DHL Christmas delivery schedule and last posting dates for 2024
Surprise your loved ones this Christmas by sending them a gift via courier. If you’re thinking of using DHL delivery services this Christmas, check their working days and opening hours during the 2024/2025 holiday season in our guide below.
DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Does DHL work or deliver parcels over Christmas?
Yes, DHL always aims to deliver envelopes and parcels in the shortest time possible, especially at Christmas time. However, bear in mind that this is the busiest time of year for couriers because of the huge increase in shipping volume.
In the UK, Ireland, and most worldwide locations, DHL will not deliver parcels on Christmas Day, but may still perform deliveries on Christmas Eve, depending on the location. For this reason, we recommend sending gifts as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
LAST DAY
DHL last posting dates for Christmas 2024
If you are planning to send your Christmas gifts with DHL this year, it is important to consider their Christmas delivery schedule. Even though DHL is one of the leading international couriers for expedited deliveries, they also face challenges keeping up with the increased number of parcels shipped during the festive season. They do their best to deliver every parcel within the estimated delivery time. Still, delays may occur due to weather conditions, high shipping volume, and other external factors.
To avoid any headache on the delivery of your gifts, we recommend shipping your parcels 3-5 days prior to the date you normally would. This means that for the Express Service where deliveries are normally performed in up to 48h, the last posting date for shipping with DHL would be 20 December.
Please bear in mind that the delivery estimation for international shipments may vary as packages can be held up at customs during this busy period. For cross-border deliveries, we recommend considering 15 December as the last posting date before Christmas for DHL shipments.
DHL working days and opening hours during Christmas 2024 in the UK
Check below the DHL working days and hours during Christmas 2024 and New Year’s 2025 in the UK. The earlier you send your parcels, the better!
| Day | Delivery available | Collection available | Customer service hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 to 22 December | ✓ | ✓ | 7 am – 7 pm |
| Saturday 23 December | ✓ | X | 8 am – 5 pm |
| Christmas Eve (24/12) | X | X | Closed |
| Christmas Day (25/12) | X | X | Closed |
| Boxing Day (26/12) | X | Pre-agreed collections | Closed |
| 27 to 29 December | ✓ | ✓ | 7 am – 7 pm |
| Saturday 30 December | ✓ | X | 8 am – 5 pm |
| New Year’s Eve (31/12) | X | X | Closed |
| New Year’s Day (01/01) | X | Pre-agreed collections | Closed |
WORKING HOURS
What time does DHL stop delivering at Christmas?
DHL works around the clock with prolonged opening hours in the days before Christmas. For this reason, you may experience cases where the courier collects earlier than 9 am or later than 8.30 pm.
On 23 December, DHL will operate with reduced working hours, and there will be no collections. This will also be the final delivery date before Christmas and they will prioritise delivering as many parcels as possible. DHL customer service will have opening hours until 5 pm on this day. This is so that DHL employees can make it home to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones too.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Are DHL delivering on Christmas Eve 2024?
Since 24 December is not considered an official holiday in most countries, DHL normally delivers parcels and gifts on Christmas Eve. This day will fall on a Sunday in 2024, so DHL will not deliver on Christmas Eve this year.
If you want your gift to arrive before the celebrations, we recommend shipping it in advance so that it comes the week before Christmas.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Are DHL delivering on Christmas Day 2024?
25 December is a national or public holiday in most countries of Western Europe and around the world, including the UK and Ireland. For this reason, DHL does not work on Christmas Day – this means that there will be no collections, deliveries or shops open on 25 December. If you need to ship parcels or cards in time for the Christmas party, please do so in advance.
Postal and courier services, including DHL will end their Christmas break and resume normal opening hours on 27 December.
Plan your deliveries on time by checking the courier schedules for Christmas!
BOXING DAY
Are DHL delivering on Boxing Day 2024?
Boxing Day (26 December) is a public holiday in the UK and some Commonwealth countries, such as Australia and Canada. DHL will not perform collections or deliveries on Boxing Day in these locations. Similarly, DHL will not perform deliveries in Ireland on Boxing Day (known as St Stephen’s Day), as this day is a public holiday.
Don’t wait till the last minute; find out more about Boxing Day shipping to make sure your gift deliveries arrive on time!
NEW YEAR
Are DHL delivering over New Year 2024/2025?
In 2024, DHL will have reduced opening hours on 30 December, and they will only be performing deliveries, not collections.
New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday this year, and although 31 December is typically considered a working day in most countries, DHL will not be carrying out collections or deliveries on New Year’s Eve this year.
DHL does not deliver on New Year’s Day as it is a public holiday in the majority of locations around the world. DHL will resume normal services on 2 January 2024 in the UK, except for Scotland, where services will resume on 3 January.
EASY SHIPPING
Send your gifts through Eurosender instead!
At Eurosender, we work with DHL and multiple other renowned international courier companies to ensure you have the best shipping options available. Book your delivery through our platform, and our team will organise every detail of the shipping service on your behalf. We will take over all the communication with the courier company, so you don’t have to worry about anything – all you need to do is pack the gift in a box and wait for the courier to collect it!