Holiday shopping season is already upon us, and now is the time to make sure that your gifts arrive in time for Christmas. Many stores offer free or discounted shipping for orders during the holiday season. However, it is vital to keep in mind the shipping deadlines in order to ensure your gifts are safely and promptly delivered. Unfortunately, the shipping deadlines vary depending on the retailer and service you choose, so to make your holiday shopping easier here’s a list of shipping deadlines to help you plan in advance.
To ensure that your gifts arrive on time via the United States Postal Service (USPS), you have to make sure that you order by December 20th. This deadline applies to all services, including First Class, Priority Mail, and Express Shipping. For Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail packages, postal officials recommend that you mail your items by December 21st to guarantee delivery.
For UPS shipping, you should aim for these deadlines: For Ground Delivery, December 15th; For 3-Day Shipping, December 21st; For 2-Day Shipping, December 23rd; and For 1-Day Shipping, December 24th. Please note that UPS does not guarantee the delivery of 1-Day Shipping packages sent after 12pm on December 24th.
For FedEx shipping, here are the recommended deadlines: For Ground Delivery, December 16th; and For 2-Day Shipping, December 21st. Christmas Eve and day deliveries are available for an additional fee.
Finally, Amazon Prime two-Day shipping requires customers to order by December 22nd to ensure delivery by Christmas. Note that the deadline may differ depending on your location.
These shipping deadlines are essential to ensure the timely arrival of your holiday gifts. To avoid last minute rushes and disappointments, make sure to use these deadlines and take advantage of FREE or discounted shipping services offered by online retailers. Happy holidays!