While Christmas may still seem a while away, it’s worth getting clued up on the Royal Mail and Post Office’s last posting dates, as some deadlines are fast approaching, and some have already passed.
But don’t panic, for those only sending within the UK – the last posting dates aren’t until December. For 2nd Class Post, the cut-off is Wednesday, December 18 and for 1st Class, it’s Friday, December 20.
For items sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24, the deadline is Saturday, December 21, and for Special Delivery Guaranteed, you can send it as late as Monday, December 23. However, if you’re sending internationally, you may have already missed your chance.
Different dates apply for international posting depending on whether you send from a Post Office or directly with Royal Mail, as reported in MyLondon.
Royal Mail’s last Christmas posting dates
If you are sending post via International Economy, two dates have already passed for most non-European countries. The next deadline is for Canada and the USA, which is Wednesday, November 6, followed by Europe on Monday, December 2.
Those using International Tracking and Signature services, depending on where you are sending to, need to get packages off by December 7, 9, 11, 13 or 16. For International Standard (Untracked), the deadlines are December 3, 4, 5 or 6.
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People looking to post to someone in the Royal Forces, the deadline for Operational HM Forces is Wednesday, November 27 and for Static HM Forces is Wednesday, December 4.
Post Office last Christmas posting dates
For those sending from a Post Office the dates are sooner than directly with Royal Mail. For International Economy from the Post Office, two dates have already passed for a majority of non-European countries and the deadline for Canada and the USA is today (October 31). For Europe, it is Monday, November 25.
If you send International Tracking and Signature services the deadlines are on December 2, 3, 6 and 10 depending on where you are sending. For International Standard (Untracked) you need to send by November 26, 27, 28 or 29.
For sending to the Royal Forces from a Post Office, the deadlines are the same as with Royal Mail. The Operational HM Forces deadline is Wednesday, November 27 and for Static HM Forces it is Wednesday, December 4.
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