It’s not yet Halloween, but holiday season crunch time has begun for retailers, shippers and the promotional products industry.

The latest evidence of that comes from the United States Postal Service and shipping giant FedEx Corp., both of which have released deadlines for getting packages to intended recipients before Dec. 25.

Last year, domestic carriers experienced backlogs and delays as a huge surge in e-commerce spending and virtual holiday visits had more packages traveling through the shippers.

Distributors, are you worried about inventory and prompt customer service during the Q4 crush? @ChrisR_ASI talks to leading #promoproducts suppliers and has the scoop on what to expect.https://t.co/WpvDDFFgLR

— C.J. Mittica (@CJ_ASIMedia) October 4, 2021

With stress on carriers expected to be heavy again, FedEx recommends shipping by the following dates:

Dec. 9 – FedEx Ground Economy & FedEx Freight Economy

Dec. 15 – FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight Priority & FedEx Freight Direct

Dec. 15 – Home Delivery

Dec. 21 – Express Saver

Dec. 22 – 2Day & 2Day AM & FedEx 2Day Freight

Dec. 23 – Overnight Services & FedEx 1Day Freight

Dec. 24 – FedEx Same Day

FedEx recommends shipping by the following dates to ensure on-time pre-Dec. 25 arrival. Click the graphic to enlarge it. Source: FedEx

Meanwhile, the Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) addresses:

Nov. 6 – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service

Dec. 9 – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

Dec. 15 – USPS Retail Ground service

Dec. 16 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service

Dec. 17 – First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)

Dec. 17 – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)

Dec. 18 – Priority Mail service

Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express* service

Alaska

Dec. 18 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– First-Class Mail

Dec. 18 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail

Dec. 21 – Alaska to/from Continental U.S.– Priority Mail Express

Hawaii

Dec. 17 – Hawaii to/from mainland--Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

Dec. 21 – Hawaii to/from mainland--Priority Mail Express