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Make sure your cards and parcels arrive in time
The Post Office has released its final Christmas posting deadlines to help ensure presents reach their destinations before the big day.
A Post Office survey revealed that a staggering 67 per cent of Britons have experienced the disappointment of receiving Christmas cards and gifts through the post after December 25. Whilst most international posting deadlines have already passed, certain carriers continue to provide Christmas delivery services to selected destinations until December 15.
Postmasters are encouraging customers to dispatch their items early to avoid joining the 17 per cent who have previously missed the crucial deadlines. For those willing to spend a little extra in Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed or DPD Gold services – both offering next-day delivery with a money-back guarantee – the final posting date for Christmas gifts and cards is December 23.
Postmaster Arif Patel said: “After 15 years as a postmaster, I’ve seen it all when it comes to festive sending, and a little preparation really helps everything go smoothly so here are my top tips to ensure precious gifts arrive on time. When you’re posting a parcel, we’ll always ask what’s inside as we need to find out if it’s safe to post and make sure your item can be sent to its destination. For example, perfume can be sent within the UK but not overseas.”
He added: “We’ll also check the value, how quickly you want it delivered and what tracking you want which helps us recommend the best delivery option.”
Mr Patel encouraged customers to wrap parcels properly to guarantee protection and to write addresses, including return details, as legibly as possible. When posting internationally, information regarding the contents must be supplied to ensure accurate customs documentation complies with global requirements.
The Post Office provides delivery services from carriers beyond Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide, with alternatives from Evri and DPD available at chosen branches.
Candice Ohandjanian, mails and parcels director at the Post Office, commented: “We’re at that time of year when celebrations are in full swing but we still have important last-minute present-buying to do. We know customers want to make the most of the festive season – not wait at home for deliveries. That’s why our convenient Pick Up and Drop Off service continues to be a favourite, especially during this busy period.”
She added: “By choosing your local Post Office branch as a delivery address, customers can collect parcels at a time that suits them, with the reassurance that we’ll keep everything safe and secure. It’s all part of our commitment to being the one-stop shop for all your posting and parcel needs this festive season.”
Final posting dates
- Last Royal Mail 2nd Class: Wednesday December 17
- Last Parcelforce express48 date: Friday December 19
- Last Royal Mail Tracked 48 date: Friday December 19
- Last Evri Standard date: Friday December 19
- Last Royal Mail 1st Class date: Saturday December 20 Final DPD 2Day date: Saturday December 20
- Last Parcelforce express24 date: Monday December 22
- Final Royal Mail Tracked 24 date: Monday December 22
- Last Evri Next Day date: Monday December 22
- Final DPD Next Day date: Monday December 22 (some postcode exceptions)
- Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed: Tuesday December 23
- DPD Gold: Tuesday December 23
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It’s almost that time of year again! Christmas is basically here. There are all sorts of things to do in and around London for the festive period – from sipping mulled wine at a market to finding the best bargains on gifts.
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