Let’s face it, 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, but we’d like to help as you plan your next move and begin sending out your holiday packages.
If you intend to send your gifts via traditional mail this year, we’ve compiled the domestic shipping deadlines for various carriers and major retailers, so you can plan ahead and ensure your packages arrive before the holidays. Hopefully, it will help you avoid some unwanted stress — well, assuming that’s even possible this time of year.
UPS 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Final day to ship |
Ships via this service |
|---|---|
| December 19th | UPS 3 Day Select |
| December 22nd | UPS 2nd Day Air |
| December 23rd | UPS Next Day Air |
With UPS, you have until Tuesday, December 23rd, to ship via Next Day Air and have your package arrive by Wednesday, December 24th. Packages shipped via Next Day Air after the 23rd won’t arrive until after Christmas. Monday, December 22nd, is the last day to ship via 2nd Day Air if you want your package to arrive by December 24th. You can opt for UPS’s 3 Day Select option until Friday, December 19th, to have it arrive by the 22nd. If you plan to ship your packages before then, you should be fine opting for the standard pickup and delivery service.
See more details regarding UPS shipping deadlines here.
FedEx 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Final day to ship |
Ships via this service |
|---|---|
| December 20th | FedEx Express Saver |
| December 22nd | FedEx 2Day and 2Day AM |
| December 24th | FedEx SameDay |
FedEx says the cutoff for its SameDay delivery is Wednesday, December 24th, but it’s risky to ship packages that late, as even the slightest delay could result in them arriving after Christmas. However, if you ship it by Monday, December 22nd, you can choose either of the two-day shipping methods. And if you manage to get it to FedEx by Saturday, December 20th, you can go with the Express Saver option for a more reasonable shipping fee.
See more details regarding FedEx shipping deadlines here.
USPS 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Final day to ship |
Ships via this service |
|---|---|
| December 17th | First-Class Mail |
| December 17th | USPS Ground Advantage |
| December 18th | Priority Mail |
| December 20th | Priority Mail Express |
Saturday, December 20th, is the final day to send packages (to arrive by Christmas Eve) via USPS Priority Mail Express, while the cutoff date for packages to be delivered before Christmas via standard Priority Mail is Thursday, December 18th. First-Class Mail packages and those you intend to send via USPS Ground Advantage, meanwhile, must be sent by Wednesday, December 17th, if you want them to arrive in time for Christmas.
See more details regarding USPS shipping deadlines here.
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Amazon holiday shipping 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; however, the exact threshold varies by location (see here for more details). Same-Day Delivery costs up to $2.99 per order for Prime members whose orders fall under the threshold, or up to $12.99 for non-Prime customers.
- 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 checkout, then choose accordingly.
Illustration by Kristen Radtke
- If you’re a My Best Buy Plus or Total subscriber, you can get free two-day shipping with no minimum order size. However, those without a premium subscription must meet the $35 order threshold (before taxes but after coupons), and only certain items are available for next-day and standard shipping.
- Free next-day delivery is available on select items through December 23rd if you order by 10:30AM local time.
- You can get free same-day delivery if you order your package on December 24th, as long as you place your order by 12PM local time.
- If you order online by 5PM local time on Christmas Eve, you’ll also be eligible for in-store pickup until 7PM.
Keep in mind that Best Buy’s shipment and arrival dates vary depending on the type of item you’re purchasing. Major appliances, for instance, may take longer to be delivered than smaller, more conventional electronics.
Illustration by Kristen Radtke
- Walmart offers free standard shipping on orders of $35 sold directly from Walmart. You must place orders by 12:30PM local time on December 23rd to receive the package in time for Christmas, however. Next-day shipping is also available in some areas.
- Walmart also offers free next-day and two-day shipping to Walmart Plus subscribers with no order minimum. However, the arrival date of your package may vary depending on whether Walmart or a third-party seller is shipping your item.
- The retailer offers same-day pickup and delivery on orders placed by 12PM local time on December 24th.
- You can also have the package delivered to you in as little as one hour on Christmas Eve if you order by 5PM local time and pay a $10 Express Delivery fee.
Illustration by Kristen Radtke
- Target stores will be open until midnight through December 23rd and 8PM local time on Christmas Eve, though it’s wise to get pickup orders and same-day shipping orders in by December 23rd to be on the safe side.
- Orders placed by 6PM local time on Christmas Eve are eligible for in-store pickup until 8PM.
- Those with a Target Circle card can receive free two-day shipping on many items from the retailer’s website, and same-day delivery on orders placed by 3PM local time on Christmas Eve. Next-day delivery is available in 35 cities, too, but the order cutoff time varies by location.
- Many (but not all) orders over $35 are eligible for free shipping, even if you don’t have a Target Circle card or Circle 360 membership. It’s determined by the item’s location and your ZIP code.
As with Walmart and Amazon, be aware that items shipped or sold by third-party retailers at Target may 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, December 13th: Updated shipping deadlines and other related information pertaining to the 2025 holiday season.
