Last Christmas post dates for 1st class, 2nd and international mail

With Christmas less than three weeks away, don’t miss the deadline to send your festive greetings and gifts to loved ones both in the UK and abroad by post.

The Royal Mail delivers post right up until Monday December 23, but some of the last posting dates before Christmas come as early as next week, so make sure you know when the latest recommended posting dates are for the mail you need to send.

If you’re sending mail abroad, the Post Office recommend posting your letters or parcels as early as possible to avoid disappointment and make sure that they arrive at their intended destination in time.

While you have a little longer to get your mail into a postbox for UK deliveries, it’s always worth sending envelopes and packages as soon as you can to ensure their prompt arrival at such a busy time of year for the postal services.

Royal mail post: Christmas dates

When is the last day for second class post in UK before Christmas?

The last recommended day for Royal Mail 2nd Class & 2nd Class Signed For post, intended for a UK address, is Wednesday 18 December.

While there is nothing to stop you posting a Christmas card or gift after this date and keeping your fingers crossed that it will arrive on time, the 18th is the last date on which the Post Office advises sending something you want to arrive in time for Christmas Day.

When is the last day for first class post in UK before Christmas?

The last recommended posting date for items sent via Royal Mail 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For, Parcelforce Worldwide express48 and express48large is Friday 20 December. Items posted after this date may not arrive at their intended destination in time for Christmas.

For those leaving things to the very last minute, you can send post using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, Parcelforce Worldwide express24, AM, 9 & 10 as late as Monday 23 December and it should still arrive in time for Christmas – but this service comes at a premium price.

When is the last recommended posting date for addresses abroad?

The last recommended posting date for sending mail abroad varies depending on the destination.

If sending mail to countries in Africa, the Middle East or Asia, the last recommended posting date in on Monday 9 December.

For Cyprus and Malta the deadline is Tuesday 10 December and for Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia) the final date is Wednesday 11 December.

Anyone sending mail over to Greece or Turkey has slightly longer, with the last recommended posting date for these countries being Thursday 12 December.

What is the last Christmas post date for Australia and New Zealand?

If you’re planning on sending festive greetings or gifts across to the other side of the world, you have until Thursday 12 December to post your parcel in order to guarantee that it will make it to Australia or New Zealand in time for Christmas.

What is the last Christmas post date for Canada and the USA?

For Canada and the USA, the last recommended posting date before Christmas is Saturday 14 December, although as with all Christmas post, you are advised to send your items as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

What is the last Christmas post date for European countries?

The last Christmas post date for European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain can be found below.

For those sending post by HM Forces Mail (BFPO), the deadline for Airmail to Static BFPOs is Friday 13 December.

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