With Christmas Day drawing near, households across the UK are entering the final stretch of festive preparations. For anyone sending gifts to distant family or awaiting crucial online orders, the countdown to the postal deadlines is now critical.
The Post Office has already issued a nationwide reminder for customers to verify the final recommended posting dates for domestic services to avoid festive disappointment. Leading delivery firms, including Royal Mail, DPD, Yodel, and Evri, have each published their own last-gasp deadlines to guarantee pre-Christmas arrival.
Key Courier Deadlines for Christmas 2025
It is vital to note that these dates can vary between services and remain subject to potential change. While posting early is the best strategy to sidestep last-minute panic, those who have left it late still have a window of opportunity. Here is a comprehensive guide to the final posting dates for major UK postal and courier companies.
Royal Mail and Parcelforce Final Dates
For items sent via the Royal Mail network, the deadlines are staggered based on the service level. For Royal Mail Tracked 48, the final date is Friday, 19 December. Those relying on Royal Mail 1st Class or 1st Class Signed For must post by Saturday, 20 December.
The cutoff for Royal Mail Tracked 24 is Monday, 22 December, while the latest possible service is Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, which must be sent by Tuesday, 23 December.
For larger parcels via Parcelforce Worldwide, the deadlines are similar. Express48 and Express48 Large require posting by Friday, 19 December. The final date for Express10 and ExpressAM is Saturday, 20 December, and for Express24 it is Monday, 22 December.
Private Courier Firm Deadlines
Major private delivery companies have also outlined their festive schedules. For DPD, the last date for its 2Day service is Saturday, 20 December. The deadlines for Next Day and Next Day by 12pm are Monday, 22 December, with the premium DPD Gold service accepting parcels until Tuesday, 23 December.
Evri has set its final date for Standard delivery as Friday, 19 December, while its Next Day service runs until Monday, 22 December.
Yodel has announced that the absolute last day to dispatch any parcel for pre-Christmas delivery is Friday, 19 December.
Retail and International Courier Cut-Offs
Amazon's delivery schedules can fluctuate depending on the specific item and the user's membership status. Historically, the deadline for standard delivery for non-Prime members has fallen around Friday, 19 December. The final date for express delivery is typically Tuesday, 23 December, but this is heavily item-dependent.
For international and express services, UPS sets its final date for UPS Express international shipments as Friday, 19 December. Its UK Next Day service will collect parcels on Tuesday, 23 December for delivery on Christmas Eve.
Similarly, FedEx International Express shipments must be sent by Friday, 19 December. For FedEx UK Next Day domestic service, the final posting date is Sunday, 21 December.
With the clock ticking, checking these deadlines directly with the chosen courier or retailer before posting is the surest way to guarantee your gifts and essentials arrive beneath the tree in time for Christmas morning.
