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Christmas shipping deadlines 2026

Old rule: There's always time to ship one more gift.Not after December 23.

The last day to ship with UPS and FedEx so wine and spirits arrive by December 24, with a countdown and a plan for corporate gifts.

Today is

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Last day to ship (arrives Thursday, December 24)

  1. FedExGround EconomyTuesday, December 15
  2. FedExGround / Home DeliveryThursday, December 17
  3. UPS3 Day SelectPackages sent on Dec 14 or 15 may need an extra day.Monday, December 21
  4. FedExExpress SaverMonday, December 21
  5. UPS2nd Day AirPackages sent on Dec 14, 15, 16 or 21 may need an extra day.Tuesday, December 22
  6. FedEx2Day / 2Day A.M.Tuesday, December 22
  7. UPSNext Day AirWednesday, December 23
  8. FedExPriority / Standard / First OvernightWednesday, December 23
  9. UPSGroundNo fixed date: check ups.com/ctc

December 2026

  1. M
  2. T
  3. W
  4. T
  5. F
  6. S
  7. S
  8. 1
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  10. 3
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  14. 7
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  21. 14
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  24. 17
  25. 18
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  30. 23
  31. 24
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  34. 27
  35. 28
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  38. 31
  • Deadline
  • Limited service
  • Closed

Corporate gifts: plan backwards

Our advice for wine and spirits brands, not a carrier rule. Alcohol needs a signature from an adult 21+, so leave room for a second delivery attempt.

  1. Nov 20Recipient list and budget locked.
  2. Nov 27Custom labels, engraving and gift notes ordered.
  3. Dec 4Final addresses, with a phone number for the carrier.
  4. Dec 11Ground shipments to 4 and 5-day lanes, with a week to spare.
  5. Dec 15–18Last Ground shipments. After that, air only.
  6. Dec 21–23Air only: 3-day, 2-day and overnight.

How it works

These are the dates UPS and FedEx publish for a US package to arrive on Thursday, December 24, 2026. Both close on the 25th. On the 24th UPS delivers every service but only picks up Air shipments arranged by December 18.

FedEx Ground depends on the transit days between your warehouse and your customer: pick yours above. UPS Ground has no fixed date, so check its time-in-transit tool. From November 16, some UPS Ground packages take longer than usual.

USPS is left out because it can't carry alcohol. UPS and FedEx only ship alcohol for licensed shippers with a signed agreement, always with a signature from an adult 21+. The countdown uses your device's date.

Read the guide: Where Can You Ship Wine and Spirits Direct to Consumers? →

Sources

  1. UPS: 2026 holiday schedule and holiday service modifications
  2. FedEx: 2026 Peak Last Day to Ship (PDF)
  3. ShipStation: 2026 holiday shipping deadlines for UPS, USPS and FedEx (updated 10 Nov 2026)
  4. UPS: How to ship wine
  5. FedEx: Alcohol shipping requirements
  6. USPS Publication 52: Intoxicating liquors are nonmailable