It is estimated that this holiday season, major U.S. package carriers will handle more than 100 million packages per day.

Nearly 13% of all retail sales in the U.S. occur between Black Friday and Christmas. It is an important time for retailers as businesses made an estimated $65.3 billion during the 2022 Black Friday sales.

The National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics forecast that holiday spending this year is expected to reach record levels during November and December and will grow between 3% and 4% over 2022 to between $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion.

That means a lot of packages will be changing hands. Who delivers these packages? Traditionally, the United States Postal Service delivered holiday packages, but other publicly traded companies are increasingly involved in moving packages during the holidays.

For retail shareholders, there are several options to invest in companies responsible for holiday deliveries. FedEx (Tii:FDX) and United Parcel Service (Tii:UPS) are the major shippers for the holiday season. But individual investors might also consider companies like Uber Technologies (Tii:UBER) as well since the company delivers more than just rides and food now.

Individual investors might want to consider transportation related ETFs as well. They include iShares Transportation Average ETF (Tii:IYT), Direxion Daily Transportation Bull 3X Shares (Tii:TPOR), First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (Tii:FTXR), ProShares Supply Chain Logistics ETF (Tii:SUPL) and SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (Tii:XTN).

How long will it take for a gift to be mailed before Christmas, Dec. 25? Cutoff dates will vary by carrier and method of delivery, but the date range is typically between 5 and 7 business days before the Dec. 25 holiday.

Here are the deadlines for FedEx holiday shipping for Christmas gifts, packages before Dec. 25, 2023:

Domestic shipping:

Ground economy: Dec. 13

FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx Ground: Dec. 15

Express Saver: Dec. 19

Express Two-Day: Dec. 20

FedEx 1Day Freight, FedEx Extra Hours: Dec. 21

Express Same Day : Dec. 22

Limited shipping: Dec. 23

International shipping to Canada:

FedEx International Next Flight: Dec. 22

FedEx International First: Dec. 21

FedEx International Priority: Dec. 20

FedEx International Priority Distribution: Dec. 20

FedEx International Economy: Dec. 19

FedEx International Connect Plus: Dec. 18

International shipping to Mexico:

FedEx International Next Flight: Dec. 22

FedEx International First: Dec. 21

FedEx International Priority: Dec. 21

FedEx International Economy: Dec. 20

FedEx International Connect Plus: Dec 20

International shipping to Puerto Rico:

FedEx International Next Flight: Dec. 22

FedEx International First: Dec. 21

FedEx International Priority: Dec. 20

FedEx International Priority Distribution: Dec. 20

FedEx International Economy: Dec. 19

Here are the deadlines for UPS holiday shipping for Christmas gifts, packages before Dec. 25, 2023:

Holiday Shipping Dates for U.S. Domestic Shipping:

UPS 3 Day Select: Dec. 19

UPS 2nd Day Air: Dec. 20

UPS Next Day Air: Dec. 21

UPS Ground: Check ups.com for details and specific dates based on your package

Shipping schedules for Canada and Mexico:

UPS Worldwide Expedited: Dec. 19

UPS Worldwide Express Services: Dec. 20

For UPS Standard Services from the 48 contiguous states only, check their website.

UPS Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Sunday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 25): No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical is available. New Years Day (Jan. 1, 2024): No UPS pickup or delivery service. UPS Express Critical is available.

Here are the deadlines for USPS holiday shipping for Christmas gifts, packages before Dec. 25, 2023:

For the lower 48 states:

USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16

First-Class Mail (including greeting cards): Dec. 16

Priority Mail: Dec. 18

Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20 

For Alaska:

USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16

First-Class Mail: Dec. 16

Priority Mail: Dec. 18

Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20

For Hawaii:

USPS Ground Advantage: Dec. 16

First-Class Mail: Dec. 16

Priority Mail: Dec. 16

Priority Mail Express: Dec. 20 

For Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO):

USPS Ground Advantage: Nov. 6

First-Class Mail: Dec. 9

Priority Mail: Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 15