Amazon Extends Free Shipping Deadline During Busiest Days

Amazon has given last-minute online shoppers a couple more days to get that holiday list checked off.

Last year’s free-shipping deadline was Dec. 17, but this year Amazon said its free shipping deadline to have items arrive by Christmas Eve has been extended to Dec. 19. That gives those procrastinators until 11:59 p.m. EST to finalize shopping on the site, but it also keeps Amazon on the same competitive edge major retailers are attempting to reach in the e-Commerce market this holiday season.

USA Today reported that Amazon expects Thursday, Dec. 18 to be the busiest shipping day of the year for the e-Commerce giant. Amazon has given its Prime members another perk this holiday season as members can still receive free two-day shipping as late as Dec. 22. The company is also tapping into it’s brick-and-mortar presence and delivery services as its offering Christmas Eve same-day delivery in 12 major markets for items ordered by 10 a.m.

“The extension is possible because of Amazon’s growing network of fulfillment and sorting centers as well as its ongoing relationship with carriers such as UPS, FedEd and the U.S. Postal Service, the company said,” USA Today reported.