Get posting earlier than usual as An Post outlines important dates for Christmas 2026

An Post has revealed the final delivery dates for Christmas 2026, warning people to get their online shopping and posting done early this year. 

Ireland’s postal service is preparing for one of its busiest seasons as online shopping sees a massive uptick and Christmas cards begin arriving in everyone’s letterboxes. 

If you’re worried about the inevitable disappointment of presents not arriving on time or Christmas cards not arriving by New Year’s Eve, An Post has revealed the key dates to keep in mind this year. 

An Post are urging people to be prepared this year, stressing that those who get their Christmas deliveries sorted earlier are far less likely to face delays and late arrivals. 

They said: "Millions of people all over the world are using post to send Christmas letters and parcels to loved ones. While these are the last dates of posting, this year is like no other, and we advise customers to post early."

The latest date to send a letter to arrive in Ireland this year is December 21, 2026. For standard post parcels in the Republic, the last day to order is December 18. 

Republic of Ireland

Standard post letters and large envelopes must be posted by December 21 this year to arrive by December 25.

Orders must be in by December 18 for those hoping to have them under the Christmas tree. Meanwhile, registered post letters, large envelopes and express post letters must be sent by December 21. 

UK and Northern Ireland

For those sending letters, parcels, registered or express post to Northern Ireland, the final date is December 18. 

Letters and parcels from Great Britain must be sent by December 17 to arrive by Christmas Day, while registered and express post has a final date of December 18. 

Europe

An Post has stressed that for anywhere else in Europe, all parcels and letters need to be sent by December 17 to arrive in time for Christmas Day. 

The US

Anyone hoping to send Christmas cards or presents to relatives in the US will need to be especially prepared this year. 

Standard letters and large envelopes must be in the post by December 11, while parcels must be sent as early as December 8 for those hoping they arrive on time. 

Registered post letters and large envelopes have a final delivery date of December 8, while express post letters and large envelopes must be sent by December 10. 

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.