deadline for First Class Mail**
Dec. 19 (Mon) – Deadline for Priority Mail**
Dec. 23 (Fri) – Deadline for Priority Mail Express***

* Dec. 2 (Fri) for Alaska, N/A for Hawaii

** Dec 17 (Sat) for Alaska and Hawaii

*** Dec 21 (Tue) for Alaska and Hawaii

FedEx Christmas Shipping Deadlines (within the U

Dec. 9 (Thu) – Deadline for FedEx SmartPost shipments (exclusions apply)
Dec. 14 (Wed) – Deadline for FedEx Ground (scheduled pickup) and FedEx Home Delivery shipments
Dec. 20 (Tue) – Deadline for FedEx Express Saver and 3Day Freight shipments
Dec. 21 (Wed) – Deadline for FedEx 2Day Freight shipments
Dec. 22 (Thu) – Deadline for FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx First Overnight, and 1Day Freight shipments
Dec. 23 (Fri) – Deadline for all FedEx SameDay shipments (additional Holiday fee is applied)

These dates are for deliveries within the continental U.S. only. For shipments to U.S. territories and international destinations, view the complete list here.

Holiday Shopping Deadlines At Popular Stores

Dec. 17 (Fri) – Standard shipping (3-5 business days)
Dec. 22 (Wed) – Two-Day shipping
Dec. 23 (Thu) – One-day shipping
Dec. 24 (Fri) – Same-day delivery in select areas
Dec. 24 (Fri) – 2-hour delivery (Prime only) in select areas

Walmart Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec. 15 (Thu) – Standard shipping (3-5 business days)
Dec. 21 (Wed) – Next-day shipping
Dec. 22 (Thu)- Two-day shipping*

*Not available for orders to Hawaii and Alaska.

These dates are based on Walmart’s holiday calendar here.

Shipping is free on orders over $35. No membership is required.

Shop with our Walmart coupons.

Target Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec. 15 (Thu) – Standard shipping (3-5 business days)*
Dec 21 (Wed) – 2-Day Shipping*
Dec. 22 (Thu) – Express shipping (extra fees apply)

*Free on orders over $35 for Target Circle members or REDCard holders.

Shop with our Target coupons.

Best Buy Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec 16 (Fri) – Standard shipping (3-5 business days)
Dec 20 (Tue) – Express shipping
Dec 22 (Thu) – Next Day shipping (orders before 3 pm)
Dec 24 (Sat) – Store Pickup (select orders only)

Shop with our Best Buy coupons here.

Kohls Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec 19 (Tue) – 2-day delivery (order by 1 pm CST).
Dec 20 (Wed) – 1-day delivery (order by 1 pm CST).

Your items will arrive by December 24 if you order on these dates.

Standard delivery for all orders
Shipments to Alaska or Hawaii
APO/FPO deliveries
P.O. Box deliveries

Shop with our Kohls coupons here.

Newegg Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec 14 (Wed): Standard ground shipping
Dec 16 (Fri): 3-day shipping (select orders)
Dec 20 (Tue): 2-day air shipping
Dec 22 (Fri): Next-day air shipping

Shop with our Newegg coupons here.

Lululemon Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec 19 (Mon) – Free standard shipping
Dec. 20 (Wed) – Express shipping ($20 fee)
Dec. 22 (Thu) – Priority shipping ($30 fee)

Products will be shipped 1-2 days after the order has been placed. We found these Lululemon shipping deadlines here.

Shop with our Lululemon coupons.

Apple Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec. 16 (Fri) – Free standard shipping (2-3 business days)*
Dec. 21 (Wed) – Next Day shipping for select iPhones
Dec. 23 (Fri) – Two-hour $9 delivery (select locations)
Dec. 23 (Fri) – In-store pickup (approximately one hour)

We found these Apple shipping details here

*Orders placed before the cutoff time of 5 pm on Monday-Friday will be shipped in 2 business days. Orders placed after the cutoff time will be delivered in 3 business days.

Shop using our Apple coupons here.

Dell Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec. 14 (Tue) – Standard ground shipping
Dec. 20 (Fri) – 2-day shipping
Dec. 21 (Tue) – Next-day shipping

All orders must be processed by 2 pm EST. Expedited and Express shipping options are not available for Alaska and Hawaii.

We found these Dell shipping deadlines listed here.

Shop with our Dell coupons.

Macy’s Christmas Shipping Deadlines

Dec. 8 (11:59 pm ET) – Custom rings (standard shipping)
Dec. 12 (5 pm ET) – Custom rings (express shipping)
Dec. 14 (11:59 pm ET) – Gift cards (mail delivery)
Dec. 21 (5 pm ET) – Standard 2-day shipping (select orders)
Dec. 21 (5 pm ET) – Premium shipping
Dec. 22 (noon ET) – Express shipping*
Dec. 24 (10 am Local) – Same Day Delivery*
Dec. 24 (3 pm Local) – Buy online for in-store or curbside pickup
Dec. 24 (1 pm ET) – E-gift cards (email delivery)

* available for select addresses only

We found these Macy’s shipping deadlines listed here.

Shop with our Macy’s coupons.

Theresa Bautista

Theresa Bautista is a full-time occupational therapist and part-time writer from Texas. She loves indie music, making polymer clay earrings, and spending time with her dogs.