JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s being called shipmageddon: retailers and shipping companies are getting bombarded with online orders.
So if you’re hoping your packages will arrive on or before Christmas Day, these companies are saying you’ll want to get an early start on any holiday shopping you’re planning to do.
Black Friday won’t be a big draw due to the coronavirus pandemic. So major retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Walmart are rolling out holiday deals early. All three will be closed for Thanksgiving.
Below are the key shipping deadlines you need to know about:
- UPS: Dec. 15
- FedEx: Dec. 15
- USPS: Dec. 18
According to UPS and FedEx Ground, packages shipped through them need to go out no later than Dec. 15. And the U.S. Postal Service says its deadline for first-class mail is Dec. 18.
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But it’s worth mentioning that they’re all warning there is no guarantee your shipment will arrive on time. And don’t be shocked if you notice that shipping costs even more this year.
UPS, FedEx and USPS have all charged premiums for holiday shipments over the years, but this year they could be as much as $5 per shipment, leading some retailers to pass that cost along to the consumer.
So, a word of advice: if you’ve got holiday shopping to do, it’s probably best to start now.