WASHINGTON — Whether you’re sending gifts, holiday cards or both this season, if you want them to arrive before Santa shows up, be aware: The U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS all have cutoff dates for getting your packages there on time.

• The U.S. Postal Service , which expects to deliver 15.5 billion cards, letters and packages, says that Dec. 15 is the Christmas-delivery deadline for standard mail (that’s also projected to be the busiest mailing day of the year); Dec. 20 for Priority Mail and Dec. 23 for Priority Express.
• If you’re using FedEx, ship by Dec. 17 for ground and Dec. 23 for overnight.
• For UPS, you have until Dec. 22 for second-day air and Dec. 23 for next-day.
• If you’re really down to the wire, FedEx and UPS offer limited delivery on Christmas Day.

International shipping deadlines vary depending on the destination.

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