UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2025

As the holiday season approaches, planning your shipping schedule is crucial to ensure that your packages reach their destinations on time. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the 2025 year-end holiday schedule for UPS, ensuring you can plan accordingly and avoid the holiday rush.

Key Dates for Domestic Shipping

To make sure your gifts and packages are under the tree by December 24, follow these important UPS holiday shipping deadlines for shipments within the U.S.:

UPS 3 Day Select®: The last day to ship is December 19.

UPS 2nd Day Air®: Packages must be sent by December 22.

UPS Next Day Air®: Send off your packages by December 23 to ensure delivery before Christmas Day.

Keep in mind that in addition to these deadlines, UPS also applies demand surcharges during the peak season that may affect your costs.

Ensure your domestic packages are delivered by December 24 by adhering to these shipping deadlines:

UPS Domestic Shipping Holiday Deadlines

International Holiday Shipping Deadlines

For those sending cheer across borders, the deadlines are slightly different. Here are the key dates for shipping from the U.S. to Canada and Mexico:

U.S. to Canada

U.S. to Mexico

For other international destinations, check the UPS website for specific deadlines.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Schedule

Thanksgiving (November 27)

Thanksgiving Day - November 27: No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical® service is available.

Black Friday - November 28: Normal service resumes, perfect for sending out Black Friday purchases.

Christmas (December 25)

Christmas Day: No UPS services except for UPS Express Critical® for urgent needs.

New Year’s Day (January 1)

New Year’s Day: All services are closed except UPS Express Critical®.

Noteworthy Adjustments:

On December 24 (Christmas Eve), only prearranged pickup services for Air and International Air packages are available.

Regular pickup and delivery services will resume on December 26.

UPS Holiday Schedule for End of Year 2025

UPS Service Modifications and Tips

Suspension of Service Guarantee: The UPS Service Guarantee is suspended during the holiday season except for Air/International. Check the UPS website for specifics.

Extended Delivery Times: From November 28 to December 31, 2025, scheduled delivery times for Air and International Air packages may be extended. Plan accordingly.

Ground and Standard Shipping: Starting November 17, 2025 through early January 9, 2026, some UPS Ground and Standard packages may require additional transit time.

Oversized Packages: Keep in mind that UPS applies additional handling and large package surcharges, which are especially common for bulky or heavy items. During peak season, these shipments may require extra transit time or fees. If you ship oversized products regularly, working with a 3PL that negotiates discounted oversized rates can help you reduce costs and avoid delays.

Utilizing UPS Tools for UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

To efficiently manage your holiday shipping, make use of UPS’s helpful online tools:

Calculate Time and Cost: Get detailed information on shipping durations and pricing at ups.com/ctc

Schedule a Pickup: Conveniently arrange for package pickup at ups.com/pickup

Track a Package: Keep an eye on your shipments every step of the way at ups.com/track

By keeping these deadlines and tips in mind, you can plan your holiday shipments with ease and ensure that your holiday season is as stress-free as possible.

Demand Fulfillment During the Holidays

While knowing the last days to ship is critical, effectively managing your demand fulfillment during this high-demand period is equally important to ensure that operations run smoothly and customers remain satisfied.

Forecast Demand

Use historical data to predict sales volumes, helping you plan adequate inventory levels and staffing.

Streamline Operations

Optimize your warehouse layout and adopt efficient pick and pack strategies like batch picking or zone picking to reduce the time spent processing each order.

Leverage Technology

Implement a robust Warehouse Management System (WMS) that integrates with carriers like UPS to track shipments in real-time, enhancing transparency and control over your logistics operations.

Plan for Contingencies

Develop contingency plans for unexpected delays or shortages. Having backup suppliers and alternative shipping methods can help you navigate unforeseen challenges without impacting customer service.

Communicate with Customers

Keep your customers informed about their order status and any potential delays. Effective communication can help manage expectations and maintain customer satisfaction during peak periods.

Streamline Your Holiday Logistics with 3PL Center

At 3PL Center, we’re committed to making your holiday shipping as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Here’s how we can help:

Strategic Warehouse Locations: Multiple warehouses across the country for fast, affordable 2-day shipping.

Advanced WMS Tracking: Real-time tracking and visibility with UPS and other carriers.

Let 3PL Center handle the complexities of holiday logistics while you focus on growing your business.

👉 Get a Quote Today to prepare for the 2025 holiday season.