News
News

Still need to ship Christmas gifts? Here are the last deadlines

A mail carrier loads a truck for delivery at a United States post office. (TNS)

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

A mail carrier loads a truck for delivery at a United States post office. (TNS)
By
Updated Dec 18, 2023

While Santa Claus might not have to worry about getting gifts to their destination in time for Christmas, the rest of us are likely relying on carriers like the U.S. Postal Service.

The USPS this week is reminding its customers that Monday, Dec. 18., is the last day to mail gifts through priority mail to have them arrive by Christmas Day.

The other two largest domestic shipping companies, FedEx and UPS, are also pointing to their 2023 holiday shipping procedures as Christmas approaches.

The deadline for 3-day ground shipping through FedEx is Tuesday, Dec. 19, according to the carrier’s website. While UPS doesn’t have a formal deadline for holiday delivery, it recommends shipping packages out by Tuesday.

The USPS deadline for Priority Mail Express is Wednesday, Dec. 20. While customers can still drop gifts in the mail, delays should be expected. The Postal Service announced in October that it would not have a demand surcharge this holiday season to offer “increased predictability in pricing for customers.”

Hope isn’t lost for those unable to make it to a post office right away. Some retailers offer expedited shipping options that may help with those last-minute gift deliveries, according to RetailMeNot.

ExploreStill shopping? 7 shop-local ideas for last-minute gifts

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

More Stories

Keep Reading

FILE - Postmaster General David Steiner speaks at an event marking the 250th anniversary of postal service's founding, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Credit: AP

Postmaster general says US Postal Service needs revenue growth, not just cuts

Postmaster General David Steiner says the U.S. Postal Service can't fix its finances through cuts alone

Airlines are optimistic about a quick recovery ahead of Thanksgiving once the FAA ends flight cuts

Airlines are optimistic they can resume normal operations within a few days once the government lifts its order to cut some flights at 40 busy airports

You can end a shutdown overnight — but you can’t reopen a government that fast

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be officially over, but getting everything back up and running won't happen all at once

The Latest

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones speaks during a Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia's Income Tax hearing at the Capitol in August.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

A.M. ATL: Feeling charitable

A.M. ATL: Boarded up

A.M. ATL: School work

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.