As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s time for businesses to get prepared to meet customer expectations with on-time deliveries. Making sure packages arrive by December 24 is crucial for customer satisfaction and loyalty, so we’ve gathered the essential 2024 holiday shipping deadlines from major carriers to help you plan ahead.
Shipping deadlines are just one part of a successful holiday season, though. Transparent communication with customers about these cutoffs can make a big difference, reducing anxiety around delivery times and helping avoid last-minute issues.
FREE RESOURCE: Get an easy-to-use overview of shipping cutoff dates by carrier. Download our 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines Calendar.
2024 holiday shipping deadline for major carriers
To keep your holiday shipping on track, here are the final recommended shipping dates by carrier. Be sure to double-check each carrier’s specific guidelines, as they may vary based on service type and destination.
United States
USPS
Here are the recommended last days to ship for delivery by December 24, 2024 with USPS:
USPS® holiday shipping deadlines for contiguous US (lower 48 states)
- Ground Advantage™: Wednesday, December 18
- First-Class® Mail: Wednesday, December 18
- Priority Mail®: Thursday, December 19
- Priority Mail Express®: Saturday, December 21
USPS® holiday shipping deadlines for Alaska and Hawaii
- Ground Advantage™: Monday, December 16
- First-Class® Mail: Wednesday, December 18
- Priority Mail®: Thursday, December 19
- Priority Mail Express®: Friday, December 20
USPS® holiday shipping deadlines for international mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
|
Destination |
First-Class Package International Service®/strong> |
Priority Mail International® Service |
Priority Mail Express International® Service |
|
Africa |
December 2 |
December 2 |
December 9 |
|
Asia/Pacific Rim |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Australia and New Zealand |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Canada |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Caribbean |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Central and South America |
December 2 |
December 2 |
December 9 |
|
Europe |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Mexico |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
|
Middle East |
December 9 |
December 9 |
December 16 |
To learn more, read USPS’ announcement.
UPS
Here are the recommended last shipping dates for delivery by December 24 with UPS:
US domestic
- UPS® Ground: Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS 3 Day Select®: December 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: December 20
- UPS Next Day Air®: December 23
US to Canada
- UPS® Standard services (from the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS Worldwide Expedited®: December 20
- UPS Worldwide Express® services: December 23
US to Mexico
- UPS® Standard services (from the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS Worldwide Expedited®: December 19
- UPS Worldwide Express® services: December 20
US to other destinations
For last days to ship from the US to other international destinations, please calculate time and cost at ups.com/ctc.
✏️ Certain destinations may require an earlier ship date. Check ups.com/ctc for details.
FedEx
Here are the recommended last days to ship for delivery by December 24, 2024 with FedEx:
US domestic parcel services
- FedEx Ground® Economy: December 13
- FedEx Express Saver®: December 19
- FedEx 2Day® & FedEx 2Day® AM: December 20 (with an optional Saturday pickup, it can be extended to December 21)
- FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, Extra Hours: December 23
- FedEx SameDay®: December 24
Air freight services
- FedEx 1Day® Freight: December 23
- FedEx 2Day® Freight: December 20
- FedEx 3Day® Freight: December 19
US to Canada
- FedEx International Economy®: December 18
- FedEx International Priority® & FedEx International Priority Distribution®: December 19
- FedEx International First®: December 20
- FedEx® International Next Flight: December 23
US to Mexico
- FedEx International Economy: December 19
- FedEx International Priority®: December 20
- FedEx International First®: December 20
- FedEx® International Next Flight: December 23
US to Puerto Rico
- FedEx International Economy®: December 18
- FedEx International Priority®: December 19
- FedEx International First®: December 20
- FedEx® International Next Flight: December 23
DHL Express
These deadlines ensure packages reach their destinations by December 24, 2024.
DHL eCommerce International Direct (PLT)
- Australia: November 29
- Canada: December 11
- France: December 12
- Germany: December 11
- Hong Kong: November 29
- Ireland: December 9
- Italy: December 9
- Japan: December 9
- Mexico: December 16
- Netherlands: December 11
- New Zealand: November 29
- Rest of EU: December 6
- Singapore: November 29
- South Korea: December 6
- Spain: December 9
- United Kingdom: December 13
Canada
Canada Post
NOTE: Canada Post operations have been shut down due to a national strike. Mail and parcels will not be accepted or delivered during this time.
Below are the most up-to-date shipping deadlines to guarantee your customers receive their orders before December 24, 2024:
|
Priority™ |
Xpresspost™ |
Expedited Parcel™ or Flat Rate Box™ |
Regular Parcel™ |
|
|
Local zone |
December 23 |
December 23 |
December 20 |
December 19 |
|
Regional zone |
December 23 |
December 23 |
December 18 |
December 16 |
|
National zone |
December 20 |
December 20 |
December 12 |
December 10 |
View Canada Post’s recommended dates for sending your holiday packages and cards to ensure they arrive in the US and other international destinations on time.
You can use Canada Post’s online delivery standard tool to find the expected delivery times between Canadian addresses.
UPS
Here are the recommended last days to ship for December 24. 2024 delivery with UPS:
Canada domestic
- UPS Standard®: Check ups.com/ca for details
- UPS Expedited®: December 20
- UPS Express®: December 23
Canada to US
- UPS Standard®: Check ups.com/ca for details
- UPS 3 Day Select®: December 19
- UPS Expedited®: December 20
- UPS Express®: December 23
Canada to other destinations
For last days to ship from Canada to other international destinations, please visit Calculate Time and Cost at ups.com/ca.
Holiday shipping deadlines PDF
To simplify the process, we've created a downloadable 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines PDF Calendar. This resource includes easy-to-read individual calendars for each carrier with region-specific deadlines, making it a handy reference you can share with your team.
Simply click the Download the 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines PDF button below, and be ready for the holiday rush with key dates and guidelines all in one place.
FREE RESOURCE: Get an easy-to-use overview of shipping cutoff dates by carrier. Download our 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines Calendar.
How to streamline your holiday shipping strategy
To avoid disruptions and deliver a seamless experience for your customers, consider these practical tips:
- Add a shipping cutoff banner: Display shipping cutoff dates prominently on your site to keep customers informed.
- Send a customer email: Remind customers when they need to order by to ensure holiday deliveries arrive on time.
- Offer expedited shipping options: This accommodates last-minute shoppers and can help boost conversion rates.
- Stock up on shipping supplies: Order extra supplies to avoid shortages and maintain a steady flow of orders.
- Stay flexible with evening and weekend support: Ensure contacts are available for urgent shipping questions outside regular hours.
Learn more about implementing these strategies.
Wrapping up the season
By planning ahead and communicating holiday shipping deadlines with your customers, you’re setting up a successful, smooth holiday season. With early preparation and the right tools in place, you can boost satisfaction and build loyalty. Here’s to a fulfilling holiday season and satisfied customers!
FREE RESOURCE: Get an easy-to-use overview of shipping cutoff dates by carrier. Download our 2024 Holiday Shipping Deadlines Calendar.
