Don’t Run Out of Shipping Boxes This Holiday Season: Key Deadlines for Christmas Eve Delivery in 2024

Amanda Pharis -

As we approach the 2024 holiday season, the pressure to meet customer demand for timely deliveries is greater than ever. With Black Friday on November 29, it's essential for small businesses to plan ahead and ensure they have enough shipping boxes to handle the surge in orders. At CustomBoxes.io, we want to help you avoid the stress of running out of boxes at the last minute. In this post, we’ll outline the important production and shipping deadlines you need to know to guarantee your packages arrive by Christmas Eve.

Why Order Early?

During the holiday rush, demand for custom printed shipping boxes skyrockets, and production times can increase due to the volume of orders. Combine this with potential carrier delays from UPS, FedEx, and USPS, and you have a recipe for missed deliveries. To avoid this, it's crucial to plan ahead and order your shipping boxes well before your busiest days.

Key Production Deadlines for Custom Shipping Boxes

To ensure your custom shipping boxes are delivered in time, consider the following production deadlines based on the size of your order:

Standard Shipping Box Sizes:

  • Extended Production: Order by November 27
  • Standard Production: Order by December 2
  • Rush Production: Order by December 4

Special Order Shipping Box Sizes:

  • Extended Production: Order by November 18
  • Standard Production: Order by November 27
  • Rush Production: Order by December 2

These dates reflect our typical production lead times, which range from 7 to 15 business days depending on the size and complexity of your order. However, during the holiday season, it’s important to account for potential delays. We highly recommend placing your order as early as possible to ensure timely delivery.

Key Shipping Deadlines for Christmas Eve Delivery

For your customers to receive their packages by Christmas Eve (December 24), here are the shipping deadlines you need to keep in mind:

USPS Deadlines:

  • USPS Ground Advantage™: December 14
  • First-Class Mail®: December 14
  • Priority Mail®: December 16
  • Priority Mail Express®: December 20

FedEx Deadlines:

  • FedEx 2Day® & FedEx 2Day® AM: December 20
  • FedEx Express Saver®: December 19
  • FedEx Ground® & Home Delivery®: December 17
  • FedEx Ground® Economy: December 13

UPS Deadlines:

  • UPS® Ground Shipping: December 17
  • UPS 3 Day Select®: December 18
  • UPS 2nd Day Air®: December 20
  • UPS Next Day Air®: December 22

Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

By understanding production and shipping timelines, you can ensure that your holiday orders go out on time and your customers receive their purchases before Christmas. At CustomBoxes.io, we offer three production speeds—extended, standard, and rush—so you can choose the best option based on your deadline and order size.

We print your custom shipping boxes locally in two locations to reduce shipping distances and transit times. Plus, thanks to our partnerships with UPS and FedEx, we offer large-volume shipping rates, passing along savings to you, without compromising on quality.

Order Your Shipping Boxes Early to Avoid Delays

To avoid running out of boxes during the holiday rush, place your order for custom shipping boxes by November 6 to have them in hand before Black Friday. This ensures you have the supplies you need to fulfill your orders on time, keeping your customers happy and your business running smoothly.

If you have any questions or need help with your order, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help make your holiday season a success!