Table of Contents
The USPS deadline for Ground Advantage and First Class Mail is Thursday, December 17. USPS Priority Mail should be sent by Friday, December 18, and Priority Mail Express by Saturday, December 19. UPS Next Day Air and FedEx overnight services have a last ship date of Wednesday, December 23. International packages from the US should go by December 9 for most USPS services. Royal Mail usually confirms its Christmas posting dates in November, with Special Delivery the latest option.
Christmas is less than eight weeks away, and the Christmas shipping deadlines 2026 are closer than you think, and if you are sending gifts to family and friends, the clock is already ticking. Every year, millions of packages arrive late because people miss the last shipping dates by just a day or two.
The good news is that the major carriers have now published most of their Christmas shipping deadlines 2026. Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year, which gives you a little extra time in the final week.
Here are the Christmas shipping deadlines 2026 for USPS, UPS and FedEx, plus Royal Mail dates for the UK, international deadlines and simple tips to make sure your gifts arrive on time.
Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026 at a Glance
| Carrier and service | Last day to ship |
| FedEx Ground Economy | Tuesday, December 15 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | Thursday, December 17 |
| USPS First Class Mail | Thursday, December 17 |
| USPS Priority Mail | Friday, December 18 |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | Saturday, December 19 |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Monday, December 21 |
| FedEx Express Saver | Monday, December 21 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Tuesday, December 22 |
| FedEx 2Day | Tuesday, December 22 |
| UPS Next Day Air | Wednesday, December 23 |
| FedEx Overnight | Wednesday, December 23 |
| FedEx SameDay | Thursday, December 24 |
These dates are for delivery within the contiguous United States by Christmas. Ground delivery times can vary by distance, so always check the estimated delivery date when you ship.
USPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
USPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
Send your holiday gifts on time with these recommended USPS shipping dates.
| USPS Service | Last Send Date |
|---|---|
| Ground Advantage | Dec 17, Thursday |
| First Class MailCards and letters | Dec 17, Thursday |
| Priority Mail | Dec 18, Friday |
| Priority Mail Express | Dec 19, Saturday |
For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US territories, Ground Advantage can take 10 days or more. Send packages much earlier.
Buy postage, print shipping labels and schedule free package pickup at USPS.com.
The US Postal Service has published its official holiday shipping dates for the lower 48 states:
| USPS service | Last recommended send date |
| USPS Ground Advantage | Thursday, December 17 |
| First Class Mail (cards and letters) | Thursday, December 17 |
| Priority Mail | Friday, December 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | Saturday, December 19 |
For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US territories, First Class Mail is also December 17, Priority Mail December 18 and Priority Mail Express December 19. USPS Ground Advantage can take 10 days or more to reach these areas, so send ground packages much earlier.
Post offices will be very busy in mid December. You can buy postage, print labels and schedule a free package pickup at USPS.com to avoid the lines.
UPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
UPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
Know the last recommended shipping dates to get your gifts delivered before Christmas.
| UPS Service | Last Day to Ship |
|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Check Transit Time |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Dec 21Monday |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Dec 22Tuesday |
| UPS Next Day Air | Dec 23Wednesday |
UPS will deliver on Christmas Eve, but Ground pickup is unavailable. Air pickups must be arranged in advance.
UPS does not provide regular pickup or delivery services on Christmas Day.
| UPS service | Last day to ship |
| UPS Ground | Depends on distance, check the UPS time in transit tool |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Monday, December 21 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Tuesday, December 22 |
| UPS Next Day Air | Wednesday, December 23 |
UPS will deliver on Thursday, December 24, but there is no Ground pickup that day. Air pickups on Christmas Eve must be arranged in advance. UPS does not pick up or deliver on Christmas Day.
FedEx Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
📦 FedEx Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
Check the last recommended shipping dates to get your Christmas packages delivered on time.
| FedEx Service | Last Ship Date |
|---|---|
| Ground Economy | Dec 15 · Tue |
| Ground & Home Delivery (5-day) | Dec 17 · Thu |
| Ground & Home Delivery (4-day) | Dec 18 · Fri |
| Ground & Home Delivery (3-day) | Dec 21 · Mon |
| Ground & Home Delivery (2-day) | Dec 22 · Tue |
| Ground & Home Delivery (1-day) | Dec 23 · Wed |
| Express Saver | Dec 21 · Mon |
| FedEx 2Day & 2Day AM | Dec 22 · Tue |
| Overnight Services | Dec 23 · Wed |
| FedEx SameDay | Dec 24 · Thu |
FedEx Ground delivery times depend on distance. Check your estimated transit time before shipping.
| FedEx service | Last day to ship |
| FedEx Ground Economy | Tuesday, December 15 |
| FedEx Ground and Home Delivery (5 day transit) | Thursday, December 17 |
| FedEx Ground and Home Delivery (4 day transit) | Friday, December 18 |
| FedEx Ground and Home Delivery (3 day transit) | Monday, December 21 |
| FedEx Ground and Home Delivery (2 day transit) | Tuesday, December 22 |
| FedEx Ground and Home Delivery (1 day transit) | Wednesday, December 23 |
| FedEx Express Saver | Monday, December 21 |
| FedEx 2Day and 2Day AM | Tuesday, December 22 |
| FedEx overnight services | Wednesday, December 23 |
| FedEx SameDay | Thursday, December 24 |
FedEx ground transit times depend on where you are shipping from and to. Use the FedEx transit time tool to find your exact date.
International Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026 From the US
🌍 International Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026
Sending Christmas gifts overseas? Ship early to avoid holiday delivery delays.
| USPS International Service | Last Ship Date |
|---|---|
| First Class Package International | Dec 9 · Wed |
| Priority Mail International | Dec 9 · Wed |
| Priority Mail Express International | Dec 16 · Wed |
UPS and FedEx deadlines vary by destination. Customs checks can also add extra delivery time.
If you are sending gifts abroad, you need to plan much earlier. USPS recommends:
| USPS international service | Last day to ship |
| First Class Package International Service | Wednesday, December 9 |
| Priority Mail International | Wednesday, December 9 |
| Priority Mail Express International | Wednesday, December 16 |
UPS and FedEx international deadlines vary by country. Check each carrier’s website for your destination, and remember that customs checks can add extra days.
Military Mail: APO, FPO and DPO
Sending gifts to service members overseas takes extra time. Military mail deadlines vary by location and service, and some areas need packages sent as early as mid November. Check the USPS military mail holiday schedule for the exact dates for your loved one’s APO, FPO or DPO address.
Royal Mail Last Posting Dates for Christmas 2026
Royal Mail Christmas Posting Dates 2026
Plan ahead and send your Christmas cards and gifts before the holiday rush.
| Royal Mail Service | Expected Last Date |
|---|---|
| 2nd Class & Signed For | Dec 17 · Thu |
| Tracked 48 | Dec 18 · Fri |
| 1st Class & Signed For | Dec 19 · Sat |
| Tracked 24 | Dec 20 · Sun |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Dec 22–23 |
Royal Mail normally confirms its official 2026 Christmas posting dates in November. Check the official Christmas page before posting.
Check Royal Mail Updates →Delivered on alternate weekdays since 2025, so allow extra delivery time.
Post overseas gifts in late November or early December, depending on the destination.
In the UK, Royal Mail normally confirms its official last posting dates in November. Based on recent years, here is what to expect:
| Royal Mail service | Expected last posting day |
| 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For | Around Thursday, December 17 |
| Tracked 48 | Around Friday, December 18 |
| 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For | Around Saturday, December 19 |
| Tracked 24 | Around Sunday, December 20 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Around Tuesday, December 22 or Wednesday, December 23 |
These are estimates only. Check the official dates on the Royal Mail Christmas page before you post.
Remember that Second Class letters are no longer delivered every day. Since 2025, they are delivered on alternate weekdays, so they can take a little longer than they used to. If a card must arrive on time, use First Class.
International posting from the UK usually needs to happen in late November or early December, depending on the country. Destinations such as Australia, New Zealand and the Far East need the earliest posting dates.
Christmas Shipping in Europe
Most European postal services publish their own Christmas deadlines in November. As a general rule, send parcels within your own country by mid December, and parcels to other European countries by early December. Deliveries over the Christmas period can also be slowed by bad winter weather.
Tips to Make Sure Your Gifts Arrive on Time
- Ship early. The safest plan is to send everything by December 15. Carriers handle huge volumes in the final days, and delays are common.
- Use the right box. Strong boxes and plenty of padding prevent damage. Remove old labels if you reuse a box.
- Write clear addresses. Include ZIP codes or postcodes and apartment numbers. A wrong address is one of the main causes of late or lost parcels.
- Get tracking. Choose a service with tracking so you and the recipient can follow the parcel.
- Buy insurance for valuable gifts. Many services include some cover, but extra protection may be worth it for expensive items.
- Ship to a pickup point. If no one will be home, send to a locker or pickup location to avoid missed deliveries and theft.
- Watch the weather. Winter storms can delay trucks and flights, especially in the final week.
Ordering Online? Check Retailer Deadlines Too
Christmas shipping deadlines 2026 do not just apply to packages you send yourself. Online stores also have cutoff dates for standard and express delivery, which are often earlier than the carrier deadlines.
Many big retailers offer buy online, pick up in store, which can be a lifesaver if you miss a shipping cutoff. Some also offer same day delivery in major cities right up to Christmas Eve.
If you are taking advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, ordering early also gives you time to return or exchange anything that arrives damaged.
Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026: Week by Week Plan
Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026: Week by Week Plan
Plan your deliveries early and avoid the last-minute Christmas shipping rush.
16–22
🌏 Military & Overseas Gifts
Send military packages and gifts going to Asia and Australia.
23–29
🌍 International Gifts
Ship Christmas gifts to family and friends in Europe and Canada.
30–06
💌 Overseas Christmas Cards
Mail Christmas cards to friends and family living overseas.
07–13
🎁 Most Domestic Gifts
Send most domestic gifts while post offices are generally calmer.
14–17
📦 Last Ground Packages
Send remaining ground packages and First Class cards as soon as possible.
18–23
🚚 Express & Overnight Shipping
Use express or overnight services only, and check carrier availability before sending.
To avoid a last minute rush, spread your sending across the season:
| Week | What to send |
| November 16 to 22 | Military packages and gifts going to Asia and Australia |
| November 23 to 29 | International gifts to Europe and Canada |
| November 30 to December 6 | Christmas cards to overseas friends and family |
| December 7 to 13 | Most domestic gifts, while post offices are calmer |
| December 14 to 17 | Last ground packages and First Class cards |
| December 18 to 23 | Express and overnight shipping only |
Planning ahead like this means you will not have to rely on the very last Christmas shipping deadlines 2026, when prices for express services are at their highest.
How Much Does Holiday Shipping Cost?
Shipping prices depend on weight, size, distance and speed. Ground services are the cheapest, while overnight and express shipping can cost several times more. To save money:
- Compare carriers. USPS is often cheapest for small, light packages, while UPS and FedEx can be competitive for heavier boxes.
- Use flat rate boxes. USPS Priority Mail flat rate boxes can be good value for heavy items going a long way.
- Ship earlier. Meeting the earlier Christmas shipping deadlines 2026 lets you use cheaper ground services instead of paying for express.
- Buy postage online. Some carriers offer lower prices for labels bought online than at the counter.
- Keep boxes small. Carriers often charge by size as well as weight.
Watch Out for Fake Delivery Texts
The weeks before Christmas are peak season for delivery scams. Criminals send fake texts and emails claiming to be from USPS, UPS, FedEx, Royal Mail or Evri, saying a parcel could not be delivered and asking you to pay a small fee.
Do not click the links. Track your parcels only through the carrier’s official website or app, using the tracking number from your order or receipt.
What if Your Package Is Late?
If your gift misses Christmas:
- Check tracking for updates or delivery attempts.
- Contact the sender or retailer. If you paid for guaranteed delivery and it was late, you may be entitled to a refund of the shipping cost.
- Let the recipient know. A quick message or a printed photo of the gift can save the moment.
- Consider a digital gift as a backup, such as an e-gift card, a subscription or an experience.
Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2026: Quick Checklist
| Task | When |
| Send international gifts | By December 9 |
| Send military packages | Mid November to early December |
| Send USPS ground packages | By December 17 |
| Send cards by First Class | By December 17 |
| Last USPS Priority Mail | December 18 |
| Last overnight shipping | December 23 |
More From ScoopsBuzz
- Black Friday 2026: dates, early deals and the full sales calendar
- How to spot a scam text: 12 warning signs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Christmas shipping deadlines 2026 for USPS?
Ground Advantage and First Class Mail by December 17, Priority Mail by December 18 and Priority Mail Express by December 19.
What is the last day to ship UPS for Christmas 2026?
UPS Next Day Air on Wednesday, December 23. UPS 2nd Day Air is December 22 and 3 Day Select is December 21.
What is the last day to ship FedEx for Christmas?
FedEx overnight services by December 23, and FedEx SameDay by December 24.
When should I ship international gifts?
From the US, by December 9 for most USPS international services, or December 16 for Priority Mail Express International.
What are the Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas 2026?
Royal Mail usually confirms them in November. Expect Second Class around December 17, First Class around December 19 and Special Delivery around December 22 or 23.
Does USPS deliver on Christmas Day?
No. USPS, UPS and FedEx do not deliver on Christmas Day, except for some Priority Mail Express items in limited areas.
Sources: US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, Royal Mail, ShipStation, Jolt Journal
