Holiday Notices

Overview

This page contains information about EFS warehouse operations during holidays, including closure dates, modified schedules, order cutoff times, and peak season preparations. Updates are posted as holiday schedules are determined and are listed in reverse chronological order (newest first).

Upcoming Holiday Notices

Holiday schedules for 2026 will be posted here as they are determined.

Past Holiday Notices

2025 Holiday Schedule

Holiday closure and schedule information for 2025 would be posted here when available. Currently no 2025-specific holiday notices are present.

2024 Holiday Schedule

Holiday closure and schedule information for 2024 would be posted here when available. Currently no 2024-specific holiday notices are present.

2023 Holiday Schedule

Holiday closure and schedule information for 2023 would be posted here when available. Currently no 2023-specific holiday notices are present.

Typical Holiday Information

While specific dates vary by year, EFS typically observes the following holidays with warehouse closures or modified schedules:

Major U.S. Holidays Observed:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

What to Expect During Holidays:

Warehouse Closures:

• No order processing on observed holidays
• No receiving operations on observed holidays
• No customer service phone support (Zendesk tickets still monitored)

Before Holidays:

• Order cutoff times may be earlier
• Receiving may have modified schedules
• Consider submitting orders early for time-sensitive shipments

After Holidays:

• Processing may be 1-2 days behind normal schedule
• Receiving may have temporary backlog
• Allow extra time for inventory to be processed

Peak Season (Q4):

• Extended processing times during November-December
• Earlier order cutoff times for holiday delivery
• Increased volume may affect receiving timelines
• Carrier delays more common
• Plan inventory shipments well in advance

Planning for Holidays

Order Processing

Before a Holiday:

• Submit time-sensitive orders at least 2 business days before the holiday
• Choose expedited shipping if delivery timing is critical
• Communicate with customers about potential delays

After a Holiday:

• Allow extra time for processing to catch up
• Check Service Alerts for current processing timelines

Inventory Shipments

Avoid shipping inventory to arrive:

• On or immediately before holidays
• During the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• Without advance communication during peak season

Best practices:

• Complete ASN well in advance
• Communicate any time-sensitive inventory needs
• Plan for longer receiving times during Q4
• Schedule containers/large shipments around holidays

Customer Communication

Inform your customers about:

• Holiday shipping cutoff dates
• Expected delivery delays during holidays
• Extended processing times during peak season
• Carrier delays during high-volume periods

Peak Season Preparation

Q4 Planning (October – December)

Inventory Management:

• Stock up well before Thanksgiving
• Account for longer receiving times
• Don’t wait until last minute to send inventory
• Monitor stock levels closely

Order Volume:

• Expect longer processing times during peak
• Plan for increased order volume
• Consider earlier order submission
• Communicate with customers about delivery times

Shipping Considerations:

• Carrier capacity is limited during peak
• Residential delivery delays are common
• Weather can impact transit times
• International shipments take longer

Communication:

• Watch for peak season announcements
• Check Service Alerts regularly
• Submit questions via Zendesk early
• Plan ahead for any special needs

Holiday Cutoff Dates

Typical Cutoff Guidelines (specific dates announced annually):

For Christmas Delivery:

• Ground shipping: Usually mid-December cutoff
• Expedited shipping: Usually 1 week before Christmas
• Express shipping: Usually 2-3 days before Christmas
• International: Usually early December cutoff

For New Year’s Delivery:

• Similar timing to Christmas
• Account for warehouse closure between holidays

Exact dates announced: Check this page for specific cutoff dates as holidays approach.

International Shipping During Holidays

Additional considerations for international orders:

Longer Transit Times:

• Customs processing delays during holidays
• International carriers experience delays
• Some countries have extended holiday closures

Cutoff Dates:

• International orders need much earlier cutoffs
• Some destinations may be 3-4 weeks before holiday
• Check with carriers for specific country guidelines

Communication:

• Set clear expectations with international customers
• Consider pausing international shipping during peak if capacity is limited
• Provide tracking and updates proactively

Checking Holiday Status

Stay Informed

Where to find holiday information:

• Check this page regularly for announcements
• Monitor email notifications from EFS
• Review FCP welcome page messages
• Subscribe to SMS notifications

When to check:

• Beginning of each quarter for upcoming holidays
• Early October for Q4/peak season planning
• At least 1 month before major holidays
• Before planning large inventory shipments

Contact Us

Holiday-related questions:

• Submit via Zendesk ticket system
• Contact your Client Care Account Specialist
• Plan ahead – don’t wait until holiday week

For time-sensitive concerns:

• Submit tickets well in advance
• Provide as much detail as possible
• Allow time for response and planning

Typical Holiday FAQs

Will orders placed on holidays be processed?

No, the warehouse is closed on observed holidays. Orders will be processed the next business day.

Can I ship inventory to arrive on a holiday?

You can ship it, but it won’t be received on the holiday. Receiving will process when warehouse reopens. We recommend avoiding holiday arrival dates.

How do I know if a holiday will affect my orders?

Check this page for holiday announcements. We typically announce closures and schedule changes 2-4 weeks in advance.

What about orders already in process when holiday occurs?

Orders already picked and packed before the holiday will typically ship that day or when operations resume, but no new orders will be processed on the holiday itself.

How early should I submit orders for holiday delivery?

For ground shipping, submit at least 1 week before the holiday. For specific delivery dates, check our announced cutoff times on this page.

What happens during peak season?

Processing times extend by 1-2 business days typically. Receiving times may extend by 3-5 business days. Specific timelines announced on Service Alerts page.

Archive

Older holiday notices are available by contacting Customer Service if needed for reference.

Plan ahead: Holiday and peak season planning is critical for smooth operations. Check this page regularly, especially in Q4, and communicate any time-sensitive needs well in advance.

Questions about holiday schedules? Contact your Client Care Account Specialist via Zendesk.