2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — The holiday season has arrived, and gift-givers across Rhode Island are getting ready to send holiday packages to their loved ones near and far. To make sure your gifts arrive on time, make sure they are packaged up and sent by Christmas shipping deadlines.

The U.S. Postal Service and other major package delivery companies are reminding shoppers to build in plenty of extra time to ensure all those gifts are delivered by Christmas Day.

Extra time may be especially important given the Postal Service’s new "service standards," rolled out earlier this month. The new standards will result in slower mail delivery and higher prices at the post office.

While the service changes will be more noticeable in certain parts of the country, others won't see much of a disruption.

Related: Slower Mail, Higher Prices: 5 Things To Know About USPS Changes

Before you decide to wait, here are the 2021 holiday shipping deadlines you need to know to make sure your gift arrives by Christmas Day:

U.S. Postal Service

• USPS Retail Ground: Wednesday, Dec. 15
• First-Class Mail: Friday, Dec. 17
• Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 18
• USPS Priority Mail Express: Thursday, Dec. 23

If you’re shipping abroad or to a member of the U.S. military, special deadlines apply.

UPS

• UPS Ground Shipping: Monday, Dec. 20
• UPS 3 Day Select: Tuesday, Dec. 21
• UPS 2nd Day Air: Wednesday, Dec. 22
• UPS Next Day Air: Thursday, Dec. 23

FedEx

• FedEx Ground/Home Delivery: Wednesday, Dec. 15
• FedEx Express Saver: Tuesday, Dec. 21
• FedEx 2Day: Wednesday, Dec. 22
• FedEx Overnight: Thursday, Dec. 23