The latest date you can order gifts to arrive on time in 2025

With the holiday season here, now’s the time to start thinking seriously about shipping deadlines, because nothing kills the festive spirit quite like a gift that arrives late.

Whether you’re ordering for family, friends or co-workers, knowing when to press “buy” can make all the difference. After analyzing domestic and international shipping, carrier differences and smart strategies to make sure your packages arrive on time, this is the all-in-one guide.

This year, the stakes are especially high. According to a recent DHL study of 300 U.S. e-commerce merchants, retailers are doubling down on speed and customer experience to meet soaring holiday demand. DHL Free delivery and easy returns remain top priorities: 52% of retailers say free shipping is their most effective way to drive conversion, while 86% believe that free returns or delivery boost sales.

Another interesting trend: nearly two-thirds of orders are being shipped domestically, underscoring how crucial reliable local logistics has become. That means delivery estimates may be more stable than in years past, but that also raises expectations — many businesses are leaning on AI-powered inventory updates and personalized recommendations to stay competitive.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 2025 holiday shipping calendar, highlight key deadlines for major carriers, and offer tips to navigate the last-minute rush. Let’s dive into what you need to know to ship smart — and shop smarter — this holiday season.

Please note that we can’t ensure packages will be delivered. New York Post Shopping cut out the research for you to report the most critical dates across major retailers and shipping services.

Amazon

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Free Shipping	Dec. 15	Dec. 23
Prime Two-Day Shipping	Dec. 22	Dec. 24
Prime One-Day Shipping	Dec. 23	Dec. 24
Prime Same-Day Delivery	Dec. 24	Dec. 24
Amazon eGift Card Delivery	Dec. 25	Dec. 25

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FedEx

Shipping Type	Deadline to Ship
Ground	Dec. 14
Express Saver	Dec. 20
2Day and 2Day AM	Dec. 21
First Overnight and Priority Overnight	Dec. 22
SameDay	Dec. 23

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USPS

Shipping Type	Deadline to Ship
USPS Retail Ground	Dec. 17
First-Class Mail	Dec. 17 (includes Alaska and Hawaii)
Priority Mail	Dec. 19
Priority Mail Express	Dec. 23

Note: the USPS holiday shipping deadlines do not include Alaska and Hawaii, except for First-Class Mail. Here are some deadlines, if any, for these two states:

• USPS Retail Ground: Dec. 2 for Alaska, no hard deadline for Hawaii
• Priority Mail: Dec. 17 for Alaska and Hawaii
• Priority Mail Express: Dec. 21 for Alaska and Hawaii

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UPS

Shipping Type	Deadline to Ship
Ground	User must check the UPS site; dependent on the region
3-Day Select	Dec. 20
2nd Day Air	Dec. 21
Next Day Air	Dec. 22

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Best Buy

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Standard Delivery	Dec. 16	Dec. 23
Next-Day Delivery	Dec. 22	Dec. 23

Note: Best Buy can guarantee delivery if the item appears to be in stock at your nearest location. Be sure to double-check before placing your order.

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Bloomingdale’s

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Standard Delivery	Dec. 16	Dec. 23
Premium Delivery	Dec. 20	Dec. 23
Express Delivery	Dec. 25 by noon local time	Dec. 25, by EOD

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JCPenney

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Standard	Dec. 16	Dec. 23
3-Day Expedited	Dec. 20	Dec. 23
2-Day Expedited	Dec. 21	Dec. 23
1-Day Expedited	Dec. 22	Dec. 23

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Kohl’s

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Standard Delivery	N/A	No longer guaranteed
2-Day Delivery	Dec. 19 by 2 p.m. EST	Dec. 24
1-Day Delivery	Dec. 20 by 2 p.m. EST	Dec. 24

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Macy’s

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Standard Delivery	Dec. 16	Dec. 23
Premium Delivery	Dec. 20	Dec. 23
Express Delivery	Dec. 21	Dec. 23
Same-Day Delivery	Dec. 24 before 1 p.m. local time	Dec. 24 before EOD

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Nordstrom

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Free Standard Shipping	Dec. 16	Dec. 23
Expedited Two-Day Shipping	Dec. 20	Dec. 23
Expedited Next-Day Shipping	Dec. 21	Dec. 23

Note: Keep in mind that some items at Nordstrom have specific cutoff dates. Be sure to check your online shopping cart before placing your order.

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Target

Shipping Type	Deadline to Buy	ETA of Package
Free 2-Day Ship	Dec. 21	Dec. 23
Same-Day Delivery	Dec. 23 by 8 p.m. local time	Dec. 23 by EOD

Note: Some exclusions may apply depending on your store’s location. We recommend calling them directly if you’re planning to order last minute.

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