Holiday shipping deadlines 2026: the last days to ship for Christmas

Every December it’s the same story: a package that would’ve cost a few dollars to send in plenty of time suddenly needs overnight service to make it under the tree. The good news is the deadlines are predictable, and if you know them now, you can ship calmly and cheaply instead of paying a premium at the last minute. Here are the dates that matter for Christmas 2026, and how we help you hit them.

The dates to circle (lower 48 states)

Christmas falls on Friday, December 25, 2026, and all three carriers are closed that day. To arrive in time for the continental US, these are the last days to ship:

A good rule of thumb: for standard ground, aim for the week of December 14–16. Everything after that leans on faster, pricier service, and the closer you get to Christmas the fewer options you have.

These are the 2026 deadlines for the lower 48. Carriers occasionally adjust dates, and Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories need more lead time — always confirm on the carrier’s site (or ask us) before you rely on a date.

Shipping internationally? Go earlier — much earlier

International gifts need a big head start. Depending on the destination and service, international deadlines typically land in early December, and customs can add unpredictable delays on top. If something’s crossing a border, treat the first week of December as your target and don’t count on express to rescue a late start.

Don’t wait for the deadline — the deadline is the rush

Here’s the thing about cutoff dates: everyone else is watching the same ones. The lines get long, the express slots fill up, and a package that slips one day past a deadline can jump a full price tier. The cheapest holiday shipping is the shipping you do early — a week before the cutoff, not the morning of.

That’s also when packing matters most. Because carriers charge on dimensional weight, an oversized box full of air quietly inflates your cost. Our professional packing right-sizes the box and pads it properly — cheaper and safer for anything fragile heading across the country.

One stop for every carrier

Instead of guessing which carrier is fastest or cheapest for a given gift, bring it in and we’ll weigh it, measure it, and compare USPS, UPS, and FedEx side by side so you can see the trade-off between a couple of dollars and a day. We’re an authorized drop-off for all of them, so once you choose, you hand it over right here — no separate trips to three different counters in December traffic.

Already have a labeled, prepaid package — a return, an online sale, a gift going to family? Just drop it off during store hours and we’ll get it moving.

Come in before the rush

No appointment needed — walk in during business hours:

• Monday–Friday: 9am – 6pm
• Saturday: 10am – 5pm
• Sunday: closed

We’re at Cochrane Plaza and Tennant Station in Morgan Hill, and on Branham Lane in San Jose. Bring your gifts in early, and we’ll make sure they land on time.

Explore our shipping services or find the nearest store.