2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Key Dates From USPS, FedEx and UPS

December 12, 2025 – With the holiday season quickly approaching, major carriers are reminding customers to ship early to avoid delays. USPS, FedEx, and UPS have released their recommended deadlines for 2025, giving senders a clear timeline to ensure gifts, cards, and holiday essentials arrive before Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other celebrations.

For the U.S. Postal Service, the recommended last day to ship Retail Ground and Media Mail is December 14, while First-Class Mail and First-Class packages should be sent by December 18. Priority Mail should go out by December 19, and Priority Mail Express by December 21.

FedEx advises customers to ship FedEx Ground packages by December 16, while Home Delivery shipments should be sent by December 18. For last-minute sending, FedEx Express Saver must go out by December 20, 2Day by December 21, and Overnight services by December 23.

UPS recommends sending Ground packages by December 17, with 3 Day Select by December 19 and 2nd Day Air by December 20. Next Day Air packages can be shipped as late as December 23.

Carriers warn that winter weather, high package volume, and transportation strain may affect delivery times, making early shipping the safest option.