Crunch time for holiday shopping & shipping, here are some deadlines you need to know
MIAMI - With the busy holiday shopping season, it's also a busy time for holiday shipping.
With that in mind, it's important for shoppers to know when to order or ship their gifts to ensure they arrive on time for the holidays.
To help shoppers prep, BlackFriday.com has created the ultimate reference on holiday shipping.
US Postal Service Holiday Shipping Deadlines
- Dec. 17: USPS Retail Ground.
- Dec. 17: First-Class Mail.
- Dec. 19: Priority Mail.
- Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express.
If you need to send a gift to a loved one stationed at a military base, plan to ship much earlier. Shipping deadlines, as provided by USPS (the only carrier authorized to deliver to bases), vary by the base's ZIP code.
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
- Ground: UPS isn't providing a cutoff for ground shipping - you'll need to get an estimate via UPS's website, and that estimate will vary depending on where you are and where you're shipping to.
- Dec. 20: UPS 3 Day Select.
- Dec. 21: UPS 2nd Day Air.
- Dec. 22: UPS Next Day Air.
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadline
- Dec. 14: FedEx Ground deadline.
- Dec. 20: FedEx Express Saver, FedEx three-day freight.
- Dec. 21: FedEx two-day, FedEx one-day freight.
- Options exist at the VERY last-minute, too
If you're buying gifts online and having them shipped to their recipients, here are the deadlines from some of the most popular retailers.
Amazon
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: See delivery estimate at checkout for free economy shipping and free two-day shipping.
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 23 for one-day delivery (free for Prime members, no minimum). Dec. 24 for same-day delivery (available in select areas)Barnes and Noble
Barnes and Noble
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 17 by noon
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 a.m. by 11:59 a.m. for expedited
Bath & Body Works
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 16 for Standard
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 for Expedited
Bed Bath & Beyond
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 19. for Standard
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 for Expedited; Dec. 22 for Express
Best Buy
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 10:30 a.m.
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 24 by noon local for same-day
Dell
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14 by 2 p.m. CT
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 2 p.m. CT (next-day)
Gap
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by 1 p.m. for priority shipping
Harry & David
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 18 for standard
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 for 3-Day Express; Dec. 21 for 2-Day Express; Dec. 22 for Overnight
Home Depot
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 16
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 16
JCPenney
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
- Expedited shipping deadline: See their website for options
Kohl's
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 19 by 1:00 p.m. CST
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 1:00 p.m. CST for one-day shipping (fees apply)
Lowe's
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14
- Expedited shipping deadline: Check their website
Macy's
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 5:00 p.m.
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by noon for express
Old Navy
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by 1 p.m. EST for priority shipping
Overstock
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Look for "Delivered by Christmas" icon
- Expedited shipping deadline: Look for "Delivered by Christmas" icon
Sephora
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 6:00 a.m.
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 6:00 a.m. for flash two-day
Target
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 22
- Expedited shipping deadline: Same-day delivery available, but slots may be limited on Dec. 24
Walmart
- Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 20 for non-Walmart+ members
- Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 for next-day (Walmart+ members)
