When’s the Last Day To Ship Christmas Gifts? FedEx, UPS, USPS Deadlines

As the holiday season enters full swing, it’s hard not to notice the number of USPS, UPS, and FedEx trucks on busy residential streets.

With the prevalence of online shopping and the fact that many Americans have friends and family who live afar, it may come as little surprise that the courier companies, as well as the United States Postal Service (USPS), are busier than at any other time of the year.

Who Delivers Fastest Between USPS, FedEx, and UPS? A Brief and Modest Experiment

While the sample size may be low, the timing couldn’t be more relevant. WRAL News shipped three glasses — one with USPS (costing $13.09), one with FedEx (costing $30.47), and one with UPS (costing $18.34) — from Raleigh, North Carolina, to a location in Arizona. The news outlet used each shipper’s least expensive option.

The items were shipped on Dec. 2, and USPS promised delivery by Dec. 6, FedEx by Dec. 7, and UPS by Dec. 10.

FedEx was the only carrier that met and exceeded its target (arriving on Dec. 6), USPS was four days behind schedule (on Dec. 10), and UPS missed its target by a single day, landing in the recipient’s hands on Dec. 11.

What Are the Holiday Shipping Deadlines for USPS, FedEx, and UPS?

Although shipping deadlines vary greatly depending on various factors concerning your mail (destination, size, etc.), there are some guidelines being promoted by each shipping service that could be helpful.

For example, FedEx suggested having your parcels in by Dec. 13, if you’re electing to use FedEx Ground Economy. Of course, there’s always FedEx SameDay, but that could end up costing you hundreds of dollars for the privilege.

As WRAL noted, UPS suggested a general deadline of Dec. 16 for its economy service, UPS Ground. The last day for UPS 3 Day Select is Dec. 19 this year.

Finally, USPS posted its own shipping deadlines. USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail need to be in carrier hands by Dec. 18, Priority Mail by Dec. 19, and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 21. The preceding figures apply to delivery to the lower 48 states. For Alaska and Hawaii, different deadlines apply.

How To Ensure a Safe(r) Home Delivery

It’s important to have your mail in a carrier’s hands by, or even before, the deadline. However, those expecting mail should take precautions to ensure they are in a position to safely receive shipments as well.

As WOODTV reported, Susan Wright, a strategic communications specialist with USPS, recently took an opportunity to speak out on this often underexamined issue.

“Not just during the holiday season, but really all winter long, we ask customers to please be aware of those requests from the postal service just to aid our carriers in delivering the mail safely. We want them to be able to return home to their families the way that they came to work,” Wright said.

The USPS went on to recommend that recipients make sure to secure pets when expecting a delivery and to ensure walkways and mailboxes are kept free of snow and ice.

And if porch pirates are of any concern — statistics suggest that package theft is on the rise, especially during this time of year — consider signature verification, timed delivery, or delivery to a trusted neighbor’s house with one of the aforementioned requirements attached.