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Jason Stark

2021 U.S. Holiday Shipping Deadlines

by Jason Stark
a row of presents

As the holidays approach, it’s a good idea to be prepared with the knowledge you’ll need to avoid shipping delays. Part of this includes knowing each carrier’s holiday shipping deadlines for their particular services. This can help with knowing when, and for how long, to run sales promotions so you can get your product in your customer’s hands before the holidays. Even with these deadlines in mind, it may be a good idea to have your cutoff a few days before, just so you don’t fall flat on delivering to your customers.

Here are the 2021 holiday shipping deadlines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

USPS

USPS SERVICESHIPPING DEADLINE
Retail GroundDecember 15, 2021
First Class MailDecember 17, 2021
Priority MailDecember 18, 2021
Priority Mail ExpressDecember 23, 2021

UPS

UPS SERVICESHIPPING DEADLINE
GroundDecember 15, 2021
3-Day SelectDecember 21, 2021
2-Day ServicesDecember 22, 2021
Overnight ServicesDecember 23, 2021

** Download the UPS 2021 Year-End Holiday Schedule (pdf) **

Fedex

FEDEX SERVICESHIPPING DEADLINE
SmartPostDecember 9, 2021
GroundDecember 15, 2021
Home DeliveryDecember 15, 2021
Express SaverDecember 21, 2021
2-Day ServicesDecember 22, 2021
Overnight ServicesDecember 23, 2021

If we see volumes like we did last year, these dates may end up being more loose guidelines, rather than hard deadlines. The best thing you can do to be prepared is to evaluate your carrier diversification. If you are only using the big three (USPS, FedEx, and UPS), it may be time to talk to an EasyPost representative to see how adding regional carriers to your shipping mix can give you the flexibility you’ll need during peak, and beyond.

Talk to a Shipping Expert