Royal Mail has issued a crucial festive alert to millions of Britons planning to send Christmas cards and parcels this year. With the postal service entering its peak period, the company has published its final recommended posting dates to guarantee delivery before Christmas Day 2025.
UK Final Posting Dates for Christmas 2025
The postal operator has laid out a clear schedule, urging customers to act early to avoid disappointment. For items sent within the United Kingdom, Wednesday, 17 December 2025 is the final date to dispatch Second Class and Second Class Signed For mail.
The deadline for Royal Mail Tracked 48 services falls on Friday, 19 December. This is also the cut-off for Royal Mail Tracked Returns 48 items if senders wish them to be returned before the festive break.
Senders using First Class and First Class Signed For services must post their items by Saturday, 20 December. For the faster Royal Mail Tracked 24 option, the last posting date is Sunday, 21 December.
Those requiring absolute certainty for valuable or urgent items can use the Special Delivery Guaranteed service up until Tuesday, 23 December.
Royal Mail emphasised in a statement: "Last posting dates are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. It's always advisable to post as early as possible to ensure that your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time."
International Post and Parcelforce Deadlines
The company has also issued specific guidance for international festive deliveries. Royal Mail explained that international services experience significantly higher volumes during the festive season and strongly recommends posting overseas items as early as possible.
Parcelforce Worldwide, which handles larger parcels, has announced its own final dispatch dates. Customers using the express48 service must post by Friday, 19 December. The cut-off for the faster express10, expressPM, and express24 services is Monday, 22 December.
Festive Posting Habits and Services
The warnings come as research indicates a notable shift in British festive habits. A recent survey conducted for the Post Office reveals that 33% of Britons plan to send more presents this Christmas compared to last year, a substantial increase from 20%.
The study also found that 34% of people consider sending Christmas parcels and cards a key part of their holiday traditions. However, postal habits remain last-minute for many, with only 33% intending to post their items by early to mid-December. A further 8% admit they will be sending everything in the week immediately before Christmas.
The Post Office is preparing for its busiest day of the year, predicted to be 8 December 2025. Branches across the country offer services beyond Royal Mail and Parcelforce, including drop-off and collection points for Amazon, DPD, DHL, and Evri at selected locations.
With the festive season fast approaching, Royal Mail's clear message is to plan ahead and post early, ensuring that gifts and greetings arrive in time to spread Christmas cheer.
