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The holidays are just weeks away, and with many Americans purchasing gifts online, shipping deadlines are now more important than ever.
Thankfully, the United States Postal Service, UPS and FedEx publish Christmas shipping deadlines for those hoping to receive their gifts by Dec. 25. Holiday shoppers planning ahead can also take advantage of National Free Shipping Day.
Here’s what Illinois shoppers should know.
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What is National Free Shipping Day?
National Free Shipping Day started in 2008 and takes place annually in mid-December. Many companies in the past have forgone shipping costs, allowing shoppers to keep a little extra money in their pockets in time for the holidays.
When is National Free Shipping Day in 2025?
This year, Free Shipping Day lands on Sunday, Dec. 14.
What stores participate in Free Shipping Day?
Retailers make the decision whether or not to participate in Free Shipping Day. In the past, these stores have included Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Target, Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, Bloomingdales, Best Buy, Kohl’s and many others. Check each store to see if you can earn some additional savings by shipping gifts on Dec. 14.
In the meantime, here are the shipping deadlines if you want your gift to arrive before Dec. 25.
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USPS holiday shipping deadlines for 2025
If you’re shipping gifts to any of the 48 contiguous states in the U.S before Dec. 25, the 2025 USPS holiday shipping deadlines recommends you send your package by these dates:
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 for USPS Ground Advantage™
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 for First-Class Mail®
- Thursday, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail®
- Saturday, Dec. 20 for Priority Mail Express®
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Shipping something to Alaska or Hawaii before Dec. 25? Here are the deadlines:
- Tuesday, Dec. 16 to Alaska or Hawaii with USPS Ground Advantage™
- Wednesday, Dec. 17 to Alaska or Hawaii with First-Class Mail®
- Thursday, Dec. 18 to Alaska or Hawaii with Priority Mail®
- Saturday, Dec. 20 to Alaska or Hawaii with Priority Mail Express®
2025 UPS holiday shipping deadlines
The 2025 year-end holiday schedule for UPS includes the following recommended dates if you want a package delivered by Dec. 24.
| Shipping via UPS | Ship Date |
| Groundshipping: | Check ups.com/ctc online for details. |
| 3 Day Select®: | Friday, Dec. 19 |
| 2nd Day Air®: | Monday, Dec. 22 |
| Next Day Air®: | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
2025 FedEx holiday shipping schedule
If you want your package to arrive by Dec. 24, FedEx’s 2025 shipping deadlines for holiday packages recommends mailing them no later than the following dates:
| Shipping viaFedEx Express | Last day to ship |
| SameDay® | Wednesday, Dec. 24 |
| Overnight®,Extra Hours® | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| 2Day®,2Day AM® | Monday, Dec. 22 |
| Express Saver® | Saturday, Dec. 20 |
| 1Day® Freight | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| 2Day® Freight | Friday, Dec. 19 |
| 3Day® Freight | Thursday, Dec. 18 |
| ShippingFedEx | 5-Day | 4-Day | 3-Day | 2-Day | 1-Day |
| Ground® | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | Thursday, Dec. 18 | Friday, Dec. 19 | Monday, Dec. 22 | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| HomeDelivery | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | Thursday, Dec. 18 | Friday, Dec. 19 | Monday, Dec. 22 | Tuesday, Dec. 23 |
| GroundEconomy | Monday, Dec. 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Freight®Priority | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | Thursday, Dec. 18 | Friday, Dec. 19 | Monday, Dec. 22 |
| Freight®Economy | Thursday, Dec. 11 | Thursday, Dec. 11 | Thursday, Dec. 11 | Thursday, Dec. 11 | Thursday, Dec. 11 |
For more details, visit the FedEx holiday page at FedEx.com/holiday.
CONTRIBUTING: John Tufts, IndyStar
Credit: Source link
