Vintage foreign postage. Via Shutterstock
What are the best postal rates for Christmas this year? I always wonder if I’m losing money by shipping my gifts with USPS, which I do mostly out of habit and because I ship early enough that I can avoid overnight service. Not sure if that’s going to happen this year! I’ve only bought just two presents, though I have good ideas for many people on my list.
So which are the best postal rates this year? I found answers on Endicia, which helps sellers on eBay, Amazon, or Etsy master ecommerce shipping. For the rest of us, this is a quick answer to how we should ship our holiday presents.
Cheapest way to ship Christmas presents
Shipping Costs By Carrier*
| Package Weight | FedEx | UPS | USPS** |
| 5-Pounds Or Less | |||
| 3-Day | $35.48 | $35.81 | $11.30 |
| 2-Day | $46.98 | $47.41 | $11.30 |
| Standard Overnight | $86.33 | $93.28 | $44.95*** |
| 6-10 Pounds | |||
| 3-Day | $55.37 | $55.88 | $11.30 |
| 2-Day | $74.01 | $74.69 | $11.30 |
| Standard Overnight | $119.25 | $124.58 | $44.95 |
*All prices based on coast-to-coast carrier costs (New York to San Francisco) with USPS rates based on a Medium Flat Rate Box
**USPS Priority Mail shipping from New York to San Francisco typically takes 2 days; hence all 3-day USPS delivery speeds have 2-day prices.
***Shipping via Priority Mail Express costs only $39.87
For packages weighing less than 5 lbs. and being shipped Standard Overnight, consider using a regular (non-Flat Rate) box.
Holiday Shipping Secret Weapon: USPS Priority Mail
The Postal Service just introduced lower rates for Priority Mail, making it an affordable option for heavier packages.
| Gifting something heavy?5-25 lbs | The new sweet spot for USPS Priority Mail |
| Waiting ‘til the last minute?2 days | How long it takes to ship from San Francisco to New York with USPS Priority Mail(versus 5-6 days with FedEx/UPS Ground) |
Shipping deadlines for delivery before December 25th
Monday, Dec 15
- USPS Standard Post
- USPS Parcel Select (non-presort)
Wednesday, Dec 17
- FedEx Ground
- UPS Ground**
Friday, Dec 19
- UPS 3 Day Select**
Saturday, Dec 20
- USPS First Class Mail
- USPS Priority Mail
- FedEx Express Saver
Monday, Dec 22
- FedEx 2Day
- UPS 2nd Day Air
Tuesday, Dec 23
- USPS Priority Mail Express
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- UPS Next Day Air
**UPS does not specify cut off dates for their Ground or 3 Day Select services