Last posting dates for Christmas 2021

Please bear in mind that although these are the official deadlines from Royal Mail there are likely to be disruptions worldwide due to the pandemic. With that in mind, it's better to err on the side of caution and try to avoid posting too close to the deadline, if you can, to avoid your presents and Christmas cards being held up by staff shortages in countries badly affected by Covid-19.

International Christmas post deadlines:

International Economy, previously Surface Mail

Monday September 13: Australia, New Zealand and all other non-European destinations (except Canada, USA, South Africa, Middle and Far East)

Friday October 15: South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Middle and Far East

Monday November 1: Canada, USA,

Friday November 26: Cyprus, Greece, Eastern Europe, Iceland, Malta and Turkey

Monday November 29: Western Europe

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International Standard (previously Airmail) and all International Tracking and Signature Services (previously Airsure and International Signed For)

Wednesday December 1: Caribbean

Monday December 6: Australia, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal

Wednesday December 8: Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Far East, Middle East

Friday December 10: Cyprus, Malta, Sweden

Saturday December 11: Eastern Europe (except Czech Reupublic, Poland and Slovakia), Turkey

Monday December 13: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Poland and USA 

Thursday December 16: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland

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International HM Forces Mail – British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Monday November 29: Airmail to Operational HM Forces

Monday December 6: Airmail to Static HM Forces

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Domestic Christmas post deadlines

Friday December 17: Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy

Saturday December 18: 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For and Royal Mail 48

Tuesday December 21: 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48*

Wednesday December 22: Royal Mail Tracked 24*

Thursday December 23: Special Delivery Guaranteed

*Please note that you can't buy Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 services at Post Office branches.

Paying for postage online

Did you know you can buy and print your own labels from home to avoid a trip to the post office? This Click & Drop service is only available online at the Royal Mail website. You can pay for and print out postage for these items at home, then drop them off at a Customer Service Point (usually found in Royal Mail Delivery Offices).

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