Holiday Shipping Deadlines For Carriers Across US

The countdown to Christmas 2025 has begun — and so has the race to get your international orders delivered on time. 

Peak surcharges and tighter cutoffs start from October 2025 through Jan/Feb 2026. International deadlines start mid–late November (Africa, LATAM, parts of Asia) until Dec 5–12 for standard deliveries and Dec 18-23 for express deliveries. 

With carriers busier than ever, planning around holiday shipping deadlines from the US is essential for eCommerce brands, retailers, and logistics teams.

This guide covers international cut-offs by major couriers and includes execution strategies to keep your operations running smoothly through the peak season.

USPS Shipping Deadlines from the US

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented a temporary rate change across its major package tiers from October 2025 through mid-January 2026. 

These peak-season surcharges reflect rising freight and labour costs and signal that late shipping can erode margins fast. Documentation errors and customs delays remain a key weak point for international shipments.

USPS International Shipping Deadlines

While shipping internationally, there are specific deadlines that you need to keep in mind considering the customs, distance and overall time taken. 

Shipping USPS from the US to Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia/New Zealand

• First-Class Package International Service®: Tue, Dec 9
  
  
• Priority Mail International®: Tue, Dec 9
  
  
• Priority Mail Express International®: Tue, Dec 16
  
  

Shipping USPS from the US to Central & South America

• First-Class Package International Service®: Tue, Dec 2
  
  
• Priority Mail International®: Tue, Dec 2
  
  
• Priority Mail Express International®: Tue, Dec 16

Domestic USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines Excluding Alaska and Hawaii

For domestic shipping in the US, following are the recommended dates to ship to ensure that your packages reach the destination on or before Christmas.

Domestic USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, & U.S. Territories

Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico follows different deadlines because transit times are naturally longer than within the contiguous U.S. Their distance from the mainland and reliance on additional steps like air or sea transport mean deliveries simply take more time than standard domestic shipments.

USPS Tips for eCommerce Teams

• Build in a 2–3 day buffer for customs and weather-related delays.
  
  
• Complete, accurate documentation (HS codes, declared values, and item descriptions) is your fastest path through customs.
  
  
• USPS international shipping offers affordable options but relies heavily on local post networks abroad—early planning is key.

USPS courier can help you optimize your shipping operations. To help you know more, we have a detailed article on the USPS shipping schedule based on each courier and which one you should go for. 

UPS Shipping Deadlines from the US

The United Parcel Service (UPS) has updated its “Demand Period” surcharges in August 2025, which now run through January 2026 and apply to additional-handling, oversize, and service upgrades. These fees can ripple into cross-border lanes if your packaging isn’t optimized.

UPS International Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

Shipping UPS from the US to Canada/Mexico

• Standard and Ground: Transit times vary — ship early to accommodate customs clearance.
  
  
• Express services: Mid–late December cutoffs for Christmas delivery (varies by lane).

Domestic Shipping Schedule

UPS Tips for Merchants

• Opt for time-definite services for last-minute gift deliveries.
  
  
• Monitor peak season surcharges for large or heavy items.
  
  
• Confirm Saturday delivery options when shipping close to Christmas.

To know more about the UPS holiday shipping schedule, check out Easyship to have a detailed outline on timelines and cost estimates to make shipping easier during the busy holiday season. 

FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

The FedEx Corporation introduced higher “Demand Surcharges” in October 2025 for several package categories. These kick in early (late September) and affect oversized and heavy parcels, key if your catalog includes bulk holiday kits.

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FedEx International Holiday Shipping Deadlines 

The following holiday shipping deadlines are based on the FedEx holiday shipping schedule which gives shippers an idea to err on the side of caution during the busy holiday season. 

Shipping FedEx Parcels from the US to Canada & Mexico

• International Connect Plus: Thu, Dec 18
  
  
• International Economy®: Fri, Dec 19 (lane-dependent)
  
  
• International Priority®: Mon, Dec 22
  
  

Shipping FedEx Parcels from the US to Puerto Rico

• International Economy®: Fri, Dec 19
  
  
• International Priority® / International First®: Mon, Dec 22
  
  
• International Next Flight®: Tue, Dec 23
  
  

FedEx Domestic Holiday Shipping Deadlines

FedEx Tips for eCommerce Teams

• Verify drop-off deadlines at your nearest FedEx location; cutoffs vary by city.
  
  
• Review dimensional weight pricing to prevent unexpected cost spikes.
  
  
• Use tracking automation to keep customers informed during customs transitions.
  
  

DHL Express Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

The DHL Express network is applying a peak-season surcharge running from October 2025 through February 2026 on its global Express lanes. With one of the strongest international footprints, DHL’s terms highlight the importance of accuracy in customs documentation, especially for Asia-Pacific and Europe delivery zones.

International DHL Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

• Express Worldwide®: Thu, Dec 18 (lane-specific; ship earlier for remote destinations)

DHL Express Best Practices

• Provide recipient contact details and tax IDs for faster clearance.
  
  
• Choose Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) for seamless gift delivery with no surprise import fees.
  
  
• Leverage DHL’s strong cross-border expertise for Asia-Pacific and Europe lanes.
  
  

DHL eCommerce Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

The DHL eCommerce Solutions arm has published a full peak-surcharge schedule covering Oct 2025–Jan 2026, impacting both domestic and international parcel services. Expect longer hand-off times and late-holiday surcharges creeping into February.

Parcel International Direct

• Australia / New Zealand: Mon, Dec 8
  
  
• Canada / Netherlands / Mexico / Germany: Wed–Thu, Dec 11
  
  
• France / UK / Spain / Ireland / Italy / Japan: Tue–Fri, Dec 9–12
  
  
• Rest of EU: Mon, Dec 8
  
  
• Singapore: Wed, Dec 10
  
  
• South Korea: Mon, Dec 8
  
  
• Hong Kong: Wed, Dec 3
  
  

Parcel International Standard

• UK / Western Europe: Dec 5–10
  
  
• Australia / Canada / New Zealand / Japan / Thailand: Fri, Dec 5
  
  
• Latin America (Brazil/Mexico): Nov 20–21
  
  
• Africa: Fri, Nov 14

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DHL eCommerce Shipping Insights

• Hand-offs to local postal services increase variability — plan 1 week of buffer.
  
  
• Always enable end-to-end tracking for international gifts.
  
  
• Factor in regional holidays that can slow last-mile deliveries.

Confused whether FedEx is good for you or DHL will help you get the right deal? In this Easyship blog, we have highlighted the difference between FedEx and DHL to help you make the right shipping choices. 

Asendia International Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the US

The Asendia platform maintains constantly updated service-alerts for varying shipping lanes and local holiday closures. Its 2025 pricing incorporates duty-paid options, encouraging cross-border shipments with fewer surprises.

ePAQ Select / Country Tracked / Fully Tracked

• Canada, UK, AU/NZ, Europe, Asia, Middle East: Fri, Dec 5
  
  
• Mexico, Brazil, Rest of Latin America, Africa: Fri, Nov 28
  
  

Asendia Tips

• Choose Tracked Duties Paid options to minimize customs friction.
  
  
• Use transparent tracking and full documentation for stress-free international gifting.
  
  

How Can eCommerce Businesses Prepare Themself For The Holiday Season?

Preparing for the holiday season is about precision, not panic. Follow these six steps to execute efficiently under peak pressure and make the most of holiday shipping deadlines from the US.

1. Build a Multi-Carrier Strategy

Don’t rely on one courier network. Combine express, expedited, and economy services to balance cost and coverage. Use multi-carrier platforms like Easyship to compare real-time rates and timelines on a single dashboard.

2. Publish Clear Storefront Cut-Offs

Turn carrier deadlines into customer-facing order-by dates. Factor in:

• Pick/pack SLAs
  
  
• Daily pickup times
  
  
• A 1–2 day weather buffer
  
  

Example: If your last USPS Priority Mail International ship date is Dec 9, and your fulfillment takes one day, publish Dec 7–8 as your order cut-off.

3. Pre-Position Inventory

Store best-selling SKUs closer to international hubs or border zones. This shortens transit times and reduces fulfillment costs for global customers.

4. Tighten Packaging & Compliance

Use sturdy boxes and clean labels. For international shipments, verify HS codes, declared values, and customs descriptions early. Don’t overlook hazmat or battery declarations — compliance mistakes can delay entire shipments.

5. Track, Communicate, Escalate

Enable proactive tracking and send notifications when orders cross borders or clear customs. If a shipment risks missing its SLA, upgrade it proactively and alert the customer.

6. Plan Buffers & Contingencies

Weather, customs, and volume surges are inevitable. Keep a reserve budget for shipping upgrades or goodwill credits — protecting customer loyalty pays off long term.

Shift Your Holiday Shipping Into High Gear with Easyship

Peak season success comes from early planning, clear communication, and flexible logistics. With Easyship, you can:

• Compare real-time rates across multiple international couriers
  
  
• Access discounted shipping rates up to 91% off
  
  
• Automate tax and duty calculations for every lane
  
  
• Offer customers transparent delivery timelines at checkout
  
  

Easyship makes managing holiday shipping deadlines from the US easier than ever — so your parcels arrive on time, every time.

Try Easyship for free today

Make 2025 your smoothest and most profitable holiday season yet.

FAQs

What is the cut-off date for Christmas shipping?
The exact cut-off date depends on the courier and destination. For international shipments from the U.S., many major couriers advise send-by dates ranging from early December to mid-December (e.g., some services require shipments by around Dec 9 or Dec 16) to ensure delivery by December 25.

Do holidays count as business days for shipping?
No — most U.S. federal holidays are not counted as business days for regular mail services. For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) observes federal holidays and does not perform normal delivery on those days.

Will mail be delivered on July 5th, 2025?
Yes — because the holiday for the U.S. is Independence Day on July 4th (Friday) in 2025, regular mail delivery resumes on Saturday, July 5. The USPS confirms July 4 is a holiday, and July 5 returns to normal service levels.

What is the cut-off date for shipping?
This depends heavily on which courier and what international destination you are shipping to. For international send-by dates from the U.S., these vary by region and service level — earlier for remote destinations and slower services, later for express services. In general, you should consult the specific courier’s deadline for your service and destination and plan earlier than that to allow for operations, customs and transit.

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