Royal Mail issues warning to Brits over last-minute Christmas deadline – key dates to note

week is just around the corner and the second class post date for Christmas is coming around fast.

If you want your post to arrive before the big day, make sure to send it before the deadline.

The has sent out a warning to UK households that time is ticking and there are just hours left before the major Christmas deadline passes.

Posting urgent updates on X, wrote: “If you’re sending items for Christmas, we have some latest posting dates coming up for our UK Inland Services.”

It added: “Please post as early as possible to ensure your items reach their destination in good time.”

Your final chance to dispatch 2nd Class mail is today, Wednesday December 18, while 1st Class letters and packages must be sent by Friday, December 20.

If you’re relying on Royal Mail Tracked 24, then Saturday, December 21 is your cut-off date, and if it’s Special Delivery Guaranteed, then Monday December 23 is your ultimate posting deadline.

Nick Landon from mentioned: “Every year we pull out all the stops to deliver Christmas for our customers.

“We will have an additional 16,000 seasonal workers and almost 4,000 new vans, trucks and trailers added to the fleet in time for Christmas. 

“It’s our busiest time of year and we plan all year round to help ensure we deliver the best possible service for UK consumers and businesses.”

Just a day after the UK government approved the sale of parent company to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský following a national security review, the £3.6bn takeover of International Distribution Services (IDS) – the owner of the 508 year old Royal Mail – by Křetínský’s EP Group was confirmed on Monday morning. 

This marks the first time in its history, dating back to 1516 under Henry VIII, that Royal Mail will be under foreign ownership.