Last posting dates for Christmas 2022 - the key dates not to miss

This year's last posting date is sooner than you think - and while you may have already missed the last first and second class posting dates, there's still time to get your special deliver packages out.

Royal Mail has urged customers to allow plenty of time for posting items this year as last posting dates for Christmas delivery for both the UK and abroad is subject to change due to industrial action. 

This year changes have happened because Royal Mail workers - members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) - are going on strike on several dates in  December - smack in the middle of the sales shopping season. 

Workers who collect, sort and deliver letters and parcels for Royal Mail are taking industrial action on 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24 December. 

We've checked (and double checked) all the important dates you need to know when it comes to getting items in the post for Christmas.

Last posting dates for Christmas 2022

Here’s the full rundown of the last posting dates for both the UK and abroad, which are earlier than usual due to planned strike action. You will have already missed some of these dates now, but note that the last date special delivery guaranteed for Saturday (by Royal Mail) is 21 December.

If you want cards and presents to arrive by Christmas Day, Special Delivery Guaranteed delivery date 21 December.

Your rights if letters or parcels go missing

As a general rule, you may have to wait between 5 – 10 working days before you can report the item as missing with Royal Mail. This does not include weekends or public holidays.  

You should claim for the damaged, lost or delayed post (opens in new tab) by filling in a P58 form which you can get from Post Office branches.  You may then be due compensation (opens in new tab) depending on the service you paid for – so if a first or second-class letter goes astray – you could get a book of six first-class stamps as compensation.  

But, if you’ve paid for a premium service – like Special Delivery – you may get your postage fee refunded along with compensation to cover the actual cost of the item posted.  This can be up to £2,500 although you can also buy ‘consequential loss cover’ at the time of postage which covers up to £10,000.

When it comes to the maximum time limit – you should report any missing letters or parcels to the Royal Mail within 80 calendar days from the date of posting.

If you buy something and your parcel is late or goes missing – you should always contact the company you bought the item from – not Royal Mail or the courier company.   

This is because it’s the seller’s responsibility to get the item to you within the agreed time and in one piece.  If there’s any problem – it’s the retailer who should reimburse you.

What happens if my post is delayed due to Royal Mail strikes?

In normal circumstances, if your post is delayed you could be to claim compensation, especially if you’ve paid for a premium service like Special Delivery.   

You can put in a claim with Royal Mail (opens in new tab) if you feel you’ve lost out by post being delayed due to the postal strike – but Royal Mail could argue that strike days have been well publicised.

When it comes to what’s open on strike days - Post Offices will be open as usual although collections from Post Offices will be limited.

But delivery offices and customer service points will be closed.  This means you can’t drop off or collect items as usual on these dates.