Christmas Parcels Guide: Best UK Shipping Tips & Critical Final Posting Dates!

Verify Final Mailing Dates

For domestic UK deliveries via Royal Mail, take note of these deadlines: 17 December for both second class and second-class signed for; 20 December for first class and first-class signed for; 19 December for Tracked 48; 22 December for Tracked 24; and 23 December for special delivery guaranteed.

When sending parcels internationally, remember that deadlines vary based on the destination country and the delivery service chosen.

On the Royal Mail website, you can enter the destination country to see the specific cut-off dates. For instance, the last dates are 8 December for Spain and New Zealand, 12 December for the USA, and 15 December for France and Ireland. For sending packages to Australia, the deadline is 5 December.

Additionally, the website Parcel2Go provides a list of both UK and international last posting dates for various top courier services.

Selecting the Right Delivery Service

There are numerous delivery and courier companies available, ranging from well-known brands to smaller firms, offering a variety of services such as standard delivery, signed for, next day, tracked, and guaranteed options. These might include dropping off your parcel at a local shop, using a locker for pickup, or having a courier pick it up directly from you.

When comparing options, ensure you are evaluating similar services across different companies.

According to Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert, for small items under 1kg, “Royal Mail usually wins.” However, for heavier items, courier comparison sites often offer the best deals. Among these, Parcel2Go is one of the largest, with other major players including ParcelHero, ParcelCompare, Parcel Monkey, and Worldwide Parcel Services.

Start with Royal Mail

It’s beneficial to first check the pricing guides on Royal Mail’s website. For a small parcel up to 2kg, the cost is £3.50 online or £3.99 at the post office for standard second class. For standard first class, the costs are £4.40 online and £5.09 at the post office.

Compare with Other Couriers

After checking Royal Mail’s rates, you might want to compare prices on a courier comparison website. This approach generally yields better rates than contacting courier services directly.

Comparison sites can offer lower prices because they purchase unused delivery slots from courier companies and sell them at a discount. However, delivery coverage may vary by courier.

Evaluate Their Performance

According to Citizens Advice, a staggering 15 million people had recent issues with parcel deliveries, so it’s crucial to choose wisely. “The holiday season is the peak time for mail and deliveries, and many are concerned about timely arrivals,” notes Gurpreet Chhokar from Which?, specializing in consumer law.

In a recent satisfaction survey by the postal regulator Ofcom, Amazon and FedEx ranked highest, while Evri and Yodel had the lowest satisfaction scores, particularly in customer support interactions.

Citizens Advice also ranked the five biggest delivery companies by parcel volume, with Royal Mail leading and Yodel at the bottom.

Is Free Delivery an Option?

When purchasing gifts online, sending them directly to the recipient is often cheaper, notes MoneySavingExpert. Many retailers offer free shipping if your purchase exceeds a certain amount (like £70 at John Lewis and £60 at Marks & Spencer).

This option is especially useful for larger or heavier items, as it bypasses the typical size and weight charges from postal services. Additionally, some retailers offer to add a gift message or gift wrap for a small fee, saving you the time and effort of handling the item yourself.

However, some may find this method somewhat impersonal, and delivery times can be less predictable. Furthermore, certain retailers, like John Lewis, do not offer international shipping.

For Smaller Items

For smaller or lighter items, such as a thin book or a notebook, consider using Royal Mail’s “large letter” service. This option covers items in envelopes up to 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm and weighing up to 750g.

Sending within the UK costs between £1.55 and £2.50 for standard second class, depending on the item’s weight. For first class, the range is £3.05 to £3.30. International untracked standard delivery starts at £3.40.

These are online prices, and paying at a post office might be slightly more expensive, for instance, £1.55 to £2.70 for standard second class and £3.15 to £3.60 for first class within the UK.

Skip the Long Lines

If you have just one parcel, you might choose to visit a post office. To avoid long waits, especially during peak times, avoid visiting on the busiest days, such as 8 December, as predicted by the Post Office.

Note that some branches offer services allowing you to collect or drop off pre-paid parcels from companies like Amazon, DPD, DHL, and Evri.

Watch Out for Prohibited Items

Be mindful of the items you send as couriers and delivery companies have lists of prohibited or restricted items. Some items are completely banned, while others may be sent but without any compensation coverage if lost or damaged.

For example, Evri prohibits items like nail polish, perfume, and secateurs, and DHL’s UK list includes designer goods and antiques. Sending a prohibited item that damages other parcels might lead to you being charged for repair or replacement costs.

Customs Forms for International Gifts

If you’re sending gifts outside the UK from England, Wales, or Scotland, you’ll need to complete a customs form. Both the Post Office and Royal Mail websites provide instructions on how to do this. For most gifts valued under £270, form CN22 is required.

Be specific when describing your items on the form, advises Parcel2Go. Avoid vague descriptions like ‘gift’ or ‘clothes’; instead, use precise terms such as ‘knitted woollen scarf’. Keep in mind, however, that the customs declaration must be attached to the outside of the package, which might reveal the contents to the recipient.

Mail Cards Early

If you’re sending Christmas cards, it’s wise to mail them early. For UK addresses, the last posting dates are 17 December for second class and 20 December for first class. With second-class stamps at 87p and first-class at £1.70, sending 10 letters second class saves £8.30, and 20 saves £16.60.