Christmas is the busiest time of year for the Royal Mail and the Post Office. With customers and branches continuing to observe social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe, things could take a bit longer than usual.
The Post Offices advises that all customers post early to avoid the rush. Or, if possible, try to visit Post Office Counters at a quieter time.
If you have still left it to the last minute, below are two tables showing the last dates for posting for both UK and international deliveries. We’re still here for you. The Post Office website states, “Please note, they’re correct at the time of publishing but, with the current situation, subject to change.”, so it is advisable to post before these dates.
UK postage destinations
Friday 18 December | 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For |
Monday 21 December | 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 48* |
Tuesday 22 December | Royal Mail Tracked 24* |
Wednesday 23 December | Special Delivery Guaranteed |
International Standard & International tracking and signature services
Friday 4 December | Australia, New Zealand |
Wednesday 9 December | Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, Far and Middle East |
Thursday 10 December | Canada, Cyprus, Malta |
Friday 11 December | Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey |
Saturday 12 December | Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA |
Wednesday 16 December | Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland |
Friday 18 December | Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg |
- More than four in 10 Brits expect their Christmas to be impacted by Covid-19
- More than a fifth have already decided they’ll be sending festive gifts through the post rather than giving in person this year
- Anticipating high demand for Christmas 2020, Post Office is encouraging everyone to plan ahead by posting early

- More than four in 10 Brits expect their Christmas to be impacted by Covid-19
- More than a fifth have already decided they’ll be sending festive gifts through the post rather than giving in person this year
- Anticipating high demand for Christmas 2020, Post Office is encouraging everyone to plan ahead by posting early
Image credits: Royal Mail