The holiday season brings higher order volumes and tighter delivery windows. To help you meet customer expectations for December 24th delivery, keep these points in mind:
Two Key Factors
In order to ensure delivery by 12/24, it's important to consider when the package needs to be shipped according to each carrier.
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Carrier cutoff dates – carriers publish their own schedules:
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UPS. Note: UPS Ground has not announced published Ground Cutoff Dates, but this service generally follows FedEx Ground transit timelines.
- UPS SurePost does not publish firm cutoffs for this service, but our UPS account team is unofficially advising a cutoff of 12/12.
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Your ship date with Handled – orders must be processed and shipped according to the cutoff times in your agreement with us.
Best Practices for the Season
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Set clear customer expectations. Share your holiday order cutoffs early and align them with carrier timelines and expected processing time with Handled.
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Prioritize expedited shipments. We will work to ensure these orders move as quickly as possible during peak.
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Build in a cushion. Carrier pickups can be less predictable at year-end—leaving a 1–2 day buffer reduces risk.
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Review your carrier mix. We can help define the services that best fit your holiday shipping strategy.
About Delivery Guarantees
Not all services include guaranteed delivery. Economy, Ground, USPS Priority Mail, and other non-expedited options typically do not. While Handled manages shipments with care, delivery speed is ultimately determined by the carrier.
Need Help Planning?
If you’d like guidance on setting your holiday order cutoffs, choosing carriers, or building in the right buffers, reach out to your Handled team. We’ll work with you to prepare a holiday shipping plan that aligns with your business and keeps your customers confident.