FreightPOP Blog

2021 Carrier Holiday Deadlines To Bookmark - FedEx, UPS, & USPS

Written by FreightPOP | Nov 1, 2021

As a heavy shipper, right now is the busiest time of year for you. And, of course, you are also facing unruly supply chains, making staying on top of carrier deadlines extra critical.

Traditionally, Black Friday is the official kick-off to the busy holiday shopping season. However, many global supply chain analysts recommend that holiday shoppers hoping to purchase gifts that will arrive before the holidays get an earlier start. According to a recently released poll conducted by the Morning Consult, 51% of consumers are following this advice and have already started checking items off their holiday shopping lists. 

To reach your fulfillment targets and position your organization for success, be sure to keep the main carrier holiday shipping schedules for FedEx, UPS, and USPS below in mind —and don't forget to keep your customers updated with the reality of logistics this year. A few emails and webpage messaging can go a long way in managing expectations and keeping customers happy.

 

FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines

These dates are the recommended last days to ship for delivery by Dec. 25 through FedEx.

FedEx U.S. to U.S. Shipping

Service

Cut Off Date 

FedEx SameDay® 

Friday, December 24

FO, PO, SO, Extra Hours

Thursday, December 23

2Day & 2Day AM

Wednesday, December 22

FedEx Express Saver® 

Tuesday, December 21

FedEx 1Day® Freight

Thursday, December 23

FedEx 2Day® Freight

Wednesday, December 22

FedEx 3Day® Freight

Tuesday, December 21

FedEx Ground® Contiguous US

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Ground® Alaska & Hawaii

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Home Delivery® Contiguous US

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Home Delivery® Alaska & Hawaii

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Ground® Economy

Thursday, December 9

FedEx Freight®

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Freight® Economy

Thursday, December 9

FedEx Freight® Direct

Wednesday, December 15

 

FedEx is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no pickup or delivery service on these days. FedEx Custom Critical® is available.

For more information, including international shipping deadlines, see the FedEx website.

UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

UPS is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no pickup or delivery service on these days. UPS Express Critical® is available. See the details on the UPS website.

UPS 2021 Holiday Deadlines 

UPS 3 Day Select® Tuesday, December 21
UPS 2nd Day Air® Wednesday, December 22
UPS Next Day Air® Thursday, December 23


Check here to view UPS' holiday shipping schedules.

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USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

USPS Holiday Shipping  

Service

Cut Off Date 

USPS Retail Ground®

Wednesday, December 15

First-Class Mail®

Friday, December 17

Priority Mail®

Saturday, December 18

Priority Mail Express® 

Thursday, December 23

First-Class Mail® (Alaska)

Saturday, December 18

Priority Mail® (Alaska)

Saturday, December 18

Priority Mail Express® (Alaska)

Tuesday, December 21

USPS Retail Ground® (Alaska) 

Thursday, December 2 

First-Class Mail® (Hawaii)

Friday, December 17

Priority Mail® (Hawaii)

Friday, December 17

Priority Mail Express® (Hawaii)

Tuesday, December 21

USPS Retail Ground® (Hawaii)

N/A

FedEx Ground® Alaska & Hawaii

Wednesday, December 15

FedEx Home Delivery® Contiguous US

Wednesday, December 15

 

More USPS holiday shipping information can be found here.


Q4 is Here - Are You Ready for the Holiday Season? 

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  • How separate and disconnected processes hold shippers back
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