TAMPA, Fla. — The holiday shipping rush is officially underway as USPS, UPS, and other carriers announce their final deadlines to ensure packages arrive on time for Christmas.
Postal and shipping offices are already seeing longer lines as those cutoff dates approach, so waiting much longer could mean delayed gifts.
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
If you’re using the United States Postal Service, the most affordable options have the earliest deadlines:
Today is the last day to ship First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage for Christmas delivery.
Thursday, December 18 is the deadline for USPS Priority Mail.
Saturday, December 20 is the final day to ship using Priority Mail Express to guarantee on-time arrival.
UPS Offers a Few Extra Days
If you need more time, UPS may be the better option, as their deadlines extend a few days later than USPS.
At a UPS location in St. Petersburg, manager Tony Morcos says stores are busy, with trucks picking up packages nightly after 6 p.m. UPS locations are also operating with extended holiday hours.
“The UPS Store is very convenient. We have 5,400 locations, and one of the biggest aspects of our stores is extended hours during the holidays. For example, we’re open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and we’re open Saturday and Sunday,” Morcos said.
UPS Shipping Deadlines
December 19: Deadline for 3-Day Select
December 22: Deadline for 2nd Day Air
December 23: Final deadline for Next Day Air deliveries
Skip the Lines by Shipping Online
More customers are choosing to set up shipping online, which can help avoid long lines at local post offices and shipping centers.
For a full breakdown of holiday shipping options and deadlines, visit United States Postal Service or UPS Holiday Schedule.