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Christmas marks the peak period for posting cards and parcels to family and friends throughout the UK, but Royal Mail has issued an important message. Numerous people rely on their services to deliver festive cheer to those living far away.
Whilst some individuals organise their Christmas purchases well in advance and dispatch their parcels early, others tend to delay until much later. Nevertheless, anyone intending to use Royal Mail’s services for sending their Christmas cards and gifts has been cautioned regarding the final posting deadlines.
The postal company has revealed the precise dates by which items must be posted to guarantee delivery by Christmas Day. For post being sent within the UK, Wednesday, December 17 is the final date to send Second Class and Second Class Signed For items.
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Just two days later, on Friday, December 19, is the last date to post Royal Mail Tracked 48. This is also the last posting date for Royal Mail Tracked Returns 48 to arrive back to the sender before Christmas.
First Class and First Class Signed For items need to be sent by Saturday, December 20. If using Royal Mail Tracked 24, these need to be sent by Sunday, December 21.
Tuesday, December 23, is the final date to use Special Delivery Guaranteed.
Royal Mail stated: “Last posting dates are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. It’s always advisable to post as early as possible to ensure that your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time.”
The organisation has also issued a caution to those planning international deliveries. Royal Mail explained: “As we approach the busiest time of year, international delivery services experience much higher volumes of parcels and letters.”, reports the Express.
“To help ensure your items arrive in time for Christmas, we strongly recommend posting as early as possible.”
Parcelforce has announced its final dispatch dates to guarantee Christmas Day arrival. For their express48 service, items must be posted by Friday, December 19.
The deadline for express10, expressPM and express24 is Monday, December 22. The Post Office anticipates its busiest day to be on December 8.
According to a survey conducted for the Post Office, Brits are planning to send more gifts this Christmas compared to last year – an increase from 20% to 33%. The survey revealed that 34% of Britons view sending Christmas parcels and cards as an important festive tradition.
However, only 33% plan to post their gifts and cards by early to mid-December, while 8% confess to sending everything in the week leading up to Christmas.
Post Office branches can be utilised to collect or drop off prepaid parcels, not only with Royal Mail and Parcelforce, but also Amazon, DPD, DHL and Evri at selected branches.
