If you're shipping gifts for the holidays, don't wait too long to send them, or they may not arrive in time, even with expedited shipping. The U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx all have announced earlier deadlines for Christmas 2018 than they had last year.
Here are the key dates to remember for those major shipping services, as well as some popular retail sites, for delivery on Monday, Dec. 24. (These deadlines apply within the contiguous United States and are typically earlier for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and military bases.)
FedEx
- Monday, Dec. 17, for FedEx Ground and Home Delivery
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for FedEx Express Saver
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for FedEx 2Day and 2Day A.M.
- Friday, Dec. 21, for FedEx First Overnight and Priority Overnight (additional $16 fee for Saturday delivery)
- Tuesday, Dec. 25, for FedEx SameDay
UPS
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, for UPS 3 Day Select
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for UPS 2nd Day Air
- Friday, Dec. 21, for UPS Next Day Air
U.S. Postal Service
- Friday, Dec. 14, for retail ground
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for first-class mail and Priority Mail
- Saturday, Dec. 22, for Priority Mail Express
Amazon
- Friday, Dec. 14, for Free Shipping by Amazon
- Friday, Dec. 21, for 1- and 2-day shipping
- Monday, Dec. 24, by 9:30 a.m. local time for same-day delivery and by 9:30 p.m. local time for 2-hour delivery with Prime Now (in select cities)
American Girl
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for standard shipping
Barnes & Noble
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, for standard shipping
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for express shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, for expedited shipping
Cabela's
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, for standard express
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for guaranteed express
- Friday, Dec. 21, for overnight air express
Dell
Final day of delivery is Wednesday, Dec. 21. Orders must be placed by 3 p.m. EST
- Monday, Dec. 17, for standard delivery
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for expedited delivery
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for express delivery
Dillard's
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for regular delivery
- Friday, Dec. 21, for express delivery
Finish Line
- Monday, Dec. 17, by 11:59 a.m. EST for economy shipping
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, by 11:59 a.m. EST for ground shipping
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by 11:59 a.m. EST for rush shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 11:59 a.m. EST for express shipping
GameStop
- Thursday, Dec. 13, for value saver shipping
- Sunday, Dec. 16, for ground shipping
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for two-day delivery
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for one-day delivery
Harry & David
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, for standard shipping
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for three-day delivery
- Thursday, Dec. 20, for two-day delivery
- Saturday, Dec. 22, for next-day shipping
Kmart
- Sunday, Dec. 16, by 11:59 p.m. CST for free standard shipping ($59 minimum)
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 4 p.m. CST for premium shipping
L.L. Bean
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by midnight EST for holiday wreaths and centerpieces
- Friday, Dec. 21, by noon EST for free standard and express shipping ($50 minimum)
Macy's
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by 5 p.m. EST for standard, premium shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by noon EST for express shipping
- Monday, Dec. 24, by 10 a.m. local time for same-day delivery, noon for in-store pickup
Nordstrom
All orders must be placed by noon EST.
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, for free standard shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, for expedited shipping
- Saturday, Dec. 22, for next-business-day shipping
Pottery Barn
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, by 9 p.m. PST for standard shipping of monogrammed items
- Wednesday, Dec. 19, by 11:59 p.m. PST for standard shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 6 p.m. PST for next-day shipping
REI
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by 9 a.m. PST for standard, two-day shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 9 a.m. PST for next-day shipping
Sears
- Sunday, Dec. 16, by 11:59 p.m. CST for free standard shipping ($59 minimum)
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 4 p.m. CST for premium shipping
Target
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by noon local time for free 2-day shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, for express shipping
West Elm
- Tuesday, Dec. 18, by 9 p.m. PST for standard shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 6 p.m. PST for next-day shipping
Williams Sonoma
- Thursday, Dec. 20, by 3 a.m. EST for standard shipping
- Friday, Dec. 21, by 9 p.m. EST for express shipping
