When to ship your Poshmark, eBay, Mercari and Depop sales so they arrive before Christmas, and how to handle the busiest weeks of the year.
Updated Oct 19, 2026
Quick answer: for Christmas 2026, USPS says to send Ground Advantage by Thursday, December 17, Priority Mail by Friday, December 18 and Priority Mail Express by Saturday, December 19, within the lower 48 states.
USPS, Christmas 2026: recommended send-by dates
Service
Lower 48 states
Alaska and Hawaii
USPS Ground Advantage
Thu, Dec 17
No single date: allow 10 days or more
First-Class Mail (cards and letters)
Thu, Dec 17
Thu, Dec 17
Priority Mail
Fri, Dec 18
Fri, Dec 18
Priority Mail Express
Sat, Dec 19
Sat, Dec 19
Dates published by USPS for delivery by December 25, 2026. They are recommendations, not guarantees, so ship earlier if you can. Ground Advantage between the lower 48 and Alaska or Hawaii usually takes 10 days or more.
Who picks the shipping
Poshmark: the buyer pays for shipping and Poshmark emails you a prepaid USPS Ground Advantage label. Ship as soon as you can, because buyers will be counting the days.
eBay, Mercari, Depop and Etsy: you choose the service and set the price. In mid-December it’s worth offering Priority Mail as an option. See the shipping guide.
Selling in December: tips
Prices are higher until January 17. USPS’s holiday price increase adds about 6% to parcel prices, so check your shipping charges still cover the label.
Use tracking. Parcels are more likely to be delayed in December, and tracking is your proof if a buyer says a gift never arrived. USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail include it.
Allow extra time for rural addresses, Alaska, Hawaii and military (APO/FPO) addresses.
Be honest about timing. If a sale comes in too late for Christmas delivery, tell the buyer before you ship.
Going away? Use your platform’s vacation setting so you don’t get orders you can’t send.
Questions people ask
When is the last day to ship for Christmas 2026 with USPS?
Within the lower 48 states, USPS recommends Ground Advantage by December 17, Priority Mail by December 18 and Priority Mail Express by December 19.
Who chooses the shipping on Poshmark?
The buyer pays for shipping, and Poshmark emails you a prepaid USPS label. On eBay, Mercari, Depop and Etsy you choose the service and set the price.
Should I use tracked shipping at Christmas?
Yes. USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail include tracking, which shows where a parcel is during the busiest weeks and is your proof of delivery.