Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2020 Loom For Maryland Cards, Packages

MARYLAND — Holiday gift-giving habits look a lot different in Maryland because of the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone mail cards or sending gifts — especially to military or overseas addresses — will want to note the upcoming shipping deadlines from the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS.

The U.S. Postal Service and major package delivery companies have set shipping deadlines, but as holiday buying kicks into full swing, they advise building in some cushions to ensure delivery by Christmas Day.

Americans began their holiday shopping earlier than normal, and both local retailers and large internet sellers report that more people are doing their holiday shopping online this year.

Are you committed to shopping locally this year to help out businesses hurt by the pandemic? Check out the Maryland local business directory.

The Postal Service will expand Sunday delivery beginning Nov. 29 to locations with high package volumes. USPS already delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities. Mail carriers will also deliver packages for an additional fee on Christmas Day in select locations.

The busiest time of the season peaks two weeks before Christmas, when much of the last-minute shopping starts, USPS said. Customer traffic is expected to increase beginning Dec. 7, with the week of Dec. 14-21 predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week.

A recent survey by Coresight Research found that current spikes in confirmed coronavirus cases are sending more people online and could affect the availability of some in-demand products.

About 25 percent of those surveyed said they began their holiday shopping earlier this year, and many retailers have stretched out their Black Friday deals over a longer period to accommodate social distancing.

Here are the deadlines you need to know:

U.S. Postal Service

• USPS Retail Ground: Tuesday, Dec. 15
• First-Class Mail: Friday, Dec. 18
• Priority Mail: Saturday, Dec. 19
• USPS Priority Mail Express: Wednesday, Dec. 23

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

UPS

• UPS Ground Shipping: Wednesday, Dec. 16
• UPS Next Day Air: Friday, Dec. 18
• UPS 2nd Day Air: Friday, Dec. 18
• UPS 3 Day Select: Saturday, Dec. 19

FedEx

• FedEx Ground/Home Delivery: Saturday, Dec. 19
• FedEx Express Saver: Monday, Dec. 21
• FedEx 2Day: Tuesday, Dec. 22
• FedEx Overnight: Wednesday, Dec. 23

To find a shipping location near you, go to the USPS, FedEx and UPS websites.