Last Royal Mail Christmas post dates 2022 revealed for letters and packages – including shipping abroad

IF YOU’RE still to send packages abroad for Christmas – you’ll need to organise sending them quite soon.

Last dates for posting to some countries are fast approaching – though you have a little longer to send letters and parcels to addresses in the UK.

Royal mail has revealed its last posting dates for Christmas and if you miss them it could mean your gift or card won’t reach loved ones in time.

You’ll have to send anything abroad earlier than if it was local, as it takes longer to get there.

The earlier you post the better though, as you don’t want to risk unforeseen delays.

Here are the dates you need to know – from earliest to latest.

What are the last posting dates internationally?

International economy

• November 25 – Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Turkey
• November 28 – Western Europe

Unfortunately the deadline has already passed for all non-European destinations, other than those mentioned above, including Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa.

It’s also too late to send parcels to Canada and USA.

But you can still send via standard delivery (more below) though this will cost more than economy.

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

The deadline has unfortunately passed for British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Anguilla.

What are the last posting dates in the UK?

• 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

We’ve written a full list of Christmas restaurant menus released – read here.

Meanwhile, cafe chains like Costa and Starbucks have also revealed their Christmas offerings this year.

You can also find out what supermarkets like Asda and Aldi are selling this year.