2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: USPS, FedEx, UPS important dates to remember

With the holidays right around the corner, you need to be sure to mail packages early to ensure on-time delivery.

Keep these essential 2025 shipping deadlines in mind from USPS, FedEx, and UPS to ensure your cards and gifts reach their destinations in time for Hanukkah (Dec. 14, 2025 – Dec. 22, 2025), Christmas (Dec. 25, 2025), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026), and other holidays.

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE (USPS) 2025 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES

For expected delivery before Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends the following send-by dates:

2025 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)

  • USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 17
  • First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20

2025 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories

  • USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 16
  • First-Class Mail: Dec. 17
  • Priority Mail: Dec. 18
  • Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20

For a complete list of suggested dates for customers sending packages to military or international addresses, the Postal Service recommends visiting the USPS holiday shipping page.

During the holiday season, customers should always plan to mail and ship packages early to ensure arrival by Dec. 25.

For tips on mailing and shipping preparation, ordering free shipping supplies, packaging guidelines (including restricted and prohibited item information), and Post Office location hours, visit usps.com or the USPS YouTube channel.

Information to help customers prepare for the busy holiday season can be found on the USPS Holiday Newsroom at usps.com/holidaynews.

FEDEX 2025 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES

2025 FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines (Scheduled Arrival by Dec 24) (online)

U.S. Domestic Parcel Services

  • FedEx SameDay: Wednesday, December 24.
  • FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, Extra Hours:1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • 1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx 2Day & FedEx 2Day AM:2 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • 2 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx Express Saver:Friday, December 19.Extended to Saturday, December 20 with an optional Saturday pickup (with a $16 per package surcharge).
  • Friday, December 19.
  • Extended to Saturday, December 20 with an optional Saturday pickup (with a $16 per package surcharge).
  • FedEx Ground:5 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.4 day transit: Thursday, December 18.3 day transit: Friday, December 19.2 day transit: Monday, December 22.1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • 5 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.
  • 4 day transit: Thursday, December 18.
  • 3 day transit: Friday, December 19.
  • 2 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • 1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx Home Delivery:5 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.4 day transit: Thursday, December 18.3 day transit: Friday, December 19.2 day transit: Monday, December 22.1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • 5 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.
  • 4 day transit: Thursday, December 18.
  • 3 day transit: Friday, December 19.
  • 2 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • 1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx Ground Economy: Monday, December 15.

U.S. Domestic Freight Services

Air Freight Services

  • FedEx 1Day Freight: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx 2Day Freight: Friday, December 19.
  • FedEx 3Day Freight: Thursday, December 18

LTL Freight Services

  • FedEx Freight Priority (inclusive of FedEx Freight Direct):5 day transit: Tuesday, December 16.4 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.3 day transit: Thursday, December 18.2 day transit: Friday, December 19.1 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • 5 day transit: Tuesday, December 16.
  • 4 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.
  • 3 day transit: Thursday, December 18.
  • 2 day transit: Friday, December 19.
  • 1 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx Freight® Economy (inclusive of FedEx Freight Direct):Thursday, December 11.
  • Thursday, December 11.

International Shipping Deadlines

U.S. to Canada 

  • FedEx International Next Flight: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx International First: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx International Priority: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx International Priority Distribution: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx International Economy: Friday, December 19.
  • FedEx International Connect Plus: Thursday, December 18.

FedEx Ground U.S. to Canada:

  • 7 day transit: Monday, December 15.
  • 6 day transit: Tuesday, December 16.
  • 5 day transit: Wednesday, December 17.
  • 4 day transit: Thursday, December 18.
  • 3 day transit: Friday, December 19.
  • 2 day transit: Monday, December 22.
  • 1 day transit: Tuesday, December 23.

U.S. to Mexico

  • FedEx International Next Flight: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx International First: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx International Priority: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx International Economy: Friday, December 19.
  • FedEx International Connect Plus: Thursday, December 18.

U.S. to Puerto Rico

  • FedEx International Next Flight: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx International First: Tuesday, December 23.
  • FedEx International Priority: Monday, December 22.
  • FedEx International Economy: Friday, December 19.

2025 FedEx Holiday Service Schedule (online)

Stay ahead this winter holiday season. Knowing our drop off and pickup operations schedule can help you offer a great customer experience and navigate closures.

Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 26

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx Office locations will have modified hours the day before the holiday, with some locations closing early.*
  • FedEx LTL freight modified shipping service.

Thursday, November 27

  • FedEx Custom Critical services are available.
  • All other operations and operations are unavailable.

Friday, November 28

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx LTL freight services are unavailable.

Saturday, November 29

  • Early on-call pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *

Christmas

Tuesday, December 23

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx LTL freight modified shipping service.1

Wednesday, December 24

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx LTL freight services are unavailable.
  • FedEx Office locations will have modified hours the day before the holiday, with some locations closing early.*

Thursday, December 25

  • FedEx Custom Critical services are available.
  • All other operations and operations are unavailable.

Friday, December 26

  • FedEx LTL freight modified shipping service.2
  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *

New Year's

Wednesday, December 31

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx LTL freight modified shipping service.2
  • FedEx Office locations will have modified hours the day before the holiday, with some locations closing early.

Thursday, January 1

  • FedEx Custom Critical services are available.
  • All other operations and operations are unavailable.

Friday, January 2

  • Early on-call and drop box pickups available in some areas for FedEx expedited parcel and air freight services.* *
  • FedEx LTL freight modified shipping service.1

* FedEx Office locations will have modified hours the day before the holiday, with some locations closing early. Please contact your local FedEx Office location for details: local.fedex.com/en/fxo-only 

** Expedited services include: FedEx SameDay®, FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, FedEx 2Day®, FedEx 2Day® AM.

1 On December 23, and January 2, FedEx Freight will be open with normal pickup and delivery operations and a modified linehaul schedule. Shipments picked up that are not moved will resume transit on the next normal operating day. For example, a one-day shipment picked up on December 23 will resume on December 29 and be delivered on December 30.

2 On December 26 and December 31, FedEx Freight will be open with only prearranged pickup and delivery shipments being made. Freight shipments picked up on December 26 will resume on December 29. For example, a one-day shipment picked up on December 26 will resume on December 29 and be delivered on December 30.

Note: A redelivery fee will be assessed for FedEx LTL freight shipments if delivery is attempted but unsuccessful due to customer closure, where FedEx was not previously notified. This is subject to the terms and conditions of The FXF 100 Series Rules Tariff. 

Note: When scheduling a FedEx LTL freight shipment on or around a holiday, including holidays not listed above (e.g., Mardi Gras, etc.), contact your local freight service center at 1.866.393.4585 for the most up-to-date information.

Note: The information shown here reflects our current operating schedules planned for these holiday periods. These dates are subject to change. Any updates will be posted on this page, so please check back as the date of the holiday approaches. 

Note: For information on our Money-Back Guarantee program, please refer to fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/money-back-guarantee.html. 

Note: Saturday residential delivery is available to the vast majority of U.S. destinations. Consult fedex.com/en-us/online/rating.html if you have questions about a specific destination.

Note: From Nov. 29 through Jan. 4, delivery commitment times will be extended by 90-minutes on select time-definite FedEx Expedited services:

 • U.S. Domestic: FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx 2Day® AM, FedEx First Overnight® Extra Hours, FedEx Priority Overnight® Extra Hours. 

• U.S. Inbound International: FedEx International First® , FedEx International Priority®,FedEx International PriorityDirectDistribution®, FedEx International Priority ® Express. 

• FedEx air freight commitment times will remain unchanged. 

• Notwithstanding the foregoing, any exceptions to the Money-Back Guarantee set forth in the FedEx Service Guide will continue to apply.

UPS 2025 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES

2025 UPS Holiday Season Recommended Last Days to Ship for Dec. 24 Delivery (online)

U.S. Domestic¹

  • UPS® Ground: Check ups.com/ctc for details.
  • UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 19.
  • UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 22.
  • UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 23.

U.S. to Canada¹

  • UPS Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details.
  • UPS Worldwide Expedited: Dec. 22.
  • UPS Worldwide Express: Dec. 23.

U.S. to Mexico¹

  • UPS Standard services (From the 48 contiguous states only): Check ups.com/ctc for details.
  • UPS Worldwide Expedited: Dec. 19.
  • UPS Worldwide Express: Dec. 22.

U.S. to Other Destinations

  • For last days to ship from the U.S. to other international destinations, please visit Calculate Time and Cost at ups.com/ctc.
  • ¹Shipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date. Check ups.com/ctc.

2025 UPS Holiday Service Schedule (online)

THANKSGIVING

Wednesday Nov. 26

  • Normal pickup and delivery service. All UPS Next Day Air packages picked up Nov. 26 will be scheduled for delivery on Friday, Nov. 28. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked up Nov. 26 will be scheduled for delivery on Monday, Dec. 1 (except those processed and labeled for delivery on Saturday, Nov. 29).

Thursday Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Day (UPS Holiday)

  • No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical service (provided by Marken) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.

Friday Nov. 28

  • Normal pickup and delivery service.

CHRISTMAS

Monday Dec. 22

  • Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air packages for delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 24. UPS 3 Day Select packages picked up Dec. 22 will be scheduled for delivery on Friday, Dec. 26.

Tuesday Dec. 23

  • Normal pickup and delivery service. This is the last day to ship UPS Next Day Air packages for delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 24 with a UPS On-Call Pickup service, a UPS Smart Pickup service, or other prearranged, scheduled pickup, or by tendering a shipment at a The UPS Store® location or a UPS Authorized Service Location.

Wednesday Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

  • Normal delivery service. Pickup service available only for Air and International Air packages if prearranged by Thursday, Dec. 18. UPS On-Call Pickup service is available for Air and International Air packages. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up today will be scheduled for delivery on Friday, Dec. 26.

Thursday Dec. 25 Christmas Day (UPS Holiday)

  • No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical service (provided by Marken) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.

Friday Dec. 26

  • Normal pickup and delivery service.

NEW YEAR'S

Monday Dec. 29

  • Normal pickup and delivery service.

Tuesday Dec. 30

  • Normal pickup and delivery service.

Wednesday Dec. 31 New Year's Eve

  • Delivery of UPS Air and International Air packages only. Pickup service available only for Air and International Air packages if prearranged by Friday, Dec. 26. UPS On-Call Pickup service is available for Air and International Air packages. UPS Next Day Air packages picked up today will be scheduled for delivery on Friday, Jan. 2.

Thursday Jan. 1 New Year's Day (UPS Holiday)

  • No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical service (provided by Marken) is available. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.

Friday Jan. 2

  • Normal UPS® pickup and delivery service.
  • References to "UPS Air and International Air® packages" include UPS Next Day Air Early, UPS Next Day Air®, UPS Next Day Air® Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Worldwide Express Plus®, UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Worldwide Saver, UPS Worldwide Expedited, and UPS Worldwide Express Freight services.
  • Visit ups.com for the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service. The information contained in this schedule and all Service Guarantees are subject to change.
  • Packages exceeding UPS weight or size limits are not accepted for transportation.
  • Shipments to certain destinations may require an earlier shipping date. Check ups.com/ctc for the most up-to-date transit times.

The Source: Information in this article comes from USPS, FedEx, UPS, and FOX 5 reporting.  

NewsVirginiaWashington, D.C.MarylandHolidays