Related Articles
With postal workers set to launch a fresh wave of strikes throughout December, plans to post gifts in the run up to Christmas have been left in disarray.
Royal Mail has been urging customers to “allow plenty of time” for posting items this year, but there are alternatives to work around the latest industrial action.
Here are some of the couriers and Christmas delivery services to use instead this festive period.
UPS
UPS has said that it has ramped up its operation to meet the increased seasonal demand. Across Europe it has implemented extra weekend sorts, hired more than 1,050 seasonal drivers and helpers, and added over 1,000 additional subcontractor delivery routes.
Setting out its operating hours during the holiday season, the courier said that it expects its busiest day to be December 14.
The company will run all of its services until December 23. Only UPS Express will operate on December 24 and there will be no service on December 25, 26 or 27.
Prices start from: £5.63
FedEx
FedEx will be running a regular service until December 23. It has said that December 24 will run a Saturday deliveries only service with no collections taking place. There will be no service on December 25, 26 or 27.
In order to ensure smooth delivery over the festive period, the company has urged its customers to make sure all their paperwork is in order and has advised to book shipment slots early.
Prices start from: £6.95
Evri
Evri, previously Hermes, has also set out its domestic posting deadlines ahead of the festive season. December 20 will be the last day for courier collections.
December 21 is the last day customers can send a parcel by standard delivery, and on December 22, sending a parcel next day delivery will be the only available option – both of which need to be done by 11am.
Prices start from: £2.69
Parcelforce
Parcelforce has stressed to customers that “the earlier you send the better” to ensure all packages arrive in time for Christmas.
The cut off date for its two-day delivery service is December 21, with December 22 being the final chance to use its next day delivery option.
Last posting dates for other countries vary, with further details available on the company’s website.
Prices start from: £8.95
DPD Local
DPD Local has been advising customers to book their slots early.
The courier will run a normal service until December 23 and, on Christmas Eve, it will run a deliveries only service. There will be no services available from December 25 to December 27.
For anyone hoping to post a parcel to Europe, the last shipping date in time for Christmas is December 9.
Prices start from: £3.59
DHL
DHL has also employed more staff to work in its sorting hubs as well as drivers to deal with the increased festive demand.
The company has said that its delivery services will run as normal until December 22. On December 23, although parcel collection services are available, the delivery date would not be until December 28.
Prices start from: £2.79
This article is kept updated with the latest information.
Source link
