Tracking Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Key Dates You Can’t Miss
As the holiday season approaches, businesses and individuals alike face the high-stakes challenge of getting gifts and goods to loved ones on time. While this may not be much of an issue when shipping within the US, sending packages internationally can take much longer depending on the destination region and country. Regardless of the destination, timing is everything to avoid delays and disappointment.
Each carrier has various cut-off dates for services in order to better guarantee that packages will arrive in time for the holidays. However, with a range of shipping options—from economy to express—these cut-off dates vary widely depending on the destination and service type.
In this guide, we’ll break down the must-know 2024 holiday shipping deadlines for each major US shipping carrier, ensuring you’re prepared to spread holiday cheer without a hitch.
Key Shipping Dates for The 2024 Holiday Season
FedEx
Shipping within the US:
- FedEx Ground: December 15
- FedEx Express Saver: December 20
- FedEx 2Day Services: December 21
- FedEx Standard and Priority Overnight: December 23
- FedEx SameDay: December 24 (additional fees apply for holiday season same-day delivery)
Shipping Internationally:
- FedEx International Economy shipments have cutoff dates from December 11th–16th, depending on the specific destination.
- For quicker delivery, FedEx International Priority shipments have cutoff dates that generally fall between December 18th and December 20th. For last-minute international shipping, FedEx also offers International First services that provide next-day delivery to major global cities, although it’s best to arrange this as early as possible.
UPS
Shipping within the US:
- UPS Ground: December 15
- UPS 3 Day Select: December 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air: December 21
- UPS Next Day Air: December 22
Shipping Internationally:
- UPS Worldwide Expedited is ideal for less-urgent international shipping, with recommended deadlines generally in early December depending on the destination country.
- For faster service, UPS Worldwide Express and Express Plus often have cutoff dates around December 18th–20th. The exact date depends on the destination and chosen service level.
USPS
Shipping within the US:
The shipping deadlines for the contiguous United States are:
- USPS Ground Advantage: December 18
- First-Class Mail: December 18
- Priority Mail: December 19
- Priority Mail Express: December 21
For Hawaii and Alaska, the deadlines are:
- USPS Ground Advantage: December 16
- First-Class Mail : December 18
- Priority Mail: December 19
- Priority Mail Express: December 20
Shipping Internationally:
- USPS recommends early international shipping, with their First-Class Package International Service typically requiring the longest lead time. For reliable holiday arrival, you should plan to ship before December 9th for many destinations.
- Priority Mail International has a cutoff around December 11th, while Priority Mail Express International, which is faster, has a cutoff date around December 16th. For the most urgent shipments, Global Express Guaranteed may offer delivery by December 25th if sent by December 20th for select countries.
DHL: A Popular Option For International Shipping
Although nowhere near as prevalent in domestic US shipping compared to USPS, FedEx, or UPS, DHL is an incredibly popular shipping carrier outside of the US. This is due to its extensive global network of over 220 countries and territories, as well as their expertise in cross-border logistics. This could make DHL an appealing option for shipping packages internationally, especially to locations where other carriers may not have as much of a presence.
DHL’s exact international cut-off dates for the holiday season vary by region and destination country. Many locations have final holiday cut-offs around December 15 for standard international services and closer to December 18-20 for Express options. Due to differences in regional holidays, specific restrictions may apply around December 24-26 for countries in Asia, Europe, and other destinations.
The best way to ensure on-time international delivery with DHL is to consult their official site or customer support for precise destination dates.
Protect Every Gift and Deliver Holiday Cheer with Preferred Packaging Products
Since 1985, we have been the preferred packaging logistics, and automation solution for businesses along the Colorado Front Range.
We specialize in custom package development to help our customers maximize product protection, minimize material waste, and optimize shipping costs for their products.
We also provide a wide selection of high-quality generic packaging products and materials to suit all of your packaging and business needs.
Some other ways Preferred Packaging can help your business include:
- Logistics, warehouse, and distribution services that streamline your logistics process and improve order fulfillment.
- Package kitting and assembly services that allow your team to focus on more vital tasks and daily operations.
- Equipment installation and automation services that increase your efficiency and help your business transition to a more hands-off packaging process.
To see how Preferred Packaging Products can help your business, give us a call at (303) 444-4774 or get in touch with us online to get started.