With the holiday season fast approaching, many shoppers are wondering if Amazon will deliver packages on Christmas Eve. The short answer is – it depends. Amazon offers a variety of shipping options, some of which are available on December 24th while others are not. In this article, we’ll break down Amazon’s holiday shipping policies so you know what to expect if ordering gifts online this year.
When is the Last Day for Amazon Delivery Before Christmas?
The last day to order on Amazon and receive your packages before December 25th depends on a few factors:
- Which shipping speed you select
- If you’re an Amazon Prime member or not
- What time you place your order
For non-Prime members, the deadline is December 22nd for standard shipping orders. However, Prime members get more leeway with free two-day shipping on eligible items. As long as you order by December 23rd, Prime packages should arrive before Christmas via this method.
Does Amazon Deliver on Christmas Eve?
Amazon offers limited delivery on December 24th. Not all items are eligible for Christmas Eve shipping, and delivery options are more restricted than usual. Here are the main things to know about Amazon shipping on Christmas Eve:
Amazon Prime Same-Day Delivery
In certain areas, Prime members can get free same-day delivery on last-minute gifts and essentials on December 24th. Enter your ZIP code on Amazon to see if same-day is available in your region. Orders must be placed by 9:30am local time.
Amazon Prime One-Day Delivery
Prime members can also get faster one-day delivery on December 24th for an additional fee per item. Search for items marked “Prime FREE One-Day” when shopping on Amazon. Place orders by 7pm local time.
Third-Party Seller Shipping
Some third-party sellers on Amazon may offer Christmas Eve shipping, while others do not. Check individual listings for seller delivery policies before purchasing.
Amazon Locker Pickup
Prime members can order items by 9pm on December 23rd for locker pickup on December 24th. Find an Amazon Locker location near you via the Amazon app or website.
What About USPS, UPS, and FedEx Delivery?
The major shipping carriers continue limited delivery services on Christmas Eve as well. Here are the last days to ship with each for expected Christmas delivery:
- USPS Retail Ground – ship by December 17th
- USPS First Class – ship by December 20th
- USPS Priority Mail – ship by December 21st
- UPS Ground – ship by December 20th
- UPS 3 Day Select – ship by December 21st
- UPS 2nd Day Air – ship by December 22nd
- UPS Next Day Air – ship by December 23rd
- FedEx Ground – ship by December 15th
- FedEx Express Saver – ship by December 20th
- FedEx 2Day – ship by December 22nd
- FedEx Overnight – ship by December 23rd
Ship times may differ for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, & military addresses.
Does Amazon Deliver on Christmas Day?
Amazon does not offer delivery on December 25th itself. The online retailer is closed for the holiday, as are USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers.
Some independent contractors may work for Amazon Flex on Christmas Day, but availability is extremely limited. Unless you selected a premium 2-hour delivery window, do not expect any packages to arrive on December 25th.
Order Soon to Avoid Holiday Shipping Delays
December is the busiest time of year for package deliveries. To avoid shipping delays around Christmas and New Year’s:
- Check order cut-off dates and ship by deadlines
- Order gifts as early as possible
- Select faster shipping speeds when needed
- Check delivery date estimates before purchasing
- Consider Amazon Locker for guaranteed pickup dates
With proper planning, you can still purchase gifts online and receive them in time for Christmas celebrations. Just be sure to order as soon as you can.
The Bottom Line
While Amazon’s delivery capabilities are vast, even they slow down around the winter holidays. Make sure you understand shipping timeframes, order by the recommended deadlines, and set expectations on probable delivery dates. With millions of packages in transit, your gifts may take a little longer than usual to arrive. But with Amazon Prime and other expedited shipping options, Christmas Eve delivery is still possible in many cases.
The key is not waiting until the last minute! Order your online gifts soon, track your packages, and get ready to celebrate a holly jolly holiday with on-time deliveries.
