Every year, people are told to get their holiday shopping done and shipped early. But this year, in 2020, it might be a good idea to really do it. Shipping packages this year may take longer, as millions of Americans cut back on in-person shopping and in-person gift-giving as the coronavirus spikes across the country.
Some shipping services offer online or low contact methods, so people can avoid crowding into a storefront or post office at this time.
Here is a list of shipping deadlines based on method; go ahead and circle dates on the calendar, set reminders, etc.
United States Postal Service (USPS):
- Ground - Deadline: December 15
- First Class - Deadline: December 18
- Priority Mail - Deadline: December 19
- Priority Mail Express - Deadline: December 23
- FedEx SmartPost - Deadline: December 9 (with some exceptions)
- FedEx Ground - Deadline: December 15
- Home Delivery - Deadline: December 15
- Express Saver - Deadline: December 21
- 2Day Services - Deadline: December 22
- Overnight Services - Deadline: December 23
UPS:
- UPS Ground - Deadline: December 15
- 3 Day Select - Deadline: December 21
- 2nd Day Air Services - Deadline: December 22
- Next Day Air Services - December 23
Amazon (estimates based on last year’s deadlines):
- Standard shipping - Deadline: December 18
- Prime Free 2-day - Deadline: December 21
- Prime Free 1-day - Deadline: December 23
- Prime Same Day - Deadline: December 24
- Prime Now 2-Hour Delivery - Deadline: December 24
