Find out when our Dorset and London offices opening times will vary over the 2023 holiday season.
With the holiday season approaching, it would be wise to get a jump start on your posting plans to save yourself from any last-minute seasonal stress. If you rely on the Royal Mail to handle your Christmas deliveries, understanding the deadlines for different regions and postage types can make your life much easier.
For sending packages within the UK, the latest you can ship your items is on Friday, December 22nd. However, if you plan to send mail internationally, your options might be limited after October 7th.
Sending mail in the UK
If you’re sending mail from the UK to another UK address, here are your last chances to send your post:
Monday 18 December
2nd Class
2nd Class Signed For
Tuesday 19 December
1st Class
1st Class Signed For
Wednesday 20 December
Royal Mail Tracked 48®**
Thursday 21 December
Royal Mail Tracked 24®**
Friday 22 December
Special Delivery Guaranteed®
(Guaranteed Saturday delivery for an extra fee)
** Royal Mail Tracked 24® and Royal Mail Tracked 48® are not available to purchase at Post Office® branches.
Sending mail internationally
If you’re sending mail from the UK to an overseas address, here are the last chances to post that you have:
International Tracking and Signature services
Monday 11 December
Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Bulgaria, Caribbean, China (People’s Republic), Far and Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain
Tuesday 12 December
Cyprus and Malta
Wednesday 13 December
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA
International standard (untracked)
Tuesday 5 December
Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, China (People’s Republic), Far and Middle East, New Zealand
Wednesday 6 December
Cyprus and Malta
Thursday 7 December
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic and Poland), France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
Friday 8 December
Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
HM Forces Mail - British Forces Post Office® (BFPO)
Monday 27 November
Operational HM Forces
Monday 4 December
Static HM Forces