Just two days left to send presents and parcels 2nd class to make sure they arrive in time for Christmas

0
192

BRITS have just two days left to send presents and cards by 2nd class mail if they want them to arrive in time for Christmas.

Royal Mail has published its recommended last posting dates for the festive season.

Royal Mail is warning of delivery chaos due to more people ordering online

For 2nd class deliveries, Brits should aim to get them in the post by this Friday, December 18.

If you’re posting by 1st class, the last date to send off your goods is Monday, December 21.

However, as these are recommended deadlines, it’s not guaranteed that your card or present will still arrive on time.

Royal Mail is warning of delivery delays due to coronavirus restrictions and more people shopping online – so you’ll want to get posting sooner rather than later.

Some Royal Mail second-class post is understood to be taking over two weeks to deliver, including some Black Friday orders that still haven’t arrived.

Currys PC World and John Lewis shoppers have also been complaining about Royal Mail delays in delivering Christmas presents.

Royal Mail warns customers on its website: “Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries.” 

“Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.”

This year, the Royal Mail is expected to delivery a record 15million parcels a day over Christmas.

What are the last days to send post within Britain?

For letters and parcels the following deadlines apply:

  • Friday December 18 for 2nd class and 2nd class signed for
  • Monday December 21 for 1st class and 1st class signed for and Royal Mail Tracked 48
  • Tuesday December 22 for Royal Mail Tracked 24
  • Wednesday December 23 for Special Delivery guaranteed

What are the last days to send post internationally?

Sadly, deadlines for sending items abroad to any country via international economy have already passed.

  • Friday December 4 for Australia and New Zealand
  • Wednesday December 9 for: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and
    South America, Far and Middle East
  • Thursday December 10 for Canada, Cyprus and Malta
  • Friday December 11 for: Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey
  • Saturday December 12 for: Czech Republic, Finland,
    Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
  • Wednesday December 16: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland
  • Friday December 18 for Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

The price of stamps is rising from January – here’s what you need to know.

But MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has a trick to beat the price hike.

Stamp prices last went up in March this year, with first class stamps increasing by 6p, from 70p to 76p.