--- title: "2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for UPS, USPS, and FedEx" url: "https://www.stamps.com/article/2026-holiday-shipping-deadlines/" type: "post" modified: "2026-10-28T15:11:39+00:00" --- Holiday cutoffs apply to everything you send, from a certified court notice to a box of client gifts. Here are the 2026 last-ship dates for USPS, UPS, and FedEx, so you know exactly when to send. *Updated October 28, 2026. Use these dates to plan shipments, allow extra time where possible, and check each carrier’s delivery estimates for the specific origin, destination, and service.* UPS holiday shipping deadlines ------------------------------ **Domestic** UPS serviceLast day to shipUPS® GroundCheck ups.com/ctc for detailsUPS 3 Day Select®Dec. 21UPS 2nd Day Air®Dec. 22UPS Next Day Air®Dec. 23**International** UPS serviceU.S. to CanadaU.S. to MexicoUPS® Standard (from the 48 contiguous states only)Check ups.com/ctc for detailsCheck ups.com/ctc for detailsUPS Worldwide Expedited®Dec. 22Dec. 21UPS Worldwide Express®Dec. 23Dec. 22**Holiday pickup and delivery** DatePickupDeliveryNov. 26 (Thanksgiving)NoneNoneDec. 24No Ground pickup. Air and international Air only, if prearranged by Dec. 18All servicesDec. 25NoneNoneDec. 31Air and international Air only, if prearranged by Dec. 28Air and international Air only[More details on UPS deadlines](https://si.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-services/holiday-shipping-schedule) USPS holiday shipping deadlines ------------------------------- **Domestic** USPS serviceLower 48 statesAlaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territoriesUSPS Ground Advantage®Dec. 17Check estimated delivery date (10+ day service expectation)First-Class Mail®Dec. 17Dec. 17Priority Mail®Dec. 18Dec. 18Priority Mail Express®Dec. 19Dec. 19**International and Military** USPS serviceLast day to shipFirst-Class Package International Service®Dec. 9Priority Mail International®Dec. 9Priority Mail Express International®Dec. 16USPS Ground Advantage to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)Nov. 4First-Class Mail to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)Dec. 9Priority Mail to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)Dec. 9Priority Mail Express Military® to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO)Dec. 16[More details on USPS deadlines](https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0922-usps-recommends-2026-holiday-mailing-shipping-dates.htm) FedEx holiday shipping deadlines -------------------------------- **Domestic** FedEx serviceLast day to shipFedEx Ground® EconomyDec. 15FedEx Ground® and FedEx Home Delivery®, 5-day transitDec. 17FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery, 4-day transitDec. 18FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery, 3-day transitDec. 21FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery, 2-day transitDec. 22FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery, 1-day transitDec. 23FedEx Express Saver®Dec. 21FedEx 2Day® and FedEx 2Day® AMDec. 22FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, and Extra HoursDec. 23FedEx SameDay®Dec. 24FedEx 3Day® FreightDec. 21FedEx 2Day® FreightDec. 22FedEx 1Day® FreightDec. 23**International** FedEx serviceU.S. to CanadaU.S. to MexicoU.S. to Puerto RicoFedEx® International Next FlightDec. 23Dec. 22Dec. 23FedEx International First®Dec. 23Dec. 22Dec. 23FedEx International Priority®Dec. 23Dec. 22Dec. 23FedEx International Priority Distribution®Dec. 22N/AN/AFedEx International Economy®Dec. 21Dec. 21Dec. 22FedEx® International Connect PlusDec. 21Dec. 21N/AFedEx Ground® U.S. to Canada, 7-day transitDec. 15N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 6-day transitDec. 16N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 5-day transitDec. 17N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 4-day transitDec. 18N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 3-day transitDec. 19N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 2-day transitDec. 22N/AN/AFedEx Ground U.S. to Canada, 1-day transitDec. 23N/AN/A[More details on FedEx deadlines](https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/2026_Peak_Last_Day_to_ship.pdf) Build in a buffer ----------------- Carrier cutoffs are the last day to ship, not the day to aim for. Send a few days early when you can, especially for anything time-sensitive or legally required. If proof of delivery matters, add [Certified Mail](https://www.stamps.com/mail/certified-mail/) and tracking so you have a record. With Stamps.com, you print postage from your desk, any time of day, with discounted rates on USPS, UPS, and FedEx. No holiday line, no extra trip. [Start a free trial of Stamps.com](https://www.shipstation.com/start-a-free-trial/), and make this your smoothest holiday shipping season yet.