The Post Office is advising individuals to plan ahead for sending their Christmas packages before the anticipated busiest day at its branches on December 8.
According to a survey, more people in the UK are intending to send holiday gifts this year compared to last year, with the percentage rising from 20% to 33%. The survey also revealed that 34% view sending Christmas parcels and cards as an important tradition. However, only 33% are planning to mail their gifts and cards by early to mid-December, while 8% admit to sending everything in the week leading up to Christmas.
Post Office locations are available for collecting or dropping off prepaid parcels not only with Royal Mail and Parcelforce but also with Amazon, DPD, DHL, and Evri in selected branches.
Candice Ohandjanian, the Post Office’s mails and parcels director, stated, “This Christmas is anticipated to be exceptionally busy, with nearly three-quarters of Brits planning to purchase the same amount or even more gifts for their loved ones compared to last year. The local Post Office remains the primary choice for the public when it comes to ensuring that their carefully selected presents arrive safely.”
Whether it’s seeking advice on international shipping, assistance with customs forms, selecting the best delivery option, or simply a convenient location for parcel collection or drop-off, the Post Office aims to make Christmas shipping hassle-free.
Here are the latest recommended posting dates from the Post Office. It is recommended to send items early and avoid the last-minute rush.
– Royal Mail
– 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For – Wednesday, December 17
– Tracked 48 – Friday, December 19
– 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For – Saturday, December 20
– Tracked 24 – Monday, December 22
– Special Delivery Guaranteed – Tuesday, December 23
– DPD
– Next Day and Next Day by 12
– Most postcodes – Monday, December 22
– Earlier for specific postcodes
– AB36-Ab38, FK17-FK21, IV1-IV62, KA27, KW1-KW14, PA20-PA33, PA35-PA38, PH19-PH50 – Saturday, December 20
– IV63, KA28 – Friday, December 19
– HS1-HS9, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-PA48, PA80, ZE1-ZE3 – Wednesday, December 17
– DPD Gold – Tuesday, December 23
– Evri
– Standard Tracked – Friday, December 19
– Next Day Tracked – Monday, December 22