Overview
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed and DPD Gold remain available as next‑day, money‑back‑guaranteed options with a final posting date of Tuesday, December 23.
- Earlier cutoffs apply to standard services, with Royal Mail 2nd Class closing Wednesday, December 17, and Royal Mail 1st Class closing Saturday, December 20.
- Key deadlines in the run‑up include Friday, December 19 for Royal Mail Tracked 48 and Parcelforce express48, Saturday, December 20 for DPD 2Day, and Monday, December 22 for Royal Mail Tracked 24, Parcelforce express24, Evri Next Day, and DPD Next Day, which has postcode exceptions.
- The Post Office says most international deadlines have already passed, though some carriers can still reach selected countries until Monday, December 15.
- Postmasters urge secure packaging, clear addressing, accurate contents declarations and customs details for overseas items, noting that perfume is allowed within the UK but not for international posting, and highlight multi‑carrier options and Pick Up & Drop Off collection at selected branches.