It might still be September, but it’s time to put the latest posting dates to ensure parcels arrive in time for Christmas in your diaries. It might seem a bit early to be talking about Christmas, but as the last date for surface mail is only days away (and doubtless as soon as October arrives the high street shops will put up their Christmas displays), we couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Make sure that as the final posting dates past you either update your postage options or add a note to your shipping information to let customers know that their purchases won’t be delivered in time for Christmas unless they upgrade to a faster service.
International Surface Mail
Monday 30 September
The latest recommended posting date for Christmas delivery to addresses in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Tuesday 1 October
Customers sending cards and gifts to destinations in the Far and Middle East (except Hong Kong and Singapore) are advised to send these items by this date.
Tuesday 15 October
The latest recommended date for the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa.
Tuesday 5 November
For Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Iceland and Malta, the latest recommended posting date for Christmas delivery is Bonfire Night.
Tuesday 19 November
Last date for posting to Western Europe.
Airmail
Latest recommended posting dates for Airmail services are between 29 November and 14 December, depending on the destination.
Friday 29 November
The latest recommended date for any operational British Forces Post Office (BFPO)
Wednesday 4 December
Last date for Asia, the Far East (including Japan) and New Zealand
Thursday 5 December
Australia; Friday 6 December for Africa, Caribbean, Central and South America, Middle East parcels need to be posted
Monday 9 December
Get any parcels despatched for Cyprus and Eastern Europe
Tuesday 10 December
The deadline for Canada, France, Greece and Poland
Friday 13 December
Get your USA and airmail to static BFPOs parcels on their way
Saturday 14 December
Final date to get parcels sent to Western Europe (excluding France, Greece and Poland).
UK post
Wednesday 18 December
The latest recommended date for 2nd Class mail
Friday 20 December
If you’re still posting 1st Class it needs to go today!
and finally Monday 23 December
Good luck – anything sent on the 23rd December will not only have to be Royal Mail Special Delivery but you’d better hope the recipient is at home on Christmas Eve to sign for it.
2 Responses
If anyone wants to print it off here’s a link to the Royal Mail site.
https://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Last_Recommended_Posting_Dates_2013_-_Consumer.pdf
PS Wonder why France is earlier than the rest of Western Europe are there problems with the French equivalent of Royal Mail?
Thanks for the nicely formatted list Tamebay. Now bookmarked.