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The UPS Holiday Schedule 2026: The Date You Need to Know
Time: Jan 28,2026 Author: SFC Source: www.sendfromchina.com
When you’re managing international logistics, timing matters. Whether you’re shipping products from China to global markets or coordinating inbound goods, knowing carrier closures and holiday service alterations can make all the difference. This is especially true during peak holiday seasons when delivery windows tighten and carrier networks experience heavy volume pressure.
For many shippers and e-commerce businesses, UPS remains one of the most reliable and predictable carriers around the world. But that reliability is only consistent if you plan around times when UPS pauses regular pickup and delivery services for holidays.
Below, we walk through the UPS Holiday Schedule for 2026, explain how each holiday can affect your supply chain, and provide actionable planning tips for businesses that rely on global freight and parcel movement.
1. Why the UPS Holiday Schedule Matters for Global Logistics
Holidays disrupt normal operations for most carriers — but the impact varies depending on the type of service (e.g., ground vs. air), the region, and whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally. For shippers using UPS from China to the U.S. (or any other international trade lane), understanding the holiday calendar allows you to:
Schedule shipments earlier to avoid missed transit windows.
Avoid costly delays by tracking holiday service modifications.
Optimize inventory planning in advance of closures.
Communicate accurate delivery expectations to customers.
Even if UPS operates some core services on certain holidays, other service levels — especially ground delivery — may be delayed or suspended entirely.
2. Overview: UPS Official Holidays in 2026 (U.S. Market)
The United States is one of the largest markets for UPS and also one of the most representative for understanding how holiday closures could affect global supply chains.
Below is the official UPS holiday calendar for 2026 (U.S.) — including days when no regular pickup or delivery services operate, and service levels that continue with limited capacity:
UPS Holiday Closures (No Regular Pickup or Delivery)
January 1, 2026 — New Year’s Day UPS
suspends regular operations. UPS Express Critical remains available.January 19, 2026 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
A U.S. federal holiday where standard services do not operate. Limited critical services remain.May 25, 2026 — Memorial Day
UPS celebrates the national holiday, pausing most services.July 4, 2026 — Independence Day
UPS is closed for the holiday. Pickup and delivery operations are suspended.September 7, 2026 — Labor Day
Another key U.S. holiday affecting operations.November 26, 2026 — Thanksgiving Day
UPS remains closed on Thanksgiving.December 25, 2026 — Christmas Day
UPS shuts down for the holiday.January 1, 2027 — New Year’s Day (observed)
Although technically in 2027, this holiday impacts year-end shipping schedules around the 2026–2027 transition.3. Additional Notes on Service Levels
Here’s how other common calendar dates are treated in the UPS 2026 schedule:
February 14 (Valentine’s Day) — Normal operations.
February 16 (President’s Day) — UPS operates, although some USPS-dependent services may be affected.
October 12 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day) — UPS pickup and deliveries operate normally, but certain USPS-link services may require additional transit time.
November 27 (Black Friday) — Regular service resumes after Thanksgiving.
December 24 (Christmas Eve) — Limited operations; Air and international Air services might operate if scheduled, but ground services are restricted.
December 31 (New Year’s Eve) — Prearranged air shipments may operate with restrictions; ground services are limited.
4. Understanding UPS Express Critical and Peak Services
One of the biggest misconceptions about UPS’s holiday schedule is that all services stop completely — which isn’t true. On official UPS holidays, UPS Express Critical (a premium, expedited service) continues to operate 24/7/365. This option is especially important for businesses that must maintain continuity in critical supply chain flows during peak closures.
Key considerations:
UPS Express Critical is available even on holidays when regular services are paused.
This service is ideal for urgent shipments (e.g., parts, high-value goods, medical supplies).
Because UPS Express Critical operates during closures, pricing and scheduling require advance planning.
5. Seasonal Impacts: Peak-Season Considerations for 2026
Tucked within holiday closures are transitional days where operations may be technically open but constrained due to volume or staffing. For example:
Year-End & Christmas Holiday Peaks
The period leading up to Christmas — especially mid-December through Christmas Eve — tends to see:
Extended transit times due to higher parcel volumes.
Early cut-off dates for many services.
Suspended service guarantees on some service levels.
Even if UPS is operational, peak volume and holiday demand can lead to delays or service disruptions that extend beyond the official holiday date itself.
Black Friday & Cyber Week
Black Friday (November 27) isn’t an official UPS holiday — but carriers often see huge spikes in parcel demand immediately after Thanksgiving. This means:
Longer processing times.
Higher space demand on flights and trucks.
Potential delays if your planning isn’t ahead of curve.
6. How Holiday Closures Affect International Shipping from China
As a global logistics provider, SendFromChina understands the ripple effects these holiday schedules can have on international shipments.
Air Freight Impacts
International airfreight services may still operate on some holidays, but capacity may be reduced, and acceptances may close earlier than normal.
Because air services also rely on U.S. ground networks (for last-mile delivery), holiday closures such as Memorial Day or Labor Day can delay shipments even after they land.
Ocean Freight & Intermodal Transfers
Ocean shipments are less directly impacted by carrier holiday closures, but container movements and port operations may still experience delay if connected pickup partners are shut down.
UPS Worldwide Services
UPS’s Worldwide Express and Expedited services usually maintain schedules, but local holidays in origin or destination countries can compound with U.S. holiday closures to lengthen transit times.
For example, when shipping from China:
Chinese public holidays like Chinese New Year (mid-February) also impact shipments departing China.
When paired with U.S. holidays like MLK Day or Memorial Day, transit windows can stretch more than expected.
7. Best Practices to Navigate the UPS Holiday Calendar
Reliable global logistics doesn’t happen by accident. Here are proven strategies to make the UPS holiday schedule work for you:
Plan Shipments Early
Avoid last-minute surges. Before every major UPS holiday (especially late December), schedule your shipments several days in advance to absorb any service interruptions.
Account for Transit Time Add-Ons
Even when UPS operates (e.g., President’s Day or Columbus Day), transit may be slower due to volume or USPS link-ups. Add buffer days.
Use UPS Service Tools
UPS provides service calendars, peak alerts, network status updates, and route-specific status tools. Integrate these into your planning software to automatically flag holiday impacts.
Communicate With Customers
Set proper expectations. Customers who know ahead of time about holiday closures are more understanding of delays.
Leverage Alternative Routing
Consider:
Express Critical for urgent shipments.
Multi-modal transport (air + ground mix).
Flexible pickup windows with partners in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
This is especially true during global holiday windows where synchronized closures can cause unusual bottlenecks (e.g., Chinese New Year overlapping with U.S. holidays).
8. Conclusion
The 2026 UPS Holiday Schedule plays a pivotal role in planning efficient global logistics from China and worldwide. Whether you’re shipping retail products, industrial goods, or time-sensitive freight, understanding and planning around UPS closures and peak impacts is essential for maintaining on-time delivery performance.
With careful forecasting, early scheduling, and an awareness of how holidays influence network operations, you can minimize disruption — even when global delivery calendars shift. And when standard services are paused, alternatives like UPS Express Critical provide lifelines for time-sensitive shipments.
Logistics success isn’t just about moving cargo; it’s about knowing when to move it.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will UPS deliver on national holidays in 2026?
No — standard UPS pickup and delivery services are suspended on key U.S. national holidays like New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Can I ship urgent goods on a UPS holiday?
Yes. UPS Express Critical operates even on holidays, but you must plan and schedule in advance.
Does UPS operate on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve?
UPS may offer limited services (mainly air freight) on these dates, often requiring prearranged scheduling.
How do U.S. holidays affect international shipments from China?
U.S. holiday closures can delay final delivery even if the shipment arrives on time from China. Chinese domestic holidays can also impact departure windows.
Should I expect delays after holidays?
Yes. The day after major closures (like Thanksgiving or Christmas) often experiences high volume, which can delay pickups and deliveries.
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