ANYONE sending packages abroad needs to get their skates on if they want delivery by Christmas guaranteed.
Last dates for posting to some countries are fast approaching – though you have a little longer to send letters and parcels to addresses in the UK.
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Royal mail has revealed its last posting dates for Christmas and if you miss them it could mean your gift or card won’t reach loved ones in time.
You’ll have to send anything abroad earlier than if it was local, as it takes longer to get there.
The earlier you post the better though, as the pandemic is still ongoing and you don’t want to risk any unforeseen delays.
The postal service is reminding people on its website to “allow plenty of time for posting”.
It said: “Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries.
“Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.”
Here are the dates you need to know – from earliest to latest.
But if you’re sending a letter to Santa this Christmas, different dates apply. You can find out when and where to send them in our guide.
What are the last posting dates internationally?
International economy
- November 1 – Canada and USA
- November 26 – Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Turkey
- November 29 – Western Europe
Unfortunately the deadline has already passed for all non-European destinations, other than those mentioned above, including Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa.
But you can still send via standard delivery (more below) though this will cost more than economy.
International standard and international tracking and signature services
- 1 December – Caribbean
- 6 December – Australia, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal
- 8 December – Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Far and Middle East
- 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
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
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