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Christmas is just over a month away, and with people all across the country buying and sending presents and cards, Royal Mail have shared their last posting dates to ensure everything arrives in time for the special day.
If you’re planning on sending things internationally, you don’t have long left to post. However, if you’re sending stuff around the UK you have slightly longer to do so.
Sharing the last possible dates for when to post your gifts and cards to ensure they arrive on time, Royal Mail have collated all the dates you need to know for posting over the next few weeks leading to Christmas. And with industrial action set to disrupt services this year, it may be better to act sooner rather than later.
Read More: Full list of post strikes in run-up to Christmas
Along with it already being a busy period, strikes by workers in the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have been confirmed on November 24, 25, 30 and December 1, with the potential for more dates to be added.
It has been advised to try post early to avoid any potential delays due to the extreme amount of post over the Christmas period. Here is a list of posting dates to make sure all your festive goods arrive on time:
The last UK posting dates for Christmas delivery
- December 16 – Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
- December 19 – 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48
- December 21 – 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24, Royal Mail Tracked 48
- December 22 – Royal Mail tracked 24
- December 23 -Special Delivery Guaranteed
Or if you’re planning on posting further afield, here are the dates for the last possible posting dates for International postings.
International standard and international tracking and signature services
- December 1 – Australia and New Zealand
- December 2 – China (People’s Republic)
- December 5 – All remaining Caribbean destinations
- December 7 – Africa, Asia (except China, People’s Republic), Central and South America, Far and Middle East
- December 8 – Cyprus and Malta
- December 9 – Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey
- December 10 – Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
- December 12 – Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland
- December 14 – Belgium, France, Luxembourg
Any further information along with common questions can be found on the Royal Mail’s website, including any updates and changes.
History of Post Office and Christmas deliveries
The Post Office dates all the way back to 1660, when another King Charles (the second) was on the throne. The first postal stamp was used the following year.
The first post men began delivering mail in 1793, while distribution centres began being established in the early 19th century. The popular Penny Black stamp appeared in 1840 – the first for sending letters. Post boxes began appearing in 1852.
The modern custom of sending Christmas cards dates from 1843. A civil servant called Sir Henry Cole and an artist called John Horsley designed the first card and printed around 1,000. The growth of the postal service helped popularise the custom.
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