Expand / Collapse search
☰

Holiday shipping deadlines: How to make sure packages arrive by Christmas

By and FOX 13 news staff
Updated  December 16, 2021 12:25pm EST
Holidays
FOX 13 News

2021 holiday shipping deadlines

Kellie Cowan reports

TAMPA, Fla. - If you're still getting your gifts together to ship to family and friends, time is running out to have them arrive on time – but you're not out of luck just yet. 

While the ground shipping deadline has passed, you still have plenty of options, but the clock is ticking to get those packages and letters in the mail so that they can arrive before Dec. 25.

"The earlier you send, the better: Don’t delay, mail and ship today," the postal service says.

READ: Viral gift wrapping hacks for this holiday season

Here are the key dates to keep in mind:

  • Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
  • Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
  • Dec. 18 — Priority Mail service
  • Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

Alaska to/from Continental U.S.

  • Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 18 — Priority Mail
  • Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express

Hawaii to/from mainland

  • Dec. 17 — Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express

The benefits of having a 'holiday brain'

If you're the kind of person who likes to jumpstart your holiday decorating -- or even keep a tree up all year, that love of the holidays does a lot of good, experts say.

For information about sending packages to military or diplomatic posts abroad, increased holiday shipping charges, and shipping packages from home, visit https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm.

Note from USPS: *Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25.