Got Christmas cards or gifts to send abroad?
Planning to ship some holiday cheer overseas?
We’ve got you covered!
Here’s the lowdown on making sure your international mail reaches its destination in time for the festive season.
Don’t let the post pass you by!
Check out our suggested last posting dates for Christmas 2024 to ensure all your letters, cards, and presents arrive just in time for the holiday season.
Table of Contents
ToggleLast Posting Dates for Christmas 2024
2nd Class / Royal Mail 48® Wednesday 18th December
1st Class / Royal Mail 24® Thursday 19th December
Special Delivery Guaranteed Saturday 21st December
Link to Royal Mail
Link to The Post Office
International Tracking and Signature Services
Wednesday 11th December Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Bulgaria, Caribbean, China (People’s Republic), Far and Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain
Thursday 12th December Cyprus and Malta
Friday 13th December Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA
Link to Royal Mail Tracking
International Standard (Untracked)
Thursday 5th December Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, China (People’s Republic), Far and Middle East, New Zealand
Friday 6th December Cyprus and Malta
Saturday 7th December Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic and Poland), France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
Saturday 7th December Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
Last Posting Dates for Royal Mail International Economy
(Formerly Surface Mail)
2nd October All non-European destinations (except South Africa, Canada, Middle and Far East, USA)
13th October Middle and Far East, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa
31st October Canada and USA
24th November Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Turkey
27th November Western Europe
Last Posting Dates for International HM Forces Mail (BFPO)
Wednesday 27th November: Airmail to Operational HM Forces
Wednesday 4th December: Airmail to Static HM Forces
FAQs for UK Last Posting Dates
If you’re sending First Class mail, make sure it’s on its way by December 20. For Second Class, aim for December 18. Keep those dates in mind to ensure your holiday greetings and gifts reach their destinations in time!
Traditionally, when signing a card from both you and your spouse, it’s customary for the woman’s name to appear first, followed by her husband’s. This holds true whether the couple is married, unmarried, or if the wife chooses to retain her maiden name.
Sending out a Christmas card isn’t just about spreading joy—it’s about sharing the purest form of it imaginable. It’s a heartfelt way to show your loved ones just how deeply you care for them. Sure, a cute or festive design is always a plus, but the real purpose of a holiday card is to tangibly express the appreciation you have for everyone in your life. It’s a small gesture that carries a whole lot of love.
Traditionally, when addressing an envelope, a woman’s name would precede a man’s, and their first and last names were not separated (for example, “Jane and John Kelly”). However, nowadays, the order of the names—whether his name or hers comes first—doesn’t carry the same weight, and either way is considered acceptable.
For a modern approach, you can address an unmarried couple who live together by joining their names with “and,” like so: “Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe.” This format respectfully acknowledges both individuals in the couple.
You can kick off sending digital holiday cards anytime after Thanksgiving, marking the start of the Christmas season, all the way up to Christmas Eve. It’s a flexible window that ensures your warm wishes reach everyone on your list. Plus, sending online Christmas cards is perfect for those moments when someone unexpectedly slips your mind, or you want to reciprocate a holiday card from someone who wasn’t initially on your list. It’s the perfect way to spread the holiday cheer effortlessly!
If a card holds significant meaning, you might find yourself wanting to cherish it forever. But if it’s just the design that catches your eye, you might not feel the need to hold onto it for as long. In general, once you’ve received and read a card, there’s often no necessity to keep it any longer. It’s all about what brings joy and significance to you.
Disclaimer for “UK Last Posting Dates 2024”
The information on last posting dates for 2024 is for guidance only and may change. We advise checking with official postal services for the most current information. We’re not liable for inaccuracies or any resulting issues. Use of this information is at your own risk.