Royal Mail has announced its last posting dates for Christmas deliveries, as customers face significantly higher costs for sending cards and parcels this festive season.
The postal service has urged customers to send items early, particularly for international deliveries, to ensure they arrive before December 25.
As Christmas approaches, Royal Mail is preparing for its busiest time of the year delivering the cards and presents that millions will be sending.
Britons are urged to allow plenty of time for posting to ensure their cards and gifts arrive to loved ones on time this festive season.
Royal Mail will not deliver on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day or any bank holidays, though deliveries are possible on Christmas Eve, which falls on a Tuesday in 2024.
In a statement, Royal Mail said: “Allow plenty of time for posting. Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for international deliveries.”
Britons are urged to allow plenty of time for posting to ensure their cards and gifts arrived to loved ones on time
PA
Royal Mail has put the dates of the last post on its website to help guide people as to when the absolute cut-off is for deliveries.
The statement continues: “Latest posting dates are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. It’s always advisable to post as early as possible to ensure that your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time.”
Royal Mail also has an International Incident Bulletin for people to keep track of any issues that could delay post.
When is the last date I can post for Christmas 2024?
- Wednesday, December 18: Last day for second class and second class signed for.
- Friday, December 20: Last day for first class, first class signed for and Royal Mail Tracked 48.
- Sunday, December 21: Last day for Royal Mail Tracked 24.
- Monday, December 23: Last day for Special Delivery Guaranteed.
There is a standardised Monday-Saturday post, which means that there could be a delivery on Christmas Eve – a Tuesday in 2024.
As Britons send their festive parcels, they are warned of higher costs this year as stamp prices have increased 22 per cent.
First-class stamps have increased by 22 per cent from £1.35 to £1.65
Large first-class stamps will see an even steeper jump, rising by 50p to £2.60.
Other services including “Signed For”, “Special Delivery Guaranteed” and “Tracked” have also seen price increases since October 7.
Second-class stamps will remain unchanged at 85p for standard letters and £1.55 for larger items.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, explained that letter volumes have declined by two-thirds since their peak meaning the the cost of delivering each letter inevitably increases.
Royal Mail’s last posting dates for delivery before ChristmasGETTY
Amid the increases of stamp prices, Royal Mail is set to undergo a historic transition as Labour ministers have approved a £3.6billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
The deal would mark the first time Royal Mail has passed into foreign ownership since its establishment in the 1500s.
Under the agreement, the Royal Mail brand must remain unchanged for at least five years.
The postal service will maintain its crucial ‘one-price-goes-anywhere’ promise, ensuring first-class letters continue to be delivered six days a week.
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