Royal Mail has published its last posting dates for Christmas 2026. For a UK address, post 2nd Class by Friday 18 December, 1st Class by Monday 21 December and Special Delivery Guaranteed by Wednesday 23 December.
Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas 2026
These are Royal Mail’s last posting dates for UK addresses:
| Last posting date | Royal Mail 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 |
Royal Mail says these dates are correct at the time of publishing and may change, and advises posting as early as you can. A last posting date is the last day to post, not a promise that your letter arrives in time, so leave a few days to spare for anything important.
Last order times with PostRight
PostRight prints your letter and posts it for you with Royal Mail. Order by 2.30pm UK time on a working day and it is posted the same day. To meet Royal Mail’s Christmas dates, order by:
| Delivery option | Order by |
|---|---|
| Standard (Second Class) | 2.30pm, Friday 18 December |
| Signed For | 2.30pm, Friday 18 December |
| RM Tracked 48 | 2.30pm, Friday 18 December |
| Priority (First Class) | 2.30pm, Monday 21 December |
| RM Tracked 24 | 2.30pm, Monday 21 December |
| Special Delivery | 2.30pm, Wednesday 23 December |
Royal Mail’s date for Tracked 48 is Saturday 19 December, but we post on working days only, so the last order time is Friday. Orders placed after 2.30pm, at weekends or on bank holidays are posted the next working day.
Sending something before Christmas? Write your letter online or upload a PDF, and we print it and post it for you. See prices.
Sending a letter to the UK from abroad
If you live outside the UK, you can order online and we post your letter inside the UK, so the UK dates above apply. Send a letter to the UK from anywhere.
British Forces (BFPO) addresses
Royal Mail’s dates for post from the UK to BFPO addresses are much earlier:
| BFPO location | Last posting date from the UK | Last arrival at BFPO |
|---|---|---|
| Static Firm Base and PJOBs | 24 October | 30 October |
| Operations | 17 November | 24 November |
| HM Ships | 17 November | 24 November |
Parcelforce Worldwide
For Parcelforce Worldwide UK services, the last dates are Monday 21 December for express48 and express48large, and Tuesday 22 December for express24, expressAM and express10.
Post to other countries
Last posting dates to other countries are earlier and vary by country. Royal Mail lists them on its Christmas page.
Bank holidays over Christmas 2026
Christmas Day is Friday 25 December. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday is Monday 28 December. New Year’s Day is Friday 1 January 2027, and Scotland also has a bank holiday on Monday 4 January 2027.
Sources
- Royal Mail: Get ready for Christmas 2026
- Royal Mail: Last posting dates for business customers, Christmas 2026 (PDF)
- GOV.UK: UK bank holidays
FAQ
What is the last posting date for Christmas 2026?
For UK addresses, Royal Mail’s last posting dates are Friday 18 December for 2nd Class, Monday 21 December for 1st Class and Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed.
What is the last day to send 2nd Class post for Christmas?
Friday 18 December 2026. The same date applies to 2nd Class Signed For.
When is the last posting date for Tracked 24 and Tracked 48?
Royal Mail Tracked 48 is Saturday 19 December and Royal Mail Tracked 24 is Monday 21 December 2026.
When do I need to order with PostRight for delivery before Christmas?
By 2.30pm on Friday 18 December for Standard, Signed For and Tracked 48, by 2.30pm on Monday 21 December for Priority and Tracked 24, and by 2.30pm on Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery.