During Holiday 2022, 14% of all packages were delayed by shipping carriers (with delays creeping higher for states like California, Texas, and Illinois.)

And let's face it, even with shipping delays out of most eCommerce brands' controls, they still get the blame and the brunt of disappointment from shoppers, especially around the holidays.

While carriers have gotten better about providing holiday shipping deadlines and anticipating demand, there are a few tactics brands can employ to ensure packages get delivered on time to happy customers:

• Pad carrier deadlines by a day or two to account for delays. If a carrier gives December 15th as the last day to ship in time for Christmas, make your "guaranteed" cut-off to customers the 14th or 13th.
• Plaster your brand's shipping deadlines prominently on your website, email, and social channels.
• Nudge or incentivize customers to get ahead of the "mad scramble" and make purchases earlier in the season.
• Give customers the option to select their shipping speed at checkout.

We wouldn't be Nice if we didn't do all the research for you now, would we?

Besides, you're a busy brand with bigger things to do. We got you.

Scroll to see FedEx, UPS, and USPS holiday 2023 shipping deadlines below, plus, our recommendations that add in additional padding to account for delays.

FedEx 2023 Shipping Deadlines for Holiday Packages (Domestic):

• FedEx Ground Economy | Ship by Wednesday, December3th, 2023
• FedEx Ground | Ship by Friday, December 15th, 2023
• FedEx Home Delivery | Ship by Friday, December 15th, 2023
• FedEx Express Saver | Ship by Tuesday, December 19th, 2023
• FedEx 2Day Service | Ship by Wednesday, December 20th, 2023
• FedEx SameDay/Overnight Service | Ship by Friday, December 22nd, 2023

Nice Commerce Recommendations: FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines 2023:

• FedEx Ground | Ship by Thursday, December 14th, 2023
• FedEx Home Delivery | Ship by Thursday, December 14th, 2023
• FedEx Express Saver | Ship by Monday December 18th, 2023
• FedEx 2Day Service | Ship by Wednesday, December 20th, 2023
• FedEx Overnight Service | Ship by Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Navigating holiday shipping deadlines are only the tip of the iceburg when trying to set up your brand for success this holiday season. Check out a few other helpful tips and resources from our vault, below:

• 40+ real-life examples of winning eCommerce order inserts
• 10 strategies to reduce return rates before the holiday rush
• Affordable marketing strategies that work for eCommerce brands 2023
• 4 ways to deal with slow-moving inventory
• 5 ways to keep your store thriving during hard times