October 11, 2021
FedEx, Postal Service Release Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The holiday shipping season is set to intensify.
It’s not yet Halloween, but holiday season crunch time has begun for retailers, shippers and the promotional products industry.
The latest evidence of that comes from the United States Postal Service and shipping giant FedEx Corp., both of which have released deadlines for getting packages to intended recipients before Dec. 25.
Last year, domestic carriers experienced backlogs and delays as a huge surge in e-commerce spending and virtual holiday visits had more packages traveling through the shippers.
Distributors, are you worried about inventory and prompt customer service during the Q4 crush? @ChrisR_ASI talks to leading #promoproducts suppliers and has the scoop on what to expect.https://t.co/WpvDDFFgLR
— C.J. Mittica (@CJ_ASIMedia) October 4, 2021
With stress on carriers expected to be heavy again, FedEx recommends shipping by the following dates:
Dec. 9 – FedEx Ground Economy & FedEx Freight Economy
Dec. 15 – FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight Priority & FedEx Freight Direct
Dec. 15 – Home Delivery
Dec. 21 – Express Saver
Dec. 22 – 2Day & 2Day AM & FedEx 2Day Freight
Dec. 23 – Overnight Services & FedEx 1Day Freight
Dec. 24 – FedEx Same Day
Meanwhile, the Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) addresses:
Nov. 6 – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 9 – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 15 – USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 16 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Dec. 17 – First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 17 – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 18 – Priority Mail service
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express* service
Alaska
Dec. 18 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– First-Class Mail
Dec. 18 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail
Dec. 21 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail Express
Hawaii
Dec. 17 – Hawaii to/from mainland--Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 – Hawaii to/from mainland--Priority Mail Express