Santa relies on Christmas cheer to deliver presents on time. Most retailers rely on major shipping carriers.
Lacking enchanted reindeer and flying sleighs, stores require sufficient time to deliver presents to your doorstep before Christmas. To ensure you receive your shiny toys, sleek electronics and fruitcakes on time, familiarize yourself with the 2016 holiday shipping deadlines for U.S. carriers and major retailers below. Delivery deadlines are typically applicable only to destinations within the 48 contiguous states.
[See: Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays.]
UPS Christmas Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day to ship via UPS 3 Day Select.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air. Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air with Saturday delivery option.
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Thursday, Dec. 15: Last day to ship via USPS Retail Ground.
— Tuesday, Dec. 20: Last day to ship via First-Class Mail Service.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via Priority Mail Service.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Last day to ship via Priority Mail Express Service.
[See: 14 Important Personal Finance Dates to Mark on Your Calendar.]
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Monday, Dec. 12: Last day to ship via FedEx SmartPost.
— Friday, Dec. 16: Last day to ship via FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground.
— Tuesday, Dec. 20: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight and FedEx First Overnight.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Last day to ship via FedEx SameDay City.
— Sunday, Dec. 25: Last day to ship via FedEx SameDay City (Priority) and FedEx SameDay.
Amazon.com Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Friday, Dec. 16: Last day to ship with free shipping for non-Prime members. Amazon Prime members receive free two-day shipping.
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day to ship via standard shipping.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via two-day shipping on qualifying orders.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Last day to ship via one-day shipping in select cities.
— Saturday, Dec. 24: Last day to ship via same-day delivery in select cities. Must place order before 9:30 a.m. local time.
[See: 8 Big Budgeting Blunders — and How to Fix Them.]
Wal-Mart Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Friday, Dec. 16: Last day to ship via value shipping.
— Tuesday, Dec. 20: Last day to ship via standard shipping.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via expedited shipping.
Nordstrom Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Thursday, Dec. 15: Last day for free standard shipping to P.O. boxes. Must order by 12 p.m. EST.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via two-day business shipping. Must order by 12 p.m. EST.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day for free standard shipping. Must order by 12 p.m. EST.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Last day to ship via $10 rush shipping on qualifying merchandise. Must order by 12 p.m. EST.
JCPenney Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Friday, Dec. 16: Last day to ship orders to a JCPenney store.
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day to ship via standard delivery.
— Tuesday, Dec. 20: Last day to ship via express two-day delivery.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via expedited one-day delivery. Must place order before 12 p.m. CST.
Bloomingdale’s Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via standard and premium delivery. Must order before 5 p.m. EST.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via express delivery. Must place order before 12 p.m. EST.
Target Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Target has yet to announce its official Christmas shipping cutoff dates. Dates below are estimated based on its available delivery options:
— Friday, Dec. 16: Estimated last day to ship via standard shipping.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Estimated last day to ship via premium shipping.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Estimated last day to ship via express shipping.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Estimated last day for rush delivery in select cities. Must order before 1:30 p.m. local time.
Target also offers a free holiday shipping option on qualifying orders for guaranteed delivery before the holidays.
Apple Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Apple has yet to announce its official Christmas shipping cutoff date. Dates below are estimated based on its available delivery options:
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Estimated last day to ship via free two-day shipping.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Estimated last day to ship via next-day shipping.
— Friday, Dec. 23: Estimated last day to ship via courier delivery.
Toys R Us Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day for free shipping with $19 purchase. Must place order by 11:59 p.m. EST.
–· Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via expedited shipping for orders placed by 3 p.m. EST. Last day to ship via express shipping for orders placed by 11:59 p.m.
Best Buy Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day for free shipping. Must place order before 10:30 a.m. CST.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Estimated last day to ship via one-day shipping.
Bed Bath & Beyond Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day to ship via standard delivery.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via expedited delivery.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via express delivery.
World Market Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Cutoff dates for delivery by Dec. 25, 2016:
— Monday, Dec. 12: Last day to ship via ground delivery for furniture, rugs and select items.
— Monday, Dec. 19: Last day to ship via ground delivery for all other merchandise.
— Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last day to ship via second-day delivery, excluding furniture, rugs and select items. Must place order by 6 a.m. PST.
— Thursday, Dec. 22: Last day to ship via overnight delivery, excluding furniture, rugs and select items. Must place order by 6 a.m. PST.
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Holiday Package Shipping Deadlines for 2016 originally appeared on usnews.com
