Holiday Shipping Deadlines Are Critical. Your Strategy Decides the Outcome.
Carrier cut-offs are non-negotiable. Miss them and you risk delays, unhappy customers, and lost sales. To succeed this holiday season, stay on top of the deadlines and back them up with smart shipping strategies that protect your margins and keep customers satisfied.
Here is all you need to know about this year’s holiday shipping deadlines.
The 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
These are the last days carriers recommend shipping to ensure delivery by Christmas Day. Build in at least one day for processing and check variations for Alaska, Hawaii, territories, and international orders.
USPS
| Service | US 48 States | AK/HI |
| Ground Advantage | Wed, Dec 17 | Tue, Dec 16 |
| First-Class Mail (letters and small parcels) | Wed, Dec 17 | Wed, Dec 17 |
| Priority Mail | Thu, Dec 18 | Thu, Dec 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | Sat, Dec 20 | Sat, Dec 20 |
See more details on the USPS holiday shipping page.
UPS
- Ground: Use the Calculate Time and Cost page for exact cut-off dates
- 3-Day Select: Fri, Dec 19
- 2nd Day Air: Sat, Dec 20
- Next Day Air: Tue, Dec 23
FedEx
- Ground Economy: Mon, Dec 15
- Express Saver®: Fri, Dec 19 (Saturday pickup available Dec 20 with fee)
- 2 Day Services: Mon, Dec 22
- SameDay®: Wed, Dec 24
- Overnight Services: Tue, Dec 23
Five Ways to Win the Holiday Sales Rush
1. Make the deadlines impossible to miss: Put them front and center on product pages, checkout, and email campaigns. Shoppers should always be aware of the last day to make a purchase.
2. Give yourself breathing room: Set your cutoffs earlier than carriers to allow for processing and unexpected delays.
3. Spread out your shipping options: Do not rely on a single carrier or warehouse. Use multiple carriers, different origins, and pickup options to stay agile.
4. Be upfront at checkout: Show duties, taxes, delivery dates, and any extra fees before customers pay. Clear communication wins trust.
5. Treat returns as part of the plan: Returns will spike after the holidays. Keep them simple and consistent so customers feel confident buying again.
Master Holiday Shipping with These Key Strategies
The holiday rush will either fuel your sales or slow you down. The difference comes from planning ahead and using tools that keep you flexible, transparent, and efficient. Here’s how to gain an edge this season.
1. Be Clear on Cost and Delivery Timeline
Show duties & taxes, and shipping costs upfront. Display delivery estimates on product pages and checkout so shoppers know what to expect.
2. Relieve Last-Mile Pressure with Local Pickup
Offer Ship to Store or in-store pickup to cut transit times, lower costs, and give shoppers more control during peak season.
3. Keep Promises Realistic with Exact Dates
Set accurate delivery dates and cutoffs by factoring in processing times and carrier capabilities. This avoids missed commitments and reduces customer inquiries.
4. Safeguard Margins Through Accurate Rates
Use rate shopping and dimensional weight shipping to secure the best carrier price for each order and keep expenses under control.
5. Streamline Operations with Smarter Fulfillment
Rely on multiple carriers, route from the closest origin, and make returns simple. Flexibility in both outbound and return shipping keeps orders moving and customers satisfied.
Your customers won’t remember the exact cutoff date. What they’ll remember is whether their order was under the tree on Christmas morning. The deadlines aren’t moving, but how you prepare is in your control.
Start your 15-day free trial today and set yourself up for success this holiday season.
