Tick, tick, tick… If you plan on ordering any holiday gifts online, better get to it.
Your time is a little more precious this year because Christmas is on a Monday this year which is forcing many retailers to close their shipping windows early and also makes Saturday and Sunday delivery problematic at best.
Thanks to our friends at BlackFriday.com, ConsumerAffairs brings our readers the ultimate reference on holiday shipping – at least for now. It’s always possible that some stores may change their deadlines later in the season, so make sure to keep checking Black Friday’s list for the most up-to-date deadlines and information.
FedEx, UPS, and USPS
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Dec. 15: FedEx Ground (five-day) deadline.
Dec. 19: FedEx Express Saver
Dec. 22: FedEx SameDay
UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Dec. 19: UPS 3 Day Select
Dec. 20: UPS 2nd Day Air
Dec. 21: UPS Next Day Air
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Dec. 16: USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 16: First-Class Mail
Dec. 20: Priority Mail
It’s important to note a few things about using USPS. One is that the percentage of First-Class Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard has decreased nearly 4% this quarter. This is even more reason to get your packages in the mail ASAP if it’s your carrier of choice.
The others are a connected quagmire that includes a shortage of mail carriers, especially in rural areas, combined with the service saying it has seen and will continue to experience a significant growth in package volume throughout the nation during this peak season period. Fewer people with more packages to carry is anything but comforting.
The big 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)
American Girl
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 11
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20
Apple Store
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Shipping deadline varies by item
Expedited shipping deadline: Shipping deadline varies by item. Expedited shipping fees vary based on weight
Barnes and Noble
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 17 by noon EST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 a.m. by 11:59 a.m. ET for expedited
Bass Pro Shops
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14
Expedited shipping deadline: Check website
Belk
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 18
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 for overnight (fees apply)
Best Buy
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 10:30 a.m. CST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 24 by noon local for same-day
Cabela’s
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 14
Costco
Free/Standard shipping deadline: See shipping estimate at checkout
Expedited shipping deadline: See shipping estimate at checkout
Dell
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15 by 2 p.m. EST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 2 p.m. EST (next-day)
Gap
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by 1 p.m. EST for priority shipping
Harry & David
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 18 for standard
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 for overnight (fees apply)
Home Depot
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 16
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 16
JCPenney
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
Expedited shipping deadline: See website for options
Kohl’s
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 19 by 1:00 p.m. CST (two-day shipping)
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 1:00 p.m. CST for one-day shipping (fees apply)
L.L.Bean
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 18 by midnight ET
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 18 by midnight ET
Lowe’s
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14
Expedited shipping deadline: Check website
Macy’s
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 5:00 p.m. EST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by noon EST for express
Old Navy
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 15
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 by 1 p.m. EST for priority shipping
Pottery Barn
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 19 by 06:00 a.m. PST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 20 by 11:00 p.m. PST for next-day shipping
Sam's Club
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 14
Expedited shipping deadline: Check the website
Sephora
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 19 by 6:00 a.m. EST
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 21 by 9:00 a.m. for one-day shipping (fees apply)
Target
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 22
Expedited shipping deadline: Check website
Walmart
Free/Standard shipping deadline: Dec. 20 for non-Walmart+ members
Expedited shipping deadline: Dec. 22 for next-day (Walmart+ members)