DENVER — The days to ship holiday packages and mail greeting cards before Christmas are shrinking.
The UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) have announced their shipping deadlines so mail, letters, cards and packages may be mailed out so they arrive in time for Christmas.
USPS said December is its busiest time of the year, especially the two weeks before Christmas. The deadline to mail holiday packages and greeting cards via the post office's First Class Mail is Wednesday, Dec. 18.
UPS has set Thursday, Dec. 19, as its deadline date for 3-Day Select shipping.
The last day for FedEx 5-Day Ground and Home Delivery is Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Here are the major deadlines for delivery in time for Wednesday, Dec. 25:
USPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines
- USPS Ground Advantage: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- First Class Mail (including greeting cards): Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail: Thursday, Dec. 19
- Priority Mail Express: Saturday, Dec. 21
UPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines
- Last day for UPS Ground service: Check ups.com/ctc for details
- Last day for UPS 3-Day Select service: Thursday, Dec. 19
- Last day for UPS 2nd Day Air service: Friday, Dec. 20
- Last day for UPS Next Day Air service: Monday, Dec. 23
FedEx 2024 holiday shipping deadlines
- FedEx Ground Economy: Friday, Dec. 13
- FedEx Ground 5-Day: Tuesday, Dec. 15
- FedEx Express Saver: Thursday, Dec. 19
- FedEx 3Day Freight: Thursday, Dec. 19
- FedEx 2Day: Friday, Dec. 20
- FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours: Monday, Dec. 23
- FedEx SameDay: Tuesday, Dec. 24
USPS holiday shipping tips
- Use free Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes at usps.com/freeboxes
- Use Click-N-Ship at usps.com/ship
- Schedule a free Package Pickup at usps.com/pickup
- Mail and packages that weigh more than 10 ounces and/or are more than a half-inch thick using stamps or take them to a window clerk at a USPS post office location.