Please post as early as possible and in advance of the dates listed below, to avoid disappointment from any potential delays further down the line.
Avoid delays to your mail reaching its destination by ensuring that it is addressed properly and has the correct level of postage. Remember to include your own name and address on small packets and parcels going off-Island. Please also remember that small parcels going to destinations beyond the UK (e.g. Channel Islands, Europe, etc. ) are required to have correct customs forms.
HM Forces Mail - British Forces Post Office (BFPO)
| Destination | Date |
| Operational BFPOs | Monday 23rd November |
| Static BFPOs | Monday 7th December |
International Services
As we near the peak season of the year, international delivery services face a significant increase in the volume of parcels and letters. To ensure your items reach their destinations in time for Christmas, we highly recommend mailing them as early as you can.
| Country | International Standard Services | Tracked and Signature Services |
| United States of America* | Wednesday 25th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| Ireland | Tuesday 24th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| Australia | Friday 20th November | Thursday 10th December |
| Germany | Tuesday 24th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| France | Tuesday 24th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| Canada | Wednesday 25th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| New Zealand | Friday 20th November | Thursday 10th December |
| Spain | Tuesday 24th November | Thursday 10th December |
| The Netherlands | Tuesday 24th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| Switzerland | Tuesday 24th November | Wednesday 16th December |
| Poland | Wednesday 25th November | Thursday 10th December |
*Only correspondence can be sent to to the USA currently. IOMPO is working on a solution but this may not be available until the new year.
Is your destination not listed? You can find a list of Royal Mails published delivery aims in their Country Guides. Please allow an additional 2-3 days for mail leaving the Island to arrive in the UK.
Key Dates by Region
| North America | Wednesday 16th December |
| Europe | various dates 10th / 14th or 16th December |
| Asia Pacific | Thursday 10th December |
| South America | Thursday 10th December |
| Middle East | Thursday 10th December |
| Africa | Friday 20th November |
The dates above are for International Tracked and/or Signed services. Please note: items sent using Standard Services will need to be sent earlier.
UK and Channel Islands
Please be aware that weather disruptions may affect mail services. We strongly recommend posting as early as possible.
| Service | Date |
| Tracked* | Thursday 17th December |
| Standard Mail | Thursday 17th December |
| Special Delivery - Two Day | Friday 18th December |
| Special Delivery - Next Day** | Tuesday 22nd December |
* Tracked is available through Online Postage only
** Special Delivery – Next Day (UK & Guernsey) is available through Online Postage or at Postal Headquarters with a 3pm cut off for same day dispatch.
Isle of Man
| Service | Date |
| Standard Mail & Local Tracked | Friday 18th December |
| Local Tracked Plus | Tuesday 22nd December |
Online Postage
Send tracked parcels from as little as £3.50 using Online Postage.
Whether sending items to Castletown or Cape Town, you can manage all your postal needs including Safe to Post and customs requirements using Online Postage. You can purchase standard mail or tracked and signed services and if you arrange a FREE collection we will bring your postal labels direct to your home.
Parcelforce Services
For Parcelforce Services please refer to their website. Please allow an additional 2-3 days for mail leaving the Island to arrive in the UK.
