Christmas Parcels: Best Ways to Send in the UK and Last Posting Dates for Royal Mail
Royal Mail UK has announced its last posting dates for Christmas 2025 to ensure parcels arrive on time. The deadlines are: 17 December for second class and second-class signed for; 19 December for Tracked 48; 20 December for first class and first-class signed for; 22 December for Tracked 24; and 23 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed.
International posting deadlines vary depending on the country and delivery option. For example, Spain and New Zealand have a deadline of 8 December, the US 12 December, France and Ireland 15 December, and Australia as early as 5 December. It is recommended to check the exact deadline for your destination via the Post Office country tool or Royal Mail websites.
For smaller parcels under 1kg, Royal Mail is generally the cheapest option. For heavier items, courier comparison sites such as Parcel2Go, ParcelHero, ParcelCompare, Parcel Monkey, and Worldwide Parcel Services may offer more competitive prices. For instance, a small parcel up to 2kg costs £3.50 via Royal Mail standard second class online versus £3.99 at the post office; standard first class online is £4.40 versus £5.09 at the post office.
Be aware that some courier services deliver only to certain postcodes and have different track records, so it is important to compare like with like.
For UK large letters (up to 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm, max 750g), online prices for standard second class range from £1.55 to £2.50, and for standard first class from £3.05 to £3.30. Overseas large letters start from £3.40 online.
The Post Office anticipates its busiest day for Christmas parcels will be 8 December, so it is advisable to avoid queues by posting earlier. Many branches also accept and prepay for other couriers including Amazon, DPD, DHL, and Evri.
Regarding customs and prohibited items, parcels must have a CN22 form for gifts valued under £270 and should include specific descriptions rather than vague terms. Evri's prohibited list includes items such as nail varnish, perfume, aftershave, and secateurs. DHL lists designer goods as restricted. It is important to clearly label the outside of the package with the item descriptions to avoid delays or returns.
