Key dates so your Christmas post arrives on time

If you’re planning to send Christmas cards, gifts or little surprises to friends and family, don’t leave it to the last minute. Posting early gives your parcels and letters the best chance of arriving before Christmas Day.

Posting within the UK

Here are Royal Mail's recommended last posting dates for different services. Aim to post before these deadlines wherever you can, especially if you know things might be busy on campus or in town.

• Wednesday 17 December – 2nd Class & Royal Mail Signed For®
• Friday 19 December – Royal Mail Tracked 48®
• Saturday 20 December – 1st Class & Royal Mail Signed For®
• Sunday 21 December – Royal Mail Tracked 24®
• Tuesday 23 December – Special Delivery Guaranteed®

Sending mail overseas

Got family abroad or friends studying in another country? International mail can take longer at the best of times, and Christmas is one of the busiest periods of the year. Give your cards and parcels plenty of extra time to travel, especially if they’re going outside Europe.

Visit the Royal Mail website and enter the country you are posting to check available services. 

Before you head out with your parcels

• Find your closest Post Office
• Check the latest international and UK posting dates
• Look up tracked and signed-for options if you’re sending something important
• Make sure addresses are written clearly and include the correct postcode or country (if you are posting mail overseas, you might need to put your name and address on the package)

You can find up-to-date guidance on all services, tracking options and country-specific timings on the Royal Mail website.