UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service announced shipping deadlines for all customers seeking to ensure products are delivered ahead of Christmas.
As another unconventional peak season approaches, carriers and shippers have been working on strategies to help prepare for the possibility of elevated volumes. As part of that planning, parcel carriers set annual schedules to help shippers prepare for timely holiday deliveries.
While each carrier has various deadlines for their myriad services, most deadlines fall before Dec. 20. Meanwhile, the latest day to ship a product is Dec. 22, using specific FedEx or UPS service options.
Read on for more details on each carrier's deadlines and guidelines
FedEx
To ensure that products arrive on or before Dec. 24, FedEx is advising Ground and Freight goods to be shipped by Dec. 15 for 5-day shipping. At the very latest, packages can be shipped by Dec. 22 using FedEx's SameDay or Home Delivery services.
For shippers looking to deliver packages to Canada, the last day to ship is between Dec. 18 and Dec. 22. The deadline for shipments from the U.S. to Mexico is between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. See the full schedule.
UPS
UPS' deadlines focus on ensuring deliveries by Dec. 23, as the parcel carrier will not operate any pickup or delivery services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The carrier recommends sending packages by Dec. 19 using Ground Shipping, or Dec. 22 at the very latest via its UPS Next Day Air service with Saturday delivery enabled. For shipments from the U.S. to Canada or Mexico, shippers must send packages by Dec. 19.
According to the holiday schedule, the parcel carrier will also not operate any pickup or delivery service on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Nov. 23 this year, nor on New Year's Day. See the full schedule.
U.S. Postal Service
USPS is advising shippers to leverage a new shipping option this year: Ground Advantage. The carrier said the service is a “reliable and affordable” option to ship packages for a delivery of two to five business days, based on distance.
The Postal Service said shippers can send domestic packages no later than Dec. 16 via Ground Advantage, or by Dec. 20 through the carrier’s Priority Mail Express service.
Shipping deadlines for international mail vary depending on the destination. See the full schedule.
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