Your customers around the world are shopping now. The last ship dates below tell you exactly when to get international orders out the door so they arrive by December 25, 2026.

International packages clear customs along the way, so these cutoffs fall earlier than domestic ones. That's normal. Ship by the date for your service and destination, and your customers get their gifts on time. GlobalPost support is here if you have questions along the way.

What are holiday shipping deadlines?

Holiday shipping deadlines are the last dates you can ship a package with a specific service and still expect it to arrive by December 25. Carriers set them because volumes surge in the holiday season, and every handoff takes longer.

Share these dates with your customers early. Clear cutoffs reduce "where's my order?" emails and help shoppers order in time.

GlobalPost international shipping deadlines

2026 GlobalPost International Shipping Deadlines
CountryGlobalPost Economy InternationalGlobalPost Standard InternationalGlobalPost PlusGlobalPost Plus - Duties & Taxes IncludedGlobalPost Flat Rate
AfricaMonday, November 30Tuesday, December 1Monday, December 7Monday, December 7N/A
Asia/Pacific RimThursday, December 3Tuesday, December 8Wednesday, December 9Wednesday, December 9Tuesday, December 8
Australia/New ZealandThursday, December 3Wednesday, December 9Thursday, December 10Thursday, December 10Wednesday, December 9
CanadaWednesday, December 9Wednesday, December 9Monday, December 14Monday, December 14Tuesday, December 8
EuropeTuesday, December 8Thursday, December 10Thursday, December 10Friday, December 11N/A
Latin AmericaWednesday, December 2Monday, December 7Tuesday, December 8Tuesday, December 8N/A
MexicoThursday, December 3Friday, December 4Wednesday, December 9Wednesday, December 9Wednesday, December 9
Middle EastTuesday, December 8Wednesday, December 9Thursday, December 10Thursday, December 10N/A
United KingdomTuesday, December 8Tuesday, December 8Monday, December 14Monday, December 14N/A

Last ship date to arrive by December 25, 2026. N/A = service not available for that destination. Dates are estimates; transit can vary by destination, customs, and weather.

How to read the table

Find your destination in the left column, then look across to your service. That's your last ship date.

  • Economy and Standard: Buyer-paid duties and taxes (DDU). Economy has the earliest cutoffs, so ship these first.
  • Plus and Plus – Duties & Taxes Included: Seller-paid duties and taxes (DDP), so your customer isn't surprised by fees at delivery. Available to 30+ destinations.
  • Flat Rate: Duties and taxes are built into one flat rate. Available to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Mexico.

Not sure which service fits an order? Choose Plus or Plus – Duties & Taxes Included if you want your customer to receive the package with nothing to pay at the door.

Tips for holiday international shipping

High volumes can mean longer transit times, and it's easy to slip with a flood of orders. Before you ship:

  • Complete customs paperwork accurately. Errors are the most common cause of delays.
  • Confirm addresses with customers. A wrong address costs you days you don't have.
  • Package for extreme temperatures. Packages may travel through both hot and cold climates.
  • Wrap fragile items well. Add orientation arrows for proper handling.
  • Ship early when you can. Build in a buffer for customs and local holidays.

Shipping to the EU? Review the latest requirements in EU Shipping After November 1: Get Your Product IDs and Duties Right so your packages clear without a hitch.

International shipping restrictions

Restrictions vary by destination country, carrier network, and import/export rules. Check them before you ship to avoid penalties, returned shipments, or confiscated packages. Items that can't be shipped internationally through GlobalPost include:

  • Aerosols
  • Dry ice
  • Hemp-based products (including CBD)
  • Lithium batteries
  • Nail polish
  • Perfumes (containing alcohol)
  • Perishable items

Find more in our international shipping restrictions FAQs.

Ship around the globe this holiday season

The holidays don't have to be stressful, and neither does international shipping. GlobalPost handles the hard parts, like finding HS codes, so you can focus on your business. Rates start as low as $14.32, with no volume minimums and up to $200 in parcel coverage included.

Ship with GlobalPost today.