Mail Drop Dates Christmas 2026 based on RM handover date*
| Day | Date | Year | Estimate Priority Drop Date ** | Estimate Standard Drop Date ** | Estimate Economy Drop Date *** |
| Monday | 14th December | 2026 | 16th December | 17th December | 21st December |
| Tuesday | 15th December | 2026 | 17th December | 18th December | 22nd December |
| Wednesday | 16th December | 2026 | 18th December | 19th December | 23rd December |
| Thursday | 17th December | 2026 | 19th December | 21st December | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Friday | 18th December | 2026 | 20th December | 22nd December | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Saturday | 19th December | 2026 | 21st December | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Monday | 21st December | 2026 | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Tuesday | 22nd December | 2026 | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Wednesday | 23rd December | 2026 | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Thursday | 24th December | 2026 | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail | Pre-Christmas delivery not guaranteed by Royal Mail |
| Friday | 25th December | 2026 | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries |
| Saturday | 26th December | 2026 | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries |
| Monday | 28th December | 2026 | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries |
| Tuesday | 29th December | 2026 | 31st December | 2nd January | 6th January |
| Wednesday | 30th December | 2026 | 2nd January | 4th January | 7th January |
| Thursday | 31st December | 2026 | 2nd January | 4th / 5th January | 8th January |
| Friday | 1st January | 2027 | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries | No RM Deliveries |
| Saturday | 2nd January | 2027 | 4th January | 7th January | 11th January |
Collection Dates Christmas 2026
| Day | Date | Year | Status |
| Monday | 14th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Tuesday | 15th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Wednesday | 16th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Thursday | 17th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Friday | 18th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Saturday | 19th December | 2026 | No collections |
| Monday | 21st December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Tuesday | 22nd December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Wednesday | 23rd December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Thursday | 24th December | 2026 | Collection change requests **** |
| Friday | 25th December | 2026 | Closed |
| Saturday | 26th December | 2026 | Closed |
| Monday | 28th December | 2026 | Closed |
| Tuesday | 29th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Wednesday | 30th December | 2026 | Business as usual |
| Thursday | 31st December | 2026 | Collection change requests **** |
| Friday | 1st January | 2027 | Closed |
| Saturday | 2nd January | 2027 | No collections |
Scotland: Monday 4th January 2027 is a bank holiday, allow an extra day for Scottish deliveries.
*Collection date needs to be the day before RM handover Date
** These dates are an estimation of drop dates and do not take into account any potential adverse events that could occur. Saturday is not a delivery day for Standard Mail
*** Based on maximum Economy Delivery
**** Please ensure all requests for earlier collections are submitted before the following dates:
Our Client Services team will be on hand every step of the way. You can contact them by telephone on 03330 111 999
We thank you for your continued relationship as we maintain our tailored service to you. We look forward to working closely with you over the coming months and to having a successful peak season.
UTrak Domestic eCommerce
| Service | Last Posting Date |
| UTrak LL & Packet | Friday 18th December |
| UTrak 48h | Friday 18th December |
| UTrak 24h | Monday 21st December |
International Untracked Priority Airmail
| Country / Region | Last Posting Date |
| Rest of the World | Thursday 3rd December |
| USA & Canada | Tuesday 8th December |
| Rest of Europe | Tuesday 8th December |
| Western Europe | Wednesday 9th December |
ETrak International Tracked
| Country / Region | Last Posting Date |
| Rest of the World | Thursday 4th December |
| Australia, New Zealand and Far East | Wednesday 10th December |
| Rest of Europe | Thursday 11th December |
| USA, Canada | Thursday 11th December |
| Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland | Friday 12th December |
| Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands | Monday 15th December |
| Ireland | Tuesday 16th December |
DHL Express International Courier
| Countries | Last Posting Date |
| Rest of World | Tuesday 15th December |
| USA, Canada & Mexico | Thursday 17th December |
| Europe non-EU | Thursday 17th December |
| EU Destinations | Friday 18th December |
Royal Mail UK Services
| UK Services | Last Posting Date |
| Royal Mail 1st Class/ Signed For | Monday 21st December |
| Royal Mail 2nd Class/ Signed For | Friday 18th December |
| Royal Mail Special Delivery | Wednesday 23rd December |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | Monday 21st December |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | Friday 18th December |
| APC Next Day | Monday 21st December |
| London Registered | Tuesday 22nd December |
| 2nd Class Unsorted DSA | Tuesday 15th December |
| London Hand Delivery 1st Class | Monday 21st December |
| London Hand Delivery 2nd Class | Friday 18th December |
Christmas Posting Dates 2026 Pallets
The final collection date for pre-Christmas delivery of pallets is Friday 18th December. Pallets collected after the 18th December will be delivered from the 4th January (zone and service level dependent).
Please note – In Scotland, 4th January 2027 is also a bank holiday, normal service in Scotland will be resumed on Tuesday 5th January 2027.
| Service | Final collection day for pre-Christmas delivery* |
| Next Day | Friday 18th December |
| Deferred | Thursday 17th December |
| Economy | Wednesday 16th December |
* Please refer to your rate card for zones with extended delivery periods. Please note, these dates are estimated and recommended final dates for pallet collections for pre-Christmas delivery. These dates are subject to third party performance and weather conditions. It is advised that you plan to send pallets early to account for any peak volumes.
Our Operating Dates During the Festive Period
| Date | Collection |
| Monday 14th December | Business As Usual |
| Tuesday 15th December | Business As Usual |
| Wednesday 16th December | Business As Usual |
| Thursday 17th December | Business As Usual |
| Friday 18th December | Business As Usual |
| Saturday 19th December | No Collections |
| Monday 21st December | Business As Usual |
| Tuesday 22nd December | Business As Usual |
| Wednesday 23rd December | Business As Usual |
| Thursday 24th December – Christmas Eve | Collection Change Requests**** |
| Friday 25th December – Christmas Day | Closed |
| Saturday 26th December – Boxing Day | Closed |
| Monday 28th December | Closed |
| Tuesday 29th December | Business As Usual |
| Wednesday 30th December | Business As Usual |
| Thursday 31st December – New Years Eve | Collection Change Requests**** |
| Friday 1st January – New Years Day | Closed |
| Saturday 2nd January | No Collections |
| Monday 4th January | Business As Usual |
**** Please ensure all requests for earlier collections are submitted before the following dates:
Our Client Services team will be on hand every step of the way. You can contact them by telephone on 03330 111 999
Unit 2
Catalina Approach
Omega South
Warrington
WA5 3UY
0333 0111 999
© Copyright 2026 The Delivery Group. All Rights Reserved. Reg Company No. 04834987.