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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 SERVICE
SHIPPING DEADLINE
Retail Ground
December 15, 2021
First Class Mail
December 17, 2021
Priority Mail
December 18, 2021
Priority Mail Express
December 23, 2021

UPS

UPS SERVICE
SHIPPING DEADLINE
Ground
December 15, 2021
3-Day Select
December 21, 2021
2-Day Services
December 22, 2021
Overnight Services
December 23, 2021

Fedex

FEDEX SERVICE
SHIPPING DEADLINE
SmartPost
December 9, 2021
Ground
December 15, 2021
Home Delivery
December 15, 2021
Express Saver
December 21, 2021
2-Day Services
December 22, 2021
Overnight Services
December 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