Holiday Shipping Deadlines for 2022

These are the recommended send-by dates for domestic mail to better ensure delivery before Dec. 25.

• Dec. 17: Last day for USPS Retail Ground Service.
• Dec. 17: Last day for First-Class Mail Service.
• Dec. 19: Last day for Priority Mail Service.
• Dec. 23: Last day for Priority Mail Express Service.

For shipping within the U.S.:

• Dec. 14: Last day to ship via FedEx Ground (U.S.) and FedEx Home Delivery.
• Dec. 20: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver.
• Dec. 21: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
• Dec. 22: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight (a $16 per package surcharge).
• Dec. 23: Last day to ship via FedEx Same Day.

For shipping within the U.S.:

• Dec. 20: Last day to ship UPS 3-Day Select for delivery Friday, Dec. 23.
• Dec. 21: Last day to ship UPS 2nd-Day Air packages for delivery Friday, Dec. 23.
• Dec. 22: Last day to ship UPS Next Day Air for delivery Friday, Dec. 23.

Shipping deadlines for items purchased from Amazon can vary depending on the product selected. You should check the delivery window closely before completing your purchase to see whether it will arrive in time. Prime members can take advantage of free one- and two-day shipping. Same-day delivery is free for qualifying orders over $25 in certain cities or for $2.99 per order elsewhere—but isn’t available on Dec. 25. Check Amazon’s site for more info.

You’ll find similar ordering and holiday gift-shipping deadline information for most major retailers online. Some examples:

Best Buy
Best Buy offers free next-day shipping on “thousands of items” available on its website, including major appliances and large TVs (51 inches and larger). The $35 minimum order amount is waived for members of its My Best Buy Elite and Elite Plus member programs.

Shoppers also have a 1-hour in-store pickup option for online orders. And some locations have contactless curbside pickup so that customers don’t even have to get out of their car.

See Best Buy’s shipping costs and timing page for more information regarding limitations and exceptions.

Home Depot
The chain offers free two-day shipping on “thousands of in-demand home improvement items,” as well as free in-store pickup. See Home Depot’s online ordering and shipping page for information about exclusions and limitations.

The home improvement store also offers same-day and next-day deliveries of certain items. Again, check Home Depot’s Delivery Services page for costs and other limitations.

Target
Target offers free same-day delivery on orders of at least $35 if new online shoppers sign up for and use Shipt, a membership plan that’s free for the first four weeks. (The annual membership cost after the trial period is $99 for unlimited orders of $35 and more. Or shoppers can pay a delivery charge for same-day delivery.)

You can also get free two-day delivery with a minimum order of $35 or if you use a Target REDcard. You’ll need to place orders by Dec. 21 for a Dec. 23 arrival.

Target also offers online shoppers in-store and curbside pickup.

Walmart
Walmart+ members can take advantage of free shipping with no order minimum, including next-day, two-day, and standard delivery. This doesn’t include oversized and freight items, or third-party sellers not shipped by Walmart. If you’re not a member, Walmart advises placing orders by 2 p.m. on Dec. 21 for delivery through FedEx or UPS.

And like Target, you can also choose curbside pickup or home delivery through Dec. 24. For home delivery, you’ll have to order by 2 p.m. on Dec. 24, and there’s no guarantee that time slots will still be available.