When is the last posting date for Christmas? 2019 deadline for first and second class mail
WITH Christmas now just around the corner, it's essential to know the final days you can send off your gifts and cards so they arrive on time.
So when are the last posting dates and what's the latest on the threatened Royal Mail festive strike?
What are the last days to send post within Britain?
Have you got those Christmas cards written yet?
If you’re sending post – letters or packages – to loved ones within the UK, then here are the last dates to get those stamps on.
- Wednesday, December 18: 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For
- Friday, December 20: 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 48®
- Saturday December 21: Royal Mail Tracked 24®
- Monday December 23: Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®
What are the last days to send post internationally?
Royal Mail International Standard (airmail) and International tracking signature services are available until December 18, 2019.
- Monday, December 9: Africa, Middle East, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, China, Far and Middle East
- Tuesday, December 10: Cyprus, Malta
- Wednesday, December 11: Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia)
- Thursday, December 12: Australia, Greece, New Zealand and Turkey
- Saturday, December 14: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
- Monday, December 16: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland
- Wednesday, December 18: Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg
When is the last day to send a letter to Santa?
If you want a reply from Father Christmas the last day to send off your gift list is December 6.
Royal Mail will kindly send his reply free of charge, seen as Santa sends so many letters.
So if you want a response from Old St Nick you'll need to be sure to get it in the post by THIS FRIDAY.
Send it to:
Santa/Father Christmas,
Santa's Grotto,
Reindeerland,
XM4 5HQ
Make sure you include your full name and address so Santa can get back to you.
Is the Royal Mail December strike still happening?
Royal Mail staff were expected to walk out either over Christmas, during the Black Friday sales at the end of November or both.
However, the postal workers' strike - which would have disrupted the election and Christmas deliveries - has been blocked.
Bosses told the High Court that the ballot for action had not been carried out properly.
The court ruled that the Communication Workers Union's (CWU) postal ballot of Royal Mail employees for industrial action was unlawful.
An interim injunction has been imposed.
MORE ON THE ROYAL MAIL
This means that no industrial action can be taken before the completion of a lawful ballot, resulting in a vote in favour of a strike, and formal notification to the company of any action.
Royal Mail claimed some staff did not vote in secret and were encouraged by their union to open the forms at work and fill them in.
Mr Justice Swift said: “This was an interference that was accurately described as improper.
"Strike ballots should be postal ballots. Each voter should receive a voting paper at home.”
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