
We’re are now in December, the Christmas tree will soon be in place, festive songs are on the radio and the shopping for gifts will be well underway.
For many of us either buying gifts online or sending items to loved ones in the post, postage deadlines are important. We want to make sure our packages arrive on time.
If you are using UK Royal Mail services, this list will provide you with all you need to know in terms of this year’s holiday postage deadlines.
Sending mail within the UK

If you are sending mail or packages within the UK, either via online shopping portals, a virtual mailbox, or simply posting yourself, these are the dates you need to keep in mind.
Essentially, each is the cut-off date for the service involved if you want to guarantee delivery before Christmas day.
Friday 17th December
- Royal Mail bulk mail economy
Saturday 18th December
- 2nd class
- 2nd class signed for
- Royal Mail 48
Tuesday 21 December
- 1st class
- 1st class signed for
- Royal Mail 24
- Mail Mail tracked 48
Thursday 23 December
- Special delivery guaranteed
Sending mail from the UK to Overseas (International Postage)

If you are sending mail or packages overseas the cut-off dates are clearly going to be earlier.
The important advice is to give yourself (and your parcel) as much time as possible.
Delays, weather, and a stretched postal service over the holiday period can all get in the way of your mail arriving on time.
If you are sending mail overseas, these are the cut-off dates to remember.
- Related Content: Item Has Left Our International Processing Centre – Royal Mail
Standard, tracked & signed for services
Wednesday 1st December
- Caribbean
Monday 6th December
- Australia
- New Zealand
Wednesday 8th December
- Africa
- Asia
- Central and South America
- Far and Middle East
Friday 10th December
- Cyprus
- Malta
Saturday 11th December
- Eastern Europe (excluding Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia)
- Greece
- Turkey
Monday 13th December
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Italy
- Poland
- Sweden
- USA
Thursday 16th December
- Austria
- Denmark
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Switzerland
Saturday 18th December
- Belgium
- France
- Luxembourg
HM Forces
For overseas mail sent to HM forces, the following cut off dates apply:
Monday 29th November
- Airmail to operational HM Forces
Monday 6th December
- Airmail to static HM Forces
For US based holiday postage delivery deadlines in 2021, head here.
- Related Content: Langley HWDC – A Complete Guide (Royal Mail Tracking)
I’m a 25 year veteran of USPS. I’m retired now, but as the editor of Mailbox Master, I can’t quite remove myself from the carrier industry just yet. 🙂