CHRISTMAS is just two weeks away and you need to get a move on if you want to send gifts and cards to arrive in time by post.
The final dates for sending post by Royal Mail before Christmas are approaching – here is what you need to know.
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Millions of people send cards of gifts by post during the festive season.
But don’t leave it too late or your package may end up arriving late.
Royal Mail has revealed its recommended posting dates to send your gifts in time for Christmas.
The postal service is recommending sending items early, especially if they are going abroad.
It has warned that ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transport as well as local and global deliveries.
The later you leave it, the more you may have to pay to send your parcel to ensure it arrives on time.
The postage price will also depend on the weight of the card or parcel.
Here are the key dates you need to know to beat the festive postal rush.
What are the last posting dates in the UK?
- December 17 – Royal Mail bulk mail economy
- December 18 – 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
What are the last posting dates internationally?
Unfortunately, the recommended deadline for sending international economy packages has passed but you can still send to most places abroad using standard delivery, which will cost more.
The recommended deadlines for standard delivery to the Caribbean, Australia, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Far and Middle East has passed.
The remaining deadlines are:
- 10 December – Cyprus, Malta and Sweden
- 11 December – Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and
Slovakia), Turkey - 13 December – Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, USA
- 16 December – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain,
Switzerland
Packages can be sent through your local Post Office.
Find your nearest Post Office using its locator tool.
Alternatively you could pay for and print your postage at home and drop your items at a postbox or use Royal Mail’s Parcel Collect service.
The collection service costs 60p, on top of postage, and you can book a slot on the Royal Mail website or through its app.
The deadline to secure a letter from Santa through the Royal Mail is also today. Find out how to get a message from Saint Nick.
The best luxury Christmas advent calendars have been revealed – here’s who’s top of the chocs.
Supermarket delivery slots for the Christmas period are expected to be in high demand this year – here are the dates you can get them.
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