Holiday shipping deadlines quickly approaching: Here’s what to know

Holiday shipping deadlines

Christmas is just nine days away and the clock is ticking if you still have gifts to ship. Regina Gonzalez reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - With the calendar delivering a shortened holiday season this year, proper planning is key – especially if you are shipping gifts to family and friends in other states.

Major carriers like the US postal service, FedEx and UPS have staff working around the clock to make sure your holiday cards and gifts make it out on time.

Tampa's post offices are already on pace to beat last year's delivery numbers.

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Since Dec. 1, they've made over half a million deliveries, which is a 13% increase from last year.

The postmaster expects another 90-100,000 to go out this week, and he's ensuring, his teams are embracing the rush as those shipping deadlines are coming quickly.

Deadlines are quickly approaching to get packages in the mail to arrive by Christmas Day.

So, here are some dates to keep in mind.

For the USPS, if you want gifts to arrive by Christmas Day -- the ground advantage -- and first-class mail service, they must be sent in by Wednesday, December 18. The Priority mail deadline is Dec. 19.

If you need something sent extra last minute, and snappy -- that express service deadline will be on Dec. 21. They're relatively the same for FedEx and UPS, both have a bunch of options but essentially these are dates you need to keep in mind:

Three-day shipping: December 19
Two-day shipping: December 20
One-day shipping: December 23

FedEx does have a same-day date: Dec. 24.

Keep in mind, the farther along you get the more expensive it'll be to mail out packages.

Store hours may vary depending on which carrier you use, so check their hours ahead of time and prepare for long lines as many people will be shipping at the last minute.

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