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 25^th

 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 2^nd 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

How much holiday shopping have you already done? I have barely started mine!