For delivery before Christmas 2026 in the lower 48, USPS recommends sending Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail by Thursday, Dec. 17, Priority Mail by Friday, Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express by Saturday, Dec. 19. UPS and FedEx publish last days to ship for delivery by Thursday, Dec. 24, because both are closed on Christmas Day, and their Ground dates depend on your ZIP codes. These are recommended dates, not guarantees, so ship earlier for Hanukkah, military addresses and international mail.
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We checked every date on this page against the carriers’ own pages on November 12, 2026. Carriers can change their dates, so check the official page again before you ship.
2026 holiday shipping deadlines at a glance
Here are the recommended dates for packages sent within the lower 48. Find your carrier and service in the table, then read the section below it for the details.
Carrier | Service | Send by | Delivery target |
|---|---|---|---|
USPS | Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail | Thu, Dec. 17 | Before Dec. 25 |
USPS | Priority Mail | Fri, Dec. 18 | Before Dec. 25 |
USPS | Priority Mail Express | Sat, Dec. 19 | Before Dec. 25 |
UPS | 3 Day Select | Mon, Dec. 21 | By Dec. 24 |
UPS | 2nd Day Air | Tue, Dec. 22 | By Dec. 24 |
UPS | Next Day Air | Wed, Dec. 23 | By Dec. 24 |
UPS | Ground | Depends on your ZIP codes | Check UPS Calculate Time and Cost |
FedEx | Express Saver | Mon, Dec. 21 | By Dec. 24 |
FedEx | 2Day, 2Day AM | Tue, Dec. 22 | By Dec. 24 |
FedEx | First, Priority and Standard Overnight | Wed, Dec. 23 | By Dec. 24 |
FedEx | SameDay | Thu, Dec. 24 | By Dec. 24 |
FedEx | Ground, Home Delivery | Dec. 17 to Dec. 23, by transit time | By Dec. 24 |
Dates checked on November 12, 2026 on USPS’s holiday shipping page, The UPS Store’s 2026 holiday release (The UPS Store is a UPS company) and FedEx’s 2026 deadlines PDF. There is no single nationwide UPS Ground date, and FedEx Ground dates depend on how many days your package travels. Both are covered below.
Recommended dates are not guarantees
These are send-by dates for the delivery target in the last column. USPS says the actual delivery date can vary with the origin, the destination, the Post Office acceptance time and other conditions. FedEx says its dates can change, and its Ground dates assume a regular scheduled pickup or a drop-off at a staffed FedEx location.
USPS Christmas shipping deadline 2026
USPS lists recommended send-by dates for delivery before Dec. 25 for the lower 48, for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, for international mail and for military addresses. The lower 48 dates are the ones most people need.
Lower 48 states
USPS service | Send by |
|---|---|
USPS Ground Advantage | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
First-Class Mail | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
Priority Mail | Friday, Dec. 18 |
Priority Mail Express | Saturday, Dec. 19 |
Since August 1, 2023, USPS no longer processes refund requests for the guaranteed service on Priority Mail Express. Refund requests for loss are still processed.
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories
First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express use the same dates as the lower 48: Dec. 17, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. USPS Ground Advantage packages between the lower 48 and these places have a service expectation of 10 days or more, so USPS doesn’t give one Ground date. Enter the two ZIP codes and your mailing date in the USPS Service Commitments tool to see yours.
International mail
USPS lists the same dates for every region it shows: Africa, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Mexico and the Middle East.
USPS service | Send by |
|---|---|
First-Class Package International Service | Wednesday, Dec. 9 |
Priority Mail International | Wednesday, Dec. 9 |
Priority Mail Express International | Wednesday, Dec. 16 |
Military and diplomatic mail (APO, FPO and DPO)
The Ground Advantage date for military addresses was Wednesday, Nov. 4, so it has already passed. First-Class Mail and Priority Mail are still open until Wednesday, Dec. 9.
Addressed to | Ground Advantage | First-Class Mail | Priority Mail | Priority Mail Express Military |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ZIPs 090 to 092 | Wed, Nov. 4 (passed) | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 16 |
ZIP 093 | Wed, Nov. 4 (passed) | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 9 | Not available |
ZIPs 094 to 099 | Wed, Nov. 4 (passed) | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 16 |
ZIP 340 | Wed, Nov. 4 (passed) | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 16 |
ZIPs 962 to 966 | Wed, Nov. 4 (passed) | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 9 | Wed, Dec. 16 |
Priority Mail Express Military is only available at selected military and diplomatic Post Offices, so ask your local Post Office if you can use it. Address the package to a named person with their rank and unit. USPS says addressing to “Any Service Member” is no longer allowed, every shipment needs the ZIP+4 code and a return address, and you shouldn’t put a city or country name in an APO, FPO or DPO address.
Once your package is in the mail, track it on our USPS tracking page. If you’re waiting on one with no tracking number, here’s how to track a USPS package without one. Need somewhere to drop it off? See our guide to USPS pickup and dropoff locations.
Dates checked on November 12, 2026.
UPS holiday shipping deadline 2026
For domestic delivery by Thursday, Dec. 24, The UPS Store lists these recommended ship-by dates for UPS air services.
UPS service | Ship by |
|---|---|
UPS 3 Day Select | Monday, Dec. 21 |
UPS 2nd Day Air | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
UPS Next Day Air | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
The UPS Store says these dates are subject to change, so confirm on UPS’s website before you ship.
UPS Ground has no single holiday cutoff
UPS says the last day to ship for delivery by Dec. 24 depends on the service you choose, where your shipment starts, where it’s going and when it needs to arrive. Use Calculate Time and Cost to see the estimate for your own packages.
UPS also warns that from Nov. 16, 2026 to Jan. 8, 2027, a limited number of UPS Ground and UPS Standard packages will need extra time in transit. A limited number of 2nd Day Air packages handed over on Dec. 14, 15, 16 or 21, and of 3 Day Select packages handed over on Dec. 14 or 15, may need an extra day.
UPS holiday hours
- UPS is closed on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 26), Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1, 2027).
- On Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24), UPS picks up Air and international Air packages only if the pickup was arranged by Dec. 18. There is no UPS Ground pickup.
After you ship, track it on our UPS tracking page.
Dates checked on November 12, 2026.
FedEx Christmas shipping deadline 2026
For packages scheduled to arrive by Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026, FedEx lists these last days to ship.
FedEx service | Last day to ship |
|---|---|
FedEx SameDay | Thursday, Dec. 24 |
FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
FedEx 2Day and 2Day AM | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
FedEx Express Saver | Monday, Dec. 21 |
FedEx Ground Economy | Tuesday, Dec. 15 |
FedEx Ground and Home Delivery by transit time
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery use the same dates. Which one applies to you depends on how many days your package takes to travel.
Transit time | Last day to ship |
|---|---|
5 days | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
4 days | Friday, Dec. 18 |
3 days | Monday, Dec. 21 |
2 days | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
1 day | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
To find your transit time, look up your ZIP codes on the FedEx Ground map. FedEx says Ground delivery takes 1 to 5 business days within the lower 48, and 3 to 7 business days to and from Alaska and Hawaii.
FedEx international
FedEx lists these last days to ship for arrival by Dec. 24. They don’t include time for customs clearance, so allow extra days. For other countries, use FedEx’s rate and transit tool.
Destination | FedEx service | Last day to ship |
|---|---|---|
Canada | International Next Flight, First, Priority | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
Canada | International Priority Distribution | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
Canada | International Economy, Connect Plus | Monday, Dec. 21 |
Mexico | International Next Flight, First, Priority | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
Mexico | International Economy, Connect Plus | Monday, Dec. 21 |
Puerto Rico | International Next Flight, First, Priority | Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
Puerto Rico | International Economy | Tuesday, Dec. 22 |
FedEx holiday hours
- On Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 26), FedEx is closed. It runs modified service on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27.
- On Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24), FedEx runs modified service, with modified Ground pickups. It’s closed on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) and open again on Saturday, Dec. 26.
- FedEx is closed on New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1, 2027).
Once it’s shipped, track it on our FedEx tracking page or read every way to track a FedEx package. Dropping it off? Here’s how to find FedEx pickup and dropoff locations.
Dates checked on November 12, 2026.
Orders from Amazon, OnTrac, Veho and other carriers
This guide covers USPS, UPS and FedEx only. For orders that come with other carriers, use the delivery date shown at checkout or in your order. You can follow them with our Amazon tracking page, OnTrac tracking page and Veho tracking page.
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other holidays
USPS notes that Hanukkah (Dec. 4 to Dec. 12) is earlier this year, so adjust accordingly. The Christmas dates above come too late for it, so send those gifts as early as you can. USPS says the same tables also cover Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 to Jan. 1) and other holiday traditions.
Do USPS, UPS and FedEx deliver on Christmas?
Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25)
USPS lists Christmas Day as one of its 2026 postal holidays. UPS and FedEx are both closed, which is why their deadlines aim for Dec. 24. Don’t plan on a package arriving on Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24)
Christmas Eve isn’t on USPS’s 2026 holiday list, but check your local Post Office for its hours. UPS picks up only prearranged Air packages and has no Ground pickup. FedEx runs modified service.
Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 26)
USPS lists Thanksgiving as a postal holiday, and UPS and FedEx are both closed.
How to confirm the last day to ship for your package
The tables are a good guide. Your own ZIP codes decide the real date. Enter your ZIP codes and mailing date in the USPS Service Commitments tool, then check UPS Calculate Time and Cost and the FedEx Ground map for those carriers.
Where you hand it over matters too. USPS says delivery depends on the Post Office acceptance time, and FedEx bases its Ground dates on a regular pickup or a drop-off at a staffed location, so a late drop-off may count as the next day. Our guide to finding package pickup and dropoff locations can help you pick a spot, and our carrier shipping times guide covers normal transit times outside the holidays.
Already shipped and not sure which carrier has it? Try our tool to find a carrier by tracking number, or read how to look up tracking numbers.
What if you already missed the last day to ship?
Move up a service, such as Ground to Priority Mail or an air service, to shorten the transit time. You can also ship to a pickup point near the recipient, or send a gift card or something digital. Paying more can help, but no one can promise it will arrive by Dec. 25.
Track all your deliveries with Spoke Package Tracker
Spoke Package Tracker lets you track more than one courier at any one time, so USPS, UPS, FedEx and the rest all sit in one place. That makes life far easier when you’re sending gifts and expecting orders in the same week. Spoke also lets you set up notifications, so you can plan your day around every delivery.
Follow your package from the store to your door and download Spoke Package Tracker for free now.
Holiday shipping deadlines FAQs
What is the last day to ship Christmas packages in 2026?
In the lower 48, USPS recommends Dec. 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 19 for Priority Mail Express. For delivery by Dec. 24, UPS air services run from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23, and FedEx Express Saver, 2Day and overnight services run from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23. Ground depends on your ZIP codes.
What is the USPS Christmas shipping deadline?
For delivery before Dec. 25, it’s Thursday, Dec. 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Friday, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Saturday, Dec. 19 for Priority Mail Express.
What is the UPS holiday shipping deadline?
For delivery by Dec. 24, The UPS Store lists Monday, Dec. 21 for 3 Day Select, Tuesday, Dec. 22 for 2nd Day Air and Wednesday, Dec. 23 for Next Day Air.
What is the FedEx Christmas shipping deadline?
For arrival by Dec. 24, FedEx lists Monday, Dec. 21 for Express Saver, Tuesday, Dec. 22 for 2Day and Wednesday, Dec. 23 for overnight services. Ground and Home Delivery run from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23, depending on transit time.
Is there a nationwide UPS Ground holiday cutoff?
No. UPS says the last day to ship depends on the service, the origin and the destination, so use Calculate Time and Cost.
When should I ship to Alaska, Hawaii or a U.S. territory?
First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express use the same dates as the lower 48. Ground Advantage has a service expectation of 10 days or more, so check the USPS Service Commitments tool.
When should I ship to an APO, FPO or DPO address?
Send First-Class Mail or Priority Mail by Wednesday, Dec. 9. Priority Mail Express Military is Wednesday, Dec. 16 where it’s available. The Ground Advantage date was Wednesday, Nov. 4.
When should I ship international packages?
With USPS, First-Class Package International Service and Priority Mail International are due Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Priority Mail Express International is due Wednesday, Dec. 16.
When should I ship for Hanukkah 2026?
As early as you can. Hanukkah runs Dec. 4 to Dec. 12 this year, so it starts well before the Dec. 17 to 19 USPS dates.
Do USPS, UPS and FedEx deliver on Christmas Day?
No. UPS and FedEx are closed on Friday, Dec. 25, and USPS lists it as a postal holiday.
Are the shipping deadlines guaranteed?
No. They’re recommended send-by dates, and each carrier can change them.
