Ah, the holiday season—the time of year when everyone’s schedules are packed, and literally everything feels urgent. For small business owners, this is crunch time. Orders are flying in, you’re wrapping up year-end plans, and the last thing you want is to deal with angry emails about late packages. But fear not! We’ve got you covered with a complete rundown of holiday shipping deadlines, so your customers stay happy and your packages arrive right on time (cue the applause).
Here’s your no-stress guide to getting everything out the door before Santa makes his rounds:
Major Carrier Deadlines (a.k.a. Your Holiday Shipping Lifesaver)
Let’s cut to the chase—these are the key dates to tattoo on your brain (or stick on your fridge).
UPS:
- Ground: Send by December 15
- 3 Day Select: Send by December 19
- 2nd Day Air: Send by December 20
- Next Day Air: Send by December 23
USPS:
- Ground Advantage: Send by December 18
- First-Class Mail: Send by December 18
- Priority Mail: Send by December 19
- Priority Mail Express: Send by December 21
FedEx:
- Ground Economy: Send by December 13
- Ground: Send by December 17
- Home Delivery: Send by December 17
- Express Saver: Send by December 19
- 2Day Services: Send by December 20
- Overnight Services: Send by December 23
sendle:
- Saver: Send by December 17
- Preferred: Send by December 18
- 3 Day Guaranteed: Send by December 19
- 2 Day Guaranteed: Send by December 20
DHL Express:
- DHL Express Worldwide: Send by December 21
- DHL Domestic Express: Send by December 22
Canada Post (National Zone):
- Regular Parcel: Send by December 10
- Expedited Parcel or Flat Rate Box: Send by December 12
- Xpresspost: Send by December 20
- Priority: Send by December 20
Australia Post (USA):
- Economy Air Parcels, International Post Registered letters: Send by December 4
- Standard Parcels: Send by December 11
- Courier Parcels & Letters: Send by December 16
- Express Parcels & Letters: Send by December 16
Got that? Great! Now, let’s sprinkle in some insider tips to make this season smoother than Grandma’s eggnog.
How to Outsmart Holiday Shipping Chaos
- Ship Early (Like, Yesterday): We know you like to live on the edge, but trust us—the earlier, the better. Weather delays? Check. Overflowing carrier hubs? Double check. Don’t risk it.
- Use Tools to Save Time: Tools like Ordoro let you print shipping labels, compare rates, and schedule pickups without breaking a sweat. It’s like having an extra set of hands during the busiest time of the year.
- Communicate with Customers: Nobody likes surprises—except the good kind. Provide tracking info and set realistic expectations with clear deadlines.
- Plan for International Orders: Shipping to Canada or beyond? Check specific cutoff dates, as these vary depending on the country and service type.
The Ultimate Shipping Cheat Sheet
If you’re juggling holiday promotions, gift wrapping, and too much coffee, let us simplify things. Download our comprehensive holiday shipping sheet to get all the deadlines in one easy-to-read file.
Time to Sleigh the Holidays
Don’t let holiday shipping steal your joy (or your customers’). With these deadlines in hand and Ordoro in your corner, you’re all set to crush this season like the business boss you are.
Feeling buried under holiday chaos? 🎁 Don’t stress—our shipping experts are here to help. Book a free session and get personalized tips to streamline your holiday shipping game. Schedule your time now!
Happy shipping, y’all! 🎄