Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026: USPS, UPS and FedEx Dates

Quick answer: last day to ship by carrier

This table lists the last recommended ship dates for the lower 48 states. USPS dates are for delivery before December 25, while FedEx and UPS dates are for delivery by December 24. Shipping later than these dates may still work, but delivery is not likely on time.

USPS 2026: Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express

For the contiguous United States, the Postal Service lists Thursday, December 17 for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Friday, December 18 for Priority Mail, and Saturday, December 19 for Priority Mail Express. These are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.

For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, USPS lists the same dates for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express. For Ground Advantage, it tells senders to check the estimated delivery date for the ZIP codes involved, because mail between the contiguous U.S. and those places generally has a service expectation of 10 or more days.

UPS and FedEx 2026 cutoffs

FedEx lists last recommended ship dates for delivery by December 24. For Ground and Home Delivery, the date depends on transit time, which excludes weekends and varies by ZIP code.

• Ground and Home Delivery, 1-day transit: Wed, Dec. 23
• Ground and Home Delivery, 2-day transit: Tue, Dec. 22
• Ground and Home Delivery, 3-day transit: Mon, Dec. 21
• Ground and Home Delivery, 4-day transit: Fri, Dec. 18
• Ground and Home Delivery, 5-day transit: Thu, Dec. 17
• SameDay: Thu, Dec. 24
• Ground Economy: Tue, Dec. 15

For UPS, shipping-industry sites report last ship dates of December 21 for 3 Day Select, December 22 for 2nd Day Air and December 23 for Next Day Air, with UPS Ground dates depending on the route. UPS is closed for regular pickup and delivery on Christmas Day. Next Day Air shipped on December 23 arrives by Christmas Eve only when UPS collects it by pickup or at a drop-off location.

Amazon and retailer delivery cutoffs

Amazon and other big retailers set their own order-by cutoffs, which vary by item, seller and address. At the time of writing we could not find a published 2026 Amazon cutoff, so we have not listed one. Check the delivery estimate shown for your address before you pay.

• Order early, since stock and cutoffs change in December.
• Look at the estimated delivery date at checkout, not just the shipping speed.
• Check whether a third-party seller ships the item, because dates may differ.
• Consider store pickup if it is offered, since it can skip shipping time entirely.
• Keep your confirmation emails in case a gift is late.

Alaska, Hawaii, APO/FPO and international

Overseas and military mail needs much more time. USPS lists these recommended dates for delivery before December 25, so if you are sending to a service member or abroad, ship as soon as possible.

Missed the deadline? Gifts that don't need shipping

If a date has passed, you still have good options. These work when you can hand over the gift or deliver it digitally.

• Experience gifts, such as tickets, classes or a dinner out, with a printed card or a note to open.
• Digital gifts, including subscriptions and e-gift cards, that can arrive by email.
• Local gifts from a shop you can visit, including food, plants and books.
• A handmade gift or a homemade treat, delivered in person.

Our experience gift ideas are easy to wrap as a card and can be booked the same day.

For more choices at every budget, our Christmas gift guide has options you can pick up locally. For small extras, see the stocking stuffers guide below.

Gift guide

Stocking Stuffers

Small gifts you can pick up in person on the way home, from treats to little extras.

20 gift ideas