As the festive season approaches and last-minute shopping becomes more common, many people wonder whether their parcels and letters will still arrive in time for Christmas. One of the most frequently asked questions is: does Royal Mail deliver on Christmas Eve?
The good news is that yes, Royal Mail does deliver on Christmas Eve, provided it falls on a weekday. In 2025, Christmas Eve is on Wednesday, 24th December, which means Royal Mail will be operating as usual, albeit with reduced hours and early final collection times.
However, while delivery services will continue on the day, there will be no collections or deliveries on Christmas Day (25th December) or Boxing Day (26th December), both of which are public holidays across the UK. That makes posting early absolutely essential if you want your parcels and cards to reach their destinations before Christmas.
How Will Royal Mail Operate on Christmas Eve?
Although Royal Mail maintains its delivery and collection services on 24th December, the day does not follow a standard schedule. The company typically shortens its operating hours, and the final collection times from post boxes and Post Offices are brought forward.
Most Royal Mail staff begin their deliveries earlier in the morning and aim to complete rounds by early afternoon. This shift ensures that staff can wrap up before the Christmas holiday while still ensuring timely deliveries wherever possible.
Customers should also be prepared for high volumes of mail and potential delays, especially if severe winter weather affects transport and logistics. As a precaution, it is always best to check local Post Office hours and allow extra time for deliveries.
What Are the Last Recommended Posting Dates Before Christmas?
Royal Mail publishes last posting dates each year to help customers send items in time for delivery before Christmas Day. These dates vary depending on the class of service used and should be followed closely to avoid disappointment.
Below is a breakdown of the final recommended posting dates for Royal Mail’s inland services in 2025:
Last Posting Dates for Royal Mail (UK – Inland Services)
| Service | Last Posting Date |
| 2nd Class / 2nd Class Signed For | Wednesday 17 December 2025 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48® | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| 1st Class / 1st Class Signed For | Saturday 20 December 2025 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24® | Sunday 21 December 2025 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed® | Tuesday 23 December 2025 |
For the best chance of pre-Christmas delivery, customers are encouraged to use Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm no later than 23rd December. Posting any later, especially on Christmas Eve itself,f significantly reduces the likelihood of arrival before Christmas.
What Happens If You Post Items on Christmas Eve?
Many people leave posting to the last minute, but unfortunately, mail posted on 24th December is not guaranteed to arrive before Christmas. Even though deliveries and collections are still taking place on the day, any items posted particularly in the afternoon are unlikely to be processed until after the holidays.
Royal Mail delivery centres do continue sorting on Christmas Eve, but there are no operations on the following two days. This means most mail posted on the 24th will remain in transit until 27th December, which is the next working day.
So, while you can still send and drop off parcels or letters on Christmas Eve, doing so comes with the understanding that delivery will likely occur after Christmas, unless you’ve used Special Delivery and posted early in the day.
Is the Post Office Open on Christmas Eve?
Yes, most Post Office branches across the UK are open on Christmas Eve, but they usually operate reduced hours. It’s important for customers to check with their local branch ahead of time, as opening and closing times can vary depending on location and regional policies.
Urban branches typically close by mid-afternoon, while rural or independent branches may have shorter hours or not open at all. Services such as parcel drop-off, collections, and banking are usually available during this time, but access to counters may be limited due to increased footfall.
Anyone relying on Post Office services on 24th December should arrive early to avoid long queues and missed cut-off times.
Are Parcelforce and Other Royal Mail Group Services Also Operating?
Parcelforce Worldwide, part of the Royal Mail Group, provides express courier services with more precise delivery guarantees. Their Christmas 2025 schedule includes slightly different final posting dates, which offer more flexibility for customers.
Parcelforce Last Posting Dates (UK Inland – 2025)
| Service | Last Posting Date |
| express48 | Friday 19 December |
| express10 | Monday 22 December |
| expressPM | Monday 22 December |
| express24 | Monday 22 December |
These services can be ideal for last-minute shoppers, but availability depends on the parcel’s destination and size. Just like Royal Mail, Parcelforce will not deliver on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
What Are the Posting Deadlines for BFPO Addresses?
If you’re sending mail to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses, you’ll need to plan even further ahead. BFPO deadlines are generally set weeks before Christmas to account for extended transit and security processes.
BFPO Posting Deadlines – UK to BFPO (Christmas 2025)
| Destination | Last Posting Date from UK | Expected Arrival at BFPO |
| Static Firm Base / PJOBs | 24 November 2025 | 3 December 2025 |
| Operations / HM Ships | 17 November 2025 | 24 November 2025 |
Mail returning from BFPO addresses to the UK should be sent no later than 17 December 2025, allowing enough time for processing through the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre and into the Royal Mail network.
Can You Still Send Mail Internationally in December?
Yes, but international deliveries become significantly slower as Christmas approaches. Postal services around the world handle massive volumes of items in December, and factors such as customs delays, flight capacity issues, and local handling bottlenecks often impact delivery times.
Recent changes to customs processes, particularly for destinations such as the United States, may also add delays. Royal Mail advises sending international parcels as early as possible and checking their country-specific delivery guides.
For any international posting in December, tracked and express services offer the best chance of timely arrival, but there is never a complete guarantee as the date nears Christmas.
Are There Any Deliveries on Christmas Day or Boxing Day?
No, Royal Mail does not operate on Christmas Day (Thursday, 25 December 2025) or Boxing Day (Friday, 26 December 2025) in any part of the UK.
This applies across:
England and Wales
| Date | Holiday | Service |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | No collections or deliveries |
| 26 Dec | Boxing Day | No collections or deliveries |
Northern Ireland
| Date | Holiday | Service |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | No collections or deliveries |
| 26 Dec | Boxing Day | No collections or deliveries |
Scotland
| Date | Holiday | Service |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | No collections or deliveries |
| 26 Dec | Boxing Day | No collections or deliveries |
Mail posted after the final collections on 24th December will resume processing and delivery on Saturday 27th December.
What Can You Do to Ensure Timely Christmas Deliveries?
To give your mail the best possible chance of arriving before Christmas, planning ahead is key. While Royal Mail and other services do their best to meet demand, delays are always a risk during the busiest postal period of the year.
Here are the most effective ways to make sure your gifts and cards arrive on time:
- Post before the recommended cut-off dates, especially for First and Second Class services.
- Choose Special Delivery Guaranteed or Parcelforce express services for urgent items.
- Track your mail online using Royal Mail’s tracking tools.
- Be at home or nominate someone to receive deliveries, particularly on Christmas Eve.
- Confirm full and accurate addresses, including postcodes, to avoid delivery errors.
Conclusion: Can You Rely on Royal Mail on Christmas Eve?
In summary, Royal Mail does deliver on Christmas Eve, and in 2025, the day falls on a Wednesday, meaning services will operate across the UK. However, working hours are reduced, and any post sent late on the day is unlikely to arrive before Christmas.
With public holidays on 25th and 26th December, delivery services pause until 27th December, making early posting and careful planning essential. Whether you’re sending letters to loved ones, parcels to customers, or gifts to friends, following Royal Mail’s guidelines and posting well ahead of time is the surest way to avoid festive delivery frustrations.
