After years of pandemic-related supply chain issues, holiday packages should be moving smoothly this year.
“You’ll have a better experience than in previous years,” says Vaughn Moore, executive chairman and CEO of AIT Worldwide Logistics.
Gone are the backlogs at U.S. ports and worker shortages that resulted in late deliveries in the past. While there can always be hiccups, consumers can feel confident that the shipping times quoted to them now are accurate.
Still, you’ll want to place retail orders and mail packages before carrier deadlines to ensure delivery by the holidays. Avoid heartbreak on Christmas morning by knowing your shipping options and when items need to get in the mail.
[Why You Should Start Your Holiday Shopping Early This Year]
Shipping Deadlines for Major Carriers
Consumers who need to mail holiday packages can choose from several shipping companies. In most cases, both standard and expedited delivery services are available.
There should be enough air capacity to manage holiday packages in need of delivery, according to Todd Pigeon, vice president of sales at PayCargo, a logistics payment platform. He notes that shipping companies operate dedicated fleets of airplanes and may contract with commercial carriers to transport packages as well.
United States Postal Service
Despite competition from shipping companies, the USPS remains a popular choice for package deliveries.
“Thanks to the Delivering for America plan, we will be the most affordable way to ship and mail holiday cheer this year,” said Postmaster General and USPS CEO Louis DeJoy in a press release.
The Delivering for America plan is a 10-year plan intended to foster financial stability for the organization and predictable service for customers.
To ensure packages arrive before December 25, the USPS recommends mailing by the following dates, depending on the service used:
— USPS Ground Advantage Service:
— Dec. 16 for five-day shipping.
— Dec. 18 for four-day shipping.
— Dec. 19 for three-day shipping.
— Dec. 20 for two-day shipping.
— First-Class Mail Service
— Dec. 16 for five-day shipping.
— Dec. 18 for four-day shipping.
— Dec. 19 for three-day shipping.
— Dec. 20 for two-day shipping.
— Priority Mail Service:
— Dec. 20 for three-day shipping.
— Dec. 21 for two-day shipping.
— Priority Mail Express Service:
— Dec. 20 for two-day shipping.
— Dec. 21 for one-day shipping.
If you’ll be shipping from the contiguous states to Alaska, mail sent via USPS Ground Advantage Service should be shipped by Dec. 16, while Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express packages can be sent as late as Dec. 20. Packages to Hawaii should be mailed by Dec. 16 with USPS Ground Advantage Service, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 20 for Priority Mail Express.
While Priority Mail Express gives consumers extra days to get gifts in the mail, it comes at a cost. USPS Ground Advantage Service can be as cheap as $4.75, but Priority Mail Express has a starting rate of $28.75.
FedEx
Delivery company FedEx offers more than a dozen shipping options, ranging from ground delivery that can take up to seven days for arrival within the United States to same-day service that is available across all 50 states.
The following are holiday shipping deadlines for some of FedEx’s service options.
— FedEx Ground Economy: Dec. 13
— FedEx Ground:
— Dec. 15 for five-day shipping.
— Dec. 18 for four-day shipping.
— Dec. 19 for three-day shipping.
— Dec. 20 for two-day shipping.
— Dec. 21 for one-day shipping.
— FedEx Express Saver: Dec. 19.
— FedEx 2Day: Dec. 20.
— FedEx SameDay: Dec. 22.
You’ll pay a premium to use an expedited service. Sending a 1-lb. package from New York City to Los Angeles is currently priced at $13.54 for FedEx Ground. But if you want that package delivered by 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, it will cost $154.15 for FedEx First Overnight delivery. If delivery can wait 12 hours, the price drops to $104.19 for FedEx Standard Overnight.
United Parcel Service
UPS, known for its signature boxy brown trucks, is another popular shipping carrier. The company won’t be making any regular deliveries on Christmas Day, so you’ll want to adhere to the following deadlines to ensure packages arrive by Dec. 23.
— UPS Ground: Varies by location.
— UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 19.
— UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20.
— UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 21.
Shipping rates depend on the size of the package, destination and service selected. Ground rates for a small package shipped within the contiguous 48 states start at $11.76 for UPS Ground service and go up to $65 for UPS Next Day Air Early.
For shipments to Alaska and Hawaii, rates for a small package start at $51.70 for Ground service or $55.70 for 2nd Day Air for destinations in metro areas, or $66.50 and $83.05, respectively, for addresses in remote areas.
DHL Express
Although able to ship packages domestically, DHL Express specializes in door-to-door international deliveries made to and from the U.S. The company’s quick express service can deliver to 220 countries and territories, with packages arriving within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the destination.
Shipping Deadlines for Major Retailers
Some customers aren’t as worried about sending packages as they are about receiving them in time for the holidays. For items that are in stock, retailers aren’t expected to have trouble sticking to their promised delivery time frames this year.
Walmart
Walmart shoppers have access to free shipping for online orders of at least $35. Purchases of less than that amount incur a shipping charge of $6.99. Depending on the item and your location, shipments may be made via UPS or FedEx, and many items can be delivered in two days.
There is also an Express Delivery option to have items delivered from a local store in as little as an hour. This service may not be available in all areas and costs $10 plus a $9.95 delivery fee. Some shipping and delivery fees may be waived for Walmart+ members.
Many items sold on Walmart’s website come from the third-party sellers, and whether those goods are shipped by Walmart or the third party could impact delivery times.
Target
Customers buying holiday gifts from Target.com this year should plan on a standard shipping time of three to five days. Some items are also eligible for two-day shipping, and if you preorder a product, there is an express delivery option for delivery within one business day.
Shipping is free for customers paying with a Target RedCard or making a qualifying purchase of at least $35.
The Home Depot
Purchases of at least $45 are eligible for free standard shipping from The Home Depot. Customers should allow three-to-five business days for parcel ground delivery in addition to order processing time, according to the company’s website. There are also 158,000 items that can be shipped for free to Alaska and Hawaii.
Many products are eligible for two-day shipping. Customers should check their account for order status and expected delivery date. Free curbside or store pickup is also an option at The Home Depot, although you won’t be able to pick up items on Christmas day.
[READ: Things to Buy Early This Holiday Season.]
Amazon
With its own fleet of aircraft and delivery trucks, online retailer Amazon appears to be uniquely positioned to ensure packages arrive on time during the holiday season. The company offers the following delivery options in the contiguous United States:
— Standard delivery in four to five business days.
— Two-day shipping.
— One-day shipping.
— Same-day shipping.
One-day and same-day shipping may be limited to certain areas, and both one- and two-day shipping reflect business days, not calendar days. For deliveries to Alaska and Hawaii, expect purchases to take three to seven days for standard shipping, two to five days for expedited shipping and one to four days for priority shipping.
Many items sold on Amazon come from third parties which may have different shipping timelines. For instance, a product may be advertised as two-day delivery, but it might not ship immediately. Be sure to carefully review the delivery timelines on the checkout page before finalizing your purchase.
Macy’s
From Nov. 16 to Dec. 21, Macy’s offers free shipping to all customers in the contiguous U.S. for purchases of $25 or more. Macy’s Star Rewards Platinum and Gold members get free shipping year-round with no minimum.
Standard shipping takes three to six days, while express delivery can have items to your doorstep on the following day. The cost for express shipping is $15 for orders of at least $25 and $25.95 on purchases less than that.
Etsy and eBay
Etsy and eBay are popular marketplaces for individuals and businesses to sell unique or handcrafted goods. Since each seller has their own procedure for packaging and mailing orders, there is no standard shipment time, although Etsy does define prompt shipping as an item being mailed within 30 days of its purchase.
Anyone buying holiday gifts from these sites should review the processing and shipping time listed by the seller to ensure a package will arrive promptly. Be aware that some items from overseas sellers could have long delivery times even if they are shipped immediately.
Of course, deliveries from any retailer could be delayed by adverse weather, natural disasters or other events. So before you get too comfortable with the idea of last-minute shopping and shipping this year, consider that earlier is usually better.
More from U.S. News
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Holiday Shipping Deadlines: Ensure Your Gifts Arrive on Time originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 11/29/23: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
