‘Allow plenty of time for posting’ says Royal Mail, as increased demand and Covid restrictions put strain on system
Christmas is just around the corner and people all over the UK are looking to send presents to loved ones all around the world.
It is always important to get those gifts and cards in the post in plenty of time for Santa’s sleigh – otherwise known as the Royal Mail – to get them to the recipient in time for Christmas morning, but this year that rule is more important than ever.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic struck last year, global postal systems have been struggling to keep up with demand and, with a surge of deliveries expected in the run-up to Christmas, the Royal Mail are employing 23,000 temporary staff to keep up with Christmas demand.
Announcing their last Christmas posting dates, the Royal Mail advice to customers is:
“Allow plenty of time for posting. Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for international deliveries. Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.”
Royal Mail recommended last posting dates for Christmas 2021:
Domestic Services
- Fri 17 December: Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
- Sat 18 December: 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48
- Tue 21 December: 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24, Royal Mail Tracked 48*
- Wed 22 December: Royal Mail Tracked 24*
- Thu 23 December: Special Delivery Guaranteed
* Online (click & drop) service only. Not available to purchase at Post Office branches.
International Services
- Wed 1 December: Caribbean
- Mon 6 December: Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Italy, Greece
- Wed 8 December: Africa, Asia, Far East, Middle East, Central America, South America
- Fri 10 December: Cyprus, Sweden, Malta
- Sat 11 December: Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia), Turkey
- Mon 13 December: United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, Finland
- Thu 16 December: Western Europe (Spain, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Iceland, Slovakia)
International HM Forces Airmail
- Mon 29 November: To Operational HM Forces
- Mon 6 December: To Static HM Forces
Royal Mail are taking on over 23,000 temporary staff to help them through the busy Christmas period.
This is a reduction on last year’s record recruitment of 33,000 temporary staff, when Covid-19 lockdowns forced many Christmas shoppers online, causing a frenzy of festive online shopping.
Whilst more shops remain open this Christmas, more than half of UK shoppers have increased the amount of shopping they do online since the pandemic began, whilst over two-thirds (70%) say that buying online and on mobile phones are now their preferred shopping methods (Credit Karma survey, September 2021).
This means that online retailers can expect a busy few weeks ahead and will need to ensure their packaging supplies are well stocked in preparation for the festive rush.
The good news for any retailers in need of a last-minute Christmas packaging top-up is that the UK’s number one manufacturer, Polybags, has a market-leading range of mailing bags available with fast and free delivery as standard, with next day, express and super-express options for those really in a hurry.
Polybags’ mailing bag range is perfect for Christmas, with handy packs of 100%-recycled mailing bags (200 bags per pack) ideal for retailers in need of a quick top-up, whilst their smart blue mail order bags really look the part for Christmas deliveries – whether you choose the glossy best-seller range or the light-duty economy range.
But whether you are an online retailer or a Christmas shopper, don’t forget to take note of these last posting dates and make sure you get your deliveries in the post early this Christmas. Nobody wants to miss Santa’s sleigh now do they?
Note: The above timings are a guide only and are correct at the time of publication. Please check the Royal Mail website for the very latest service updates.
Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash.
