Guide · Christmas 2026 · About a 3-minute read
Last Christmas posting dates 2026 (UK)
Here are Royal Mail's last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2026, copied from Royal Mail's own page on 21 October 2026. Post before these dates and your cards and gifts should arrive by Christmas Day.
Royal Mail inland dates (UK to UK)
| Last posting date | Service |
|---|---|
| Friday 18 December | 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For |
| Saturday 19 December | Royal Mail Tracked 48 |
| Monday 21 December | 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail Tracked 24 |
| Wednesday 23 December | Special Delivery Guaranteed |
Saturday 19 December is also the last date for Royal Mail Tracked Returns 48 to get back to the sender before Christmas.
How many days have you got?
Run an online shop? Put this countdown on your own website, with your own order-by dates: free Christmas posting dates widget (two lines to paste, no sign-up, no cookies).
Parcelforce Worldwide (UK)
- Monday 21 December: express48 and express48large
- Tuesday 22 December: express10, expressAM and express24
Forces mail (BFPO)
- Static Firm Base/PJOBs: post from the UK by 24 October (last arrival at BFPO 30 October)
- Operations and HM Ships: post by 17 November (last arrival 24 November)
- Mail coming back to the UK from BFPOs should aim for Wednesday 16 December.
Sending abroad
Royal Mail doesn't give one international date on its Christmas page; it points to its country guides and strongly recommends posting overseas mail as early as possible. For Europe, North America and Australia, that means early December at the latest for cards to have a good chance.
Five ways not to miss the post
- Write your list this weekend. Most late cards are late because the address book came out on 20 December.
- Check addresses and postcodes on Royal Mail's free postcode finder before you write the envelopes.
- Buy stamps once. A book of 2nd Class stamps covers most cards; large or thick cards may need Large Letter postage.
- Aim a few days early. These are last recommended dates, and Royal Mail says they can change.
- Ordering cards online? Add the printing time to the posting date, so the card leaves the printer before Royal Mail's deadline.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the last day to post Christmas cards 2nd Class in 2026?
- Royal Mail's last recommended posting date for 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For is Friday 18 December 2026.
- What is the last 1st Class posting date for Christmas 2026?
- Monday 21 December 2026 for 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 24.
- What is the very last day I can post something to arrive before Christmas?
- Special Delivery Guaranteed, posted by Wednesday 23 December 2026. Parcelforce express10, expressAM and express24 have a last date of Tuesday 22 December.
- When should I post to a BFPO address for Christmas 2026?
- Royal Mail lists 24 October for Static Firm Base/PJOBs, and 17 November for Operations and HM Ships.
- Are the posting dates guaranteed?
- No. Royal Mail says the dates are correct at the time of publishing and subject to change, and advises posting as early as possible.
No time to write and post them yourself?
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