A woman mails envelopes at the James A Farley Post U.S. office in New York.
A woman mails envelopes at the James A Farley Post U.S. office in New York in 2012. Reuters

The holidays can be stressful enough without the added worry of whether or not the post office or other shipping companies will be open when the final package needs to be sent or received. Missing the deadline is always a drag and can take away some of the essential magic of the holiday season.

Below are the nationally posted service and shipping schedules for the major shipping companies.

United Parcel Service (UPS and UPS Brown): This year, UPS said it would not provide regular (see below for exceptions) deliveries on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the observed Christmas Day on Monday. The company also does not deliver on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day or the observed New Year’s Day, Jan. 2.

There are a few exceptions on Christmas Eve, the observed Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and the observed New Year’s Day. Pickup is available on those days for regular Saturday customers for air and international packages or for packages prearranged to be picked up before Friday. Deliveries will be made for UPS Worldwide Express, UPSE Next Day Air and UPS 2nd Day Air for Saturday delivery services.

United States Postal Service (USPS): The USPS said locations across the country that are normally open on Saturdays will also be on Christmas Eve but likely will have shorter lobby hours, closing at noon. Christmas hours will be posted at each location. Customers needing later service on Christmas Eve should visit their local post office facility. Post offices will be open for normal hours on New Year’s Eve.

Pick up boxes with final collection times of noon won’t be affected on Christmas or New Year’s Eve; however, boxes with final pickups after that may have their mail picked up early. The USPS recommends dropping packages off at boxes before noon on both of those days just to be safe.

The USPS isn’t operating on Christmas Day, the observed Christmas holiday, New Year’s Day or the observed New Year’s Day holiday Jan. 2. They also will not pick up from drop off locations on any of those days.

FedEx: This shipping company is closed on Christmas Day, the observed Christmas holiday, New Year’s Day and the observed New Year’s Day holiday. The company has modified services for FedEx Express and FedEx SmartPost on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It also has FedEx Home Delivery services open on New Year’s Eve. Check the website for further details and specialized services.

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