The 2025 Shipping Deadline Cheat Sheet: When to Order to Avoid Expedited Fees

The Clock is Ticking (And It’s Expensive)

The most dangerous game you can play this December isn't "White Elephant"—it's "Will It Arrive in Time?"

With Christmas landing on a Thursday in 2025, you have a slight advantage compared to last year, but don't get comfortable. Retailers are already warning about higher volume, and after December 14th, standard shipping effectively disappears.

If you wait too long, you’ll be forced to pay "Expedited Shipping" fees that can cost more than the gift itself.

We’ve compiled the Official 2025 Shipping Deadlines below. Bookmark this page, because if you miss these dates, you're paying extra.

The "Hard" Deadlines (Carrier Cutoffs)

These are the dates the stores need to hand your package to the drivers. If you are ordering from a smaller boutique or an eBay seller, subtract 2 days from these dates to account for their processing time.

Major Retailer Deadlines (When to Click "Buy")

Big retailers have their own logistics networks, often allowing you to order later than the dates above. Here is the "Safe Zone" for the big players:

• Amazon:

  • Non-Prime Members: Order by Dec 14 (Free Shipping Day).

  • Prime Members: You can push this to Dec 22 for "Two-Day Delivery" items, but inventory moves fast.

• Walmart:

  • Standard Shipping: Dec 17 (approx. 2pm ET).

  • Walmart+ Express: Dec 21.

• Target:

  • RedCard Holders (Free 2-Day): Dec 19.

  • Standard Shipping: Dec 16.

• Macy's / Kohl's / Department Stores:

  • Most have a "Standard" cutoff of Dec 18 (often with a minimum spend of $50+).

The "Secret" Savings Date: December 14, 2025

Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 14th. This is National Free Shipping Day. Hundreds of retailers (including heavy hitters like Gap, Best Buy, and Target) traditionally waive minimum spend requirements and guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve on this specific day.

How to Avoid Fees If You Miss the Deadline

If you are reading this on December 20th and panicking, you have two options to save your wallet:

1. Hunt for "Free Express Upgrade" Coupons Many luxury brands (like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, or high-end tech stores) will offer codes that upgrade you from Ground to 2-Day shipping for free during the final week to capture last-minute sales.

• Search CouponFlick for: "Free expedited shipping" or "Upgrade to 2-day" before you checkout.

2. The "BOPIS" Hail Mary BOPIS stands for Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store.

• Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Nordstrom allow you to order as late as Dec 24th at 12:00 PM (local time) and pick it up at the counter an hour later.

• Bonus: You can still use CouponFlick online promo codes for these orders, unlike shopping physically in the store where online codes often fail.

Don't Risk It. Check the Codes Now.

Shipping fees are the worst way to spend your holiday budget. Check our Christmas Coupons Page right now to see which stores are currently offering free delivery with no minimums.