By Scott Nyerges on December 4, 2010 in
Retailers are again offering free shipping this holiday season, but there are restrictions and deadlines you should be aware of. In most cases, Monday, Dec. 20, is the cutoff date for free shipping. Friday, Dec. 17, is also worth remembering. On that day, more than 1,000 big (and not-so-big) retailers will be offering free shipping to shoppers. Check out FreeShippingDay.com for more info.
The following chart lists shipping deadlines and minimum purchase amounts. In some instances, free shipping offers may not apply to oversized items like furniture or coveted electronics like laptops and major appliances. Also, these deadlines are often not valid outside the continental U.S. Read the fine print and don't put off buying until the last minute.
| Retailer | Minimum order for free shipping | Deadline for ordering |
| Amazon.com | $25 | Dec. 16 |
| Overstock.com | None | Dec. 20 |
| Zappos.com | None | Dec. 23 |
| Walmart | None | Dec. 20 |
| Sears | $99 ($49 on clothing, accessories) | N/A (probably Dec. 16) |
| Best Buy | None (many items excluded) | Dec. 21 (11 a.m. EST) |
| Barnes and Noble | $25 | Dec. 20 |
| Toys R Us | $49 (many items excluded) | N/A (probably Dec. 20) |
| Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic | $50 | N/A (probably Dec. 16) |
| Office Depot | N/A (Probably $50) | Dec. 15 |
| Cooking.com | N/A | Dec. 15 for Super Saver Shipping |
| Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma | None (many items excluded) | N/A (probably Dec. 16) |
| Apple | $50 | Dec. 16-20 (varies based on item) |
| Target | $50 | Dec. 20 |
| Staples | $50 | N/A (probably Dec. 16) |
| OfficeMax | $50 | N/A (probably Dec. 16) |
| J Crew | $150 | Dec. 20 |
| Kohl's | $50 | Dec. 18 |
| JCPenney | $69 | N/A (probably Dec. 15) |
| L.L.Bean | None | Dec. 20 |
More holiday shipping information
The following deadlines apply for shipping via USPS, UPS and FedEx:
- United States Post Office: Dec. 20 for first-class mail, Dec. 21 for priority mail, Dec. 22 for express mail
- United Parcel Service: Dec. 23 for next-day air
- FedEx: Dec. 17 for ground or home delivery, Dec. 23 for overnight
