The run up to Christmas always puts extra pressure on delivery networks, and this year is shaping up to be no exception. If you’re planning to sending parcels or gifts this festive period, it pays to get organised early.
Cut-off dates differ between couriers and the service speed you choose. Economy and Drop Off options usually close sooner, while faster services like Next Day, Express, or Same Day allow a little more flexibility. We’ve highlighted the key deadlines on our homepage, and you’ll find a quick snapshot below.
Key posting dates
UK / Domestic - 23 December 2025 (services from £2.05 + VAT)
Most UK next-day services accept parcels until the 23rd. For urgent situations, same-day specialists such as DeliveryApp and CitySprint can collect and deliver right up to Christmas Eve, making them ideal for last minute plans.
Many Express options need to be booked by the 22nd, and Drop Off or Economy services from carriers like DPD and DHL often close even earlier. Booking as soon as you can is the safest way to ensure everything arrives on time.
Europe - 19 December 2025 (services from £8.05)
Sending within Europe is quick and reliable with partners like DPD, FedEx Express, and UPS. For example, FedEx International Connect Plus Drop Off typically reaches destinations like Germany in one to five working days.
International parcels require a customs invoice, but there’s no need to prepare extra paperwork - our booking system automatically generates the forms you need.
Worldwide - 18 December 2025 (services from £9.40)
For destinations outside Europe, we work with global carriers including Spring Global, ECMS, and Landmark Global.
Shipping times and prices vary by location. To get the most accurate cost and estimated delivery window, enter your parcel details and destination into our Quote Tool.
Full list of posting dates
For a detailed breakdown, follow this link where each courier’s final posting dates are listed alongside the deadlines for specific services. It’s the best place to confirm the latest information before booking.
Sending internationally? We now offer DDP solutions
We are pleased to now offer Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) services, giving you an easier way to send parcels overseas. It’s available on all international FedEx services and lets you prepay duties, taxes, and customs fees upfront, so parcels can clear customs quicker and reach the recipient without any surprise costs or delays. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay, with no additional invoices or bills to come - thats our Interparcel Guarantee. It’s a simple way to keep international deliveries smooth and stress free, especially during the busy posting season.
Check prohibited and restricted items
Before sending anything, make sure your parcel contents meet courier and destination rules. Our Prohibited and Restricted Items guide explains what can’t be shipped and which items may be excluded from transit cover. The guide is fully searchable by location and courier, and if you’re unsure, local customs can offer additional advice.
Plan your Christmas deliveries with Interparcel
Take the pressure out of holiday sending by booking through Interparcel. Whether you’re shipping a few presents or managing a high volume of corporate gifts, our tools are designed to make the process simple.
Our Shipping Manager is especially useful for busy senders, letting you pull orders from multiple eCommerce platforms or upload bulk shipments via CSV.
Helpful features include:
- Address validation to help prevent delivery issues
- Multi-channel fulfilment for managing orders from different platforms in one place
- Easy repeat and return order creation
- Parcel presets to speed up future bookings
- Branded tracking pages for a professional customer experience
- Self-service tracking online
- Flexible label printing options at no extra charge
- Customer Support available seven days a week by phone, email, live chat, or social media.
If you have any queries, please speak to one of our parcel experts, who would be happy to help you.
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