Carrier Cut-Off Time Tracker
Check daily shipping cut-off times for major carriers and see if you can still make today's pickup. Convert your local time to Eastern Time to compare.
| Carrier | Service | Cut-off (ET) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Priority Mail | 5:00 PM | Post office counter pickup. Times vary by location. Last collection times posted at each facility. |
| USPS | Priority Mail Express | 5:00 PM | Must be presented at the post office counter by closing time. Guarantees next-day delivery. |
| UPS | Ground | 6:00 PM (Store) 8:00 PM (Drop Box) | UPS Store locations typically close at 6–7 PM. Drop box times vary by location. |
| UPS | Next Day Air | 6:00 PM | Must be dropped at a UPS Store or Access Point. End-of-day pickup by UPS driver. |
| UPS | 2nd Day Air | 6:00 PM | Same cut-off as Next Day Air for most locations. |
| FedEx | Ground | 6:00 PM (Office) 8:00 PM (Drop Box) | FedEx Office locations vary. Check fedex.com/dropbox for nearby boxes and their cut-offs. |
| FedEx | Express (2-Day, Overnight) | 6:00 PM | Dropped at FedEx Office. Some high-volume locations have later Express pickups — call ahead to confirm. |
| Amazon | Amazon Logistics | Varies | Cut-offs are set per fulfillment center and change by region. Check your Seller Central dashboard for your facility's daily cut-off. |
Understanding Carrier Cut-Off Times
A carrier cut-off time is the latest point in the day that a package can be accepted for same-day processing. Miss the cut-off and your package gets counted as the next business day's shipment, potentially delaying delivery by a full day — a critical issue for marketplace sellers who must meet SLA promises.
Cut-off times are listed in Eastern Time because major carrier operations and logistics hubs are primarily on the East Coast. If you're on the West Coast, you have a 3-hour head start compared to Eastern-based sellers, but your local carrier pickup schedules may still limit your effective cut-off.
Pro tip: Always verify cut-off times directly with your local carrier location. Times can vary by location, day of week, and season — especially around holidays when carriers often move cut-offs earlier.