As the 2024 holiday season approaches, businesses and consumers alike face the challenge of ensuring timely gift deliveries amidst increased shipping demands.
With peak season and holiday shipping deadlines and surcharges already announced by major carriers, it’s essential to stay informed and plan ahead to avoid last-minute chaos.
In this extensive guide, we’ll equip you with invaluable insights to help you select the perfect carrier and shipping method, guaranteeing your customers receive their packages as scheduled!
FedEx
When it comes to FedEx, understanding the shipping deadlines and surcharges for their variety of services is crucial for success.
Peak Season Deadlines
- FedEx Ground/Home Delivery:
- December 20, 2024 for 2-3 day delivery points
- December 19, 2024 for 4-day delivery points
- December 18, 2024 for 5-day delivery points.
- FedEx Express Saver: December 20, 2024
- FedEx 2Day: December 20, 2024
- FedEx Overnight: December 23, 2024
View more specifics on FedEx shipping deadlines here.
Peak Season Surcharges (Sept. 30, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025)
- Additional Handling Surcharge: $7.75 to $10
- Oversize Charge: $84.50 to $100
- Ground Unauthorized Package Charge: $450 to $500
- Demand Surcharges (Oct. 28, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025):
- Overnight, 2Day, Express Saver (Excluding One Rate Packages)*: $1 to $2
- Ground/Home Delivery residential shipments*: $0.30 to $0.55
- Ground Economy Package Services: $1.90 to $3.15
- Residential Delivery Charge for large-volume shippers**: $1.45 to $8.25
The key to a smooth holiday season is selecting the right FedEx service based on your specific needs and budget. With a range of delivery speeds, you’re sure to find the perfect fit.
*New for 2024
**Applies to enterprise-level customers who ship more than 20,000 residential and Ground Economy packages, with the price based on how much their volume deviates from their “baseline” shipping activity.
USPS
USPS, the United States Postal Service, offers dependable options for holiday deliveries.
Peak Season Deadlines
- USPS Priority Mail Express: December 21, 2024
- Priority Mail: December 19, 2024
- First-Class Mail: December 18. 2024
- USPS Retail Ground: December 18, 2024
View more specifics on USPS shipping deadlines here.
Peak Season Surcharges (Oct. 6, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025)
- Priority Mail Express: 4.9% increase
- Priority Mail: 5.5% increase
- Ground Advantage: 6.4% increase
USPS services cater to various delivery speeds, making it a practical choice for a wide range of shipping requirements.
UPS
United Parcel Service (UPS) provides competitive delivery solutions, including speedy options for those last-minute gifts.
Peak Season Deadlines
- UPS Three-Day Select: December 19, 2024
- UPS Second-Day Air: December 20, 2024
- UPS Next Day Air: December 23, 2024
View more specifics on UPS shipping deadlines here.
Peak Season Surcharges
- October 27, 2024 – November 23, 2024:
- SurePost & Ground Residential: $0.25
- Next Day & All Other Air: $1.00
- November 24, 2024 – December 28, 2024:
- SurePost & Ground Residential: $0.50
- Next Day & All Other Air: $2.00
- December 29, 2024 – January 18, 2025:
- SurePost & Ground Residential: $0.25
- Next Day & All Other Air: $1.00
Whether you need a little extra time or a lightning-fast delivery, UPS has you covered.
DHL eCommerce
For low cost fast delivery this holiday, DHL could be the best choice.
Peak Season Deadlines
- SmartMail Expedited Max: December 19, 2024
- SmartMail Expedited: December 17, 2024
- SmartMail Ground: December 16, 2024
View more specifics on DHL shipping deadlines here.
Peak Season Surcharges
Surcharges vary by weight and zone, ranging from $0.25 to $1.25 depending on the service type and package weight.
DHL eCommerce SmartMail Domestic Products Zone 1-8 Zone 11-13
- Parcel Ground & Expedited $0.25 $0.35
- Parcel Plus Ground & Expedited (1-3 lbs.) $0.00 $0.35
- Parcel Plus Ground & Expedited (4-10 lbs.) $0.00 $0.75
- Parcel Plus Ground & Expedited (11-25 lbs.) $0.00 $1.25
- Parcel Expedited Max (1-16 oz.) $0.25 $1.25
- Parcel Expedited Max (2-25 lbs.) $0.00 N/A
DHL’s global expertise ensures your international presents arrive on time, no matter the destination.
View more specifics on DHL shipping surcharges here.
OSM
OSM provides rapid and transparent shipping throughout the holiday season.
Peak Season Deadlines
- Domestic Mail (Regional and National Delivery): December 16, 2024
- APO/FPO/OPO Mail: December 7, 2024
Peak Season Surcharges
Starting November 4, 2024, OSM will apply a $0.50 surcharge for shipments under one pound and $0.25 for shipments over one pound.
UPS Mail Innovations
UPS Mail Innovations is a logistics service that partners with the USPS to provide cost-effective, reliable shipping for lightweight packages, combining UPS’s network for sorting and transportation with USPS for final delivery.
Peak Season Deadlines
- Domestic Mail (Regional and National Delivery): December 16, 2024
Peak Season Surcharges
Starting November 3rd, 2024, UPS Mail Innovations will apply a $0.20 surcharge for all shipments.
Holiday shipping deadlines and surcharges are unavoidable, but clear planning and communication with your customers can help mitigate frustration. Provide real-time updates on shipping costs and deadlines to ensure a smooth holiday shopping experience.
Looking for more information about how you can turn your supply chain into a competitive advantage? Contact IDS Fulfillment today for a free consultation!
