USPS and FedEx Release 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The United States Postal Service and FedEx Corporation have released their recommended shipping deadlines to ensure deliveries arrive by December 25, 2026. For the contiguous United States, the USPS recommends mailing Ground Advantage and First-Class items by December 17, Priority Mail by December 18, and Priority Mail Express by December 19. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories have a slightly earlier Ground Advantage deadline of December 16.

FedEx Corporation established domestic deadlines ranging from December 15 for Ground Economy to December 24 for SameDay service. Standard Ground and Home Delivery deadlines vary between December 17 and December 23 depending on transit time. The company also provided specific cutoff dates for shipments to Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Beyond delivery dates, the USPS filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to implement temporary price increases from October 4 to January 17, affecting Parcel Select and Priority Mail. The agency also noted that while its deadlines cover Christmas and Kwanzaa, customers should adjust shipping for Hanukkah, which occurs from December 4-12. Military mail deadlines begin as early as November 4 for Ground Advantage.

As of September 25, United Parcel Service has not yet released its holiday shipping deadlines for 2026.