Avoid the rush: When to ship packages so they arrive by the holidays

November is here, and if you’re planning to mail holiday gifts this year, it’s almost crunch time.

Shipping carriers are reminding customers in Northeast Ohio to get packages in the mail sooner rather than later, or risk them showing up after Christmas.

The U.S. Postal Service, UPS and FedEx have all released their 2025 holiday shipping deadlines, and most fall in mid-to-late December for domestic deliveries. That means waiting until the week before Christmas could be too late.

Here's a look at the different shipping deadlines this holiday season:

USPS shipping deadlines

For the contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 states)

Dec. 17 : USPS Ground Advantage and First Class Mail.

Dec. 19 : Priority Mail.

Dec. 23 : Priority Mail Express.

For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories

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