Royal Mail has issued a crucial seasonal alert, revealing the final posting dates for 2025 to ensure parcels and cards reach their destinations before Christmas Day. The postal service is urging customers across the UK to act promptly to avoid festive disappointment.
UK Christmas Posting Deadlines: A Date-by-Date Guide
The company has published a clear schedule of cut-off dates for its domestic services. The last recommended date for sending Second Class and Second Class Signed For items within the UK is Wednesday, 17 December 2025. For those using the more tracked services, Royal Mail Tracked 48 and Tracked Returns 48 items must be posted by Friday, 19 December.
The deadline for First Class and First Class Signed For mail is Saturday, 20 December. If you are relying on the faster Tracked 24 service, you have until Sunday, 21 December to post. For absolute last-minute guarantees, the final date for using the Special Delivery Guaranteed service is Tuesday, 23 December 2025.
International Post and Parcelforce Cut-Offs
Royal Mail has also issued specific advice for international deliveries. Due to significantly higher volumes during the peak festive period, customers are strongly advised to post items for overseas destinations as early as possible to account for potential delays.
Parcelforce Worldwide, part of Royal Mail Group, has simultaneously announced its own express service deadlines. The cut-off for its express48 service is Friday, 19 December. For its faster express10, expressPM, and express24 services, the final posting date is Monday, 22 December 2025.
Planning Ahead for the Festive Rush
The Post Office has predicted that its busiest day for posting in the run-up to Christmas will be Monday, 8 December. This forecast aligns with findings from a recent survey, which indicated a potential bottleneck in posting habits.
The survey revealed that while Britons plan to send more presents this year, only a third intend to post their gifts and cards by early to mid-December. This suggests many may risk missing the recommended deadlines. Royal Mail's overarching advice is to post items "as early as possible" to ensure they arrive in good time and to alleviate pressure on the network during its busiest period.
