Christmas might still seem far away, but if you’re sending packages to loved ones and want those parcels to arrive before Dec. 25, the deadline is fast approaching.
There’s still time to take advantage of the cheapest option—ground delivery—but you’ll need to do so before the end of the week with two of the biggest shipping services. And if you haven’t got a package out of the door by Dec. 21, forget about it arriving before Christmas.
Hoping to order something online and have it arrive before the 25th? That’s a trickier situation. In some cases, the deadline for free or standard shipping has already passed. And the expedited shipping deadline is a week or less away.
Here’s a look at the dates you need to know whether you’re sending packages or hoping to receive them.
USPS shipping deadlines
USPS Retail Ground – Dec. 16
First-Class Mail – Dec. 16
Priority Mail – Dec. 20
FedEx shipping deadlines
FedEx Ground (five-day) – Dec. 15
FedEx Express Saver – Dec. 19
FedEx SameDay – Dec. 22
UPS shipping deadlines
UPS 3 Day Select – Dec. 19
UPS 2nd Day Air – Dec. 20
UPS Next Day Air – Dec. 21
Retail shipping deadlines for 2023
Amazon
Standard shipping – varies
Expedited shipping – Dec. 23 for one-day delivery, Dec. 24 for same-day delivery
Barnes & Noble
Standard shipping – Dec. 17 by noon ET
Expedited shipping – Dec. 20 by 11:59 a.m. ET
Best Buy
Standard shipping – Dec. 20 by 10:30 CT
Expedited shipping – Dec. 24 by noon for same-day pickup
Dell
Standard shipping – Dec. 15 by 2:00 p.m. ET
Expedited shipping – Dec. 21 by 2:00 p.m. ET
Home Depot
Standard shipping – Dec. 16
Expedited shipping – Dec. 16
Kohl’s
Standard shipping – Dec. 19 by 1:00 p.m. CT
Expedited shipping – Dec. 20 by 1:00 p.m. CT
Macy’s
Standard shipping – Dec. 21 by 5:00 p.m. ET
Expedited shipping – Dec. 22 by noon ET
Old Navy
Standard shipping – Dec. 15
Expedited shipping – Dec. 22 by 1:00 p.m. ET
Target
Standard shipping – Dec. 22
Expedited shipping – Varies, check website
Walmart
Standard shipping – Dec. 20
Expedited shipping – Dec. 22