With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start planning gift and card deliveries for loved ones who are far away. Find out if Royal Mail delivers parcels on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check the Royal Mail delivery schedule and last posting dates for Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023.
DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Yes, like all postal and courier services, Royal Mail works around the clock with prolonged opening hours on the days before Christmas to deliver as many parcels as possible. Bear in mind that this is the busiest time of year for the post because of the huge increase in shipping volume. We recommend sending your gifts in advance so that there is more chance of them being delivered in time for Christmas.
LAST DAY
It is important to be aware of Royal Mail’s last posting dates for Christmas when shipping your parcels. Royal Mail and other courier companies normally extend their estimated delivery times towards the end of December to handle their busy workload. If you want your parcel to arrive before Christmas, we recommend not leaving it for the last minute, but rather shipping ahead to make sure your present is delivered on time.
Please consider that during the month of December, postal and shipping services handle a higher number of shipments than usual and may face additional delays due to adverse weather conditions.
See below the summary of the last posting dates before Christmas for each Royal Mail service. Plan your Christmas delivery accordingly, but remember that the earlier you send your items, the better.
| Royal Mail service | Last posting date |
|---|---|
| Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy | Friday 16 December |
| 2nd Class | Monday 19 December |
| 2nd Class Signed For | Monday 19 December |
| Royal Mail 48 | Monday 19 December |
| 1st Class | Wednesday 21 December |
| 1st Class Signed For | Wednesday 21 December |
| Royal Mail 24 | Wednesday 21 December |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | Wednesday 21 December |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | Thursday 22 December |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Thursday 22 December |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed with Saturday Guarantee | Friday 23 December |
The last Christmas posting date with Royal Mail may vary depending on the destination country and service selected. In the table below, you will find a summary of the Royal Mail last posting dates before Christmas to major destinations around the world using the International Economy and International Standard services. However, we strongly recommend checking the time estimation for your specific route with the postal company when you book the service.
| Shipping Route | International Economy | International Standard |
|---|---|---|
| UK – Canada & USA | Monday 31 October | Saturday 10 December |
| UK – Middle East & Asia | Friday 14 October | Wednesday 21 December |
| UK – Western Europe | Monday 28 November | Monday 12 December |
| UK – Eastern Europe | Friday 25 November | Friday 9 December |
| UK – Caribbean | N/A | Monday 5 December |
| UK – Australia & New Zealand | N/A | Thursday 1 December |
Check below Royal Mail’s collection and delivery schedule during Christmas 2022 and New Year’s 2023 in the UK. Days that are not mentioned are considered normal working days.
| Day | Delivery available | Collection available |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve (24/12) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Christmas Day (25/12) | X | X |
| Boxing Day (26/12) | X | X |
| Christmas Day Substitute (27/12) | X | X |
| New Year's Eve (31/12) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Year's Day (01/01) | X | X |
| New Year Bank Holiday (02/01)* | X | X |
WORKING HOURS
Royal Mail opening hours over Christmas will vary depending on your location and nearest branch. In normal times, the postal service aims to deliver all parcels by 3 pm in urban areas and by 4 pm in rural areas. However, Royal Mail delivery times at Christmas may be extended in some specific circumstances, especially for locations that are remote or difficult to access.
You can rest assured that Royal Mail does everything they can to deliver as many parcels as possible before the Christmas holidays, even offering Sunday services in some locations during December. Royal Mail will almost certainly extend their opening hours and delivery times at Christmas in 2022 to manage the increased volume of shipments.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Many people wonder if there is Royal Mail postal delivery on Christmas Eve, and the answer is yes! 24 December is not considered a public holiday in the UK. For this reason, Royal Mail will perform deliveries on Christmas Eve, following their regular working hours in most locations.
If you have a last-minute item to send, Royal Mail performs so-called “Eve” collections between 11 am to 2 pm on 24 December.
If the Royal Mail is not able to deliver your parcel on Christmas Eve because no one was at home, you will have to pick up the parcel at a local branch office during the following working days. So, if you are expecting a delivery, make sure someone is present at the address to receive the parcel.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas Day, 25 December, is considered a public holiday in the UK, Ireland, and most worldwide countries. Royal Mail will not perform deliveries or collections on Christmas Day 2022.
Additionally, since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, a substitute holiday will be observed in the UK the following Tuesday. For this reason, Royal Mail will not perform deliveries on Christmas Day or on 27 December 2022.
Plan your deliveries on time this year by checking the courier schedules for Christmas!
BOXING DAY
Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK and some Commonwealth countries on 26 December and is a public holiday. Royal Mail will not perform deliveries or collections on Boxing Day 2022.
Courier and postal services, including Royal Mail will end their Christmas break and resume normal opening hours on 28 December.
Don’t leave it till the last minute, find out more about Boxing Day shipping to make sure your cards and presents arrive on time!
NEW YEAR
31 December is a working day in most countries, and couriers such as Royal Mail have reduced opening hours on New Year’s Eve, like Christmas Eve.
New Year’s Eve will fall on a Saturday in 2022, so Royal Mail deliveries on this day will depend on weekend delivery availability at your destination.
Royal Mail does not deliver on New Year’s Day as it is a public holiday in the majority of locations around the world. Royal Mail will resume normal services on 3 January 2023 in the UK, except for Scotland, where services will resume on 4 January 2023.
EASY SHIPPING
At Eurosender, we work with several 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!