Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas 2026

Royal Mail’s last recommended date to post Christmas mail second class is Friday 18 December, and for first class it is Monday 21 December, the company said on 27 October.

Royal Mail published the dates in a press release. Royal Mail Tracked 48 has a last recommended date of Saturday 19 December. Royal Mail Tracked 24 is Monday 21 December, and Special Delivery Guaranteed is Wednesday 23 December.

The notes at the foot of the release also mention Signed For versions of first and second class mail, which are not in the table above. The release gave no dates for international mail, and Royal Mail directs customers to its website for more information on Christmas posting.

What are the dates for, exactly?

The dates are recommended deadlines, and the company said they are meant to help Christmas cards, letters and festive parcels arrive in time for the big day.

To manage the surge on Mondays after weekend online shopping, Royal Mail will add extra deliveries until 8pm and increase processing on Sundays.

How is Royal Mail coping this year?

The company said it had hired 22,000 seasonal workers. In the latest reporting period, 85% of 1st Class letters were delivered on time, up from 76% a year earlier, though Royal Mail added that it still has more to do to meet Ofcom’s targets.

What should you check before posting?

Customers are asked to write the full address clearly and always to include the full postcode. The correct postage should also be applied, to avoid delays or extra charges for the recipient. The current prices are in our earlier report on stamp prices.

Royal Mail also warned of more online scam attempts at this time of year and of counterfeit stamps, and it has published tips for checking whether a message or call is really from Royal Mail. Its Christmas posting information is on its website at www.royalmail.com/greetings.