MEMPHIS, Tenn. — You may think it’s way too early to be considering shipping for Christmas, but when Rudolph shows up on the envelope, you know it’s time.
Mary Kyles doesn’t waste any time when it comes to getting her gifts mailed out.
“We want to kind of start early because we want to make sure that they get there when we need them to get there before Christmas,” said Kyles the day we met her at a Memphis Post Office.
If you want the same, you’d better follow Kyles’ approach and start planning now.
Every carrier posts the last day customers can ship something and have it arrive by December 25th.
Kyles told WREG her rule of thumb is, “Probably the 15th is really when I want to make sure that everything is out.”
Good thinking!
The clock is already ticking if you’re shipping overseas, and circle your calendars for the week of December 15th if you want to send your packages the cheapest route.
Important Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
United States Postal Service
- Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International
- Dec. 15 – Standard Post
- Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed
- Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail/Priority Mail (domestic)
- Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (domestic)
UPS
- Dec. 15-Ground
- Dec. 22-Two day
- Dec. 23-Next Day
- Dec. 24-UPS Express Critical
FedEx
- Dec. 17-Ground
- Dec. 22-Two Day
- Dec. 23-Overnight
- Dec. 25-Same Day
It’s also a good idea to sign up for weather alerts from your shipper and read money back guarantee policies carefully.
In addition, don’t forget to keep the same dates in mind when shopping online. After all, retailers use the same carriers too.
Get Free Shipping!
If you’re planning to shop online, don’t forget to take advantage of free shipping over the next few weeks. Free Shipping Day is Thursday, December 18th. More than 800 retailers are offering free shipping with no minimum purchase.
Here’s a link to another list of retailers from Rather-Be-Shopping offering free shipping throughout the holiday season.
