The international delivery expert Parcelhero has listed all the major couriers’ final Christmas parcel collection deadlines for over 220 countries worldwide in a handy Christmas dates online tool.
Parcelhero says that – ironically, considering its name – it’s already too late to organise a parcel collection for Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in order for it to arrive in time.
This year, it had the earliest deadline of all: 2 December. Kiritimati (part of the Republic of Kiribati) is also known as Christmas Island following a visit to the Pacific atoll by Captain Cook on Christmas Eve, 1777.
The good news is that people sending presents to busier international destinations still have a few days in hand. The bad news is that the deadlines may be earlier than people think.
Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘The world’s leading couriers have announced some surprisingly early recommended collection deadlines this year, in order to ensure parcels get to their destinations in time for Christmas Eve. Don’t forget, no couriers deliver on Christmas Day itself.
‘There’s actually less than a fortnight to go before many major Christmas destinations run out of time. Gifts destined for the Falklands must be collected by 13 December, while Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Zimbabwe are all out of time after 16 December. The early 17 December date for Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka is also likely to take people by surprise.
‘Our recommended final collection dates to some of the most popular international destinations are:
- New Zealand: Tuesday,17 December
- Australia: Tuesday, 17 December
- Pakistan: Wednesday, 18 December
- India: Thursday, 19 December
- USA: Thursday, 19 December
- Italy: Thursday, 19 December
- Spain: Thursday, 19 December
- France: Friday, 20 December
- Germany: Friday, 20 December
- Netherlands: Friday, 20 December
‘For our comprehensive list of over 220 countries’ final Christmas collection dates, see Parcelhero’s online tool.
‘Christmas Eve falls on a Tuesday this year, so many international parcel collection deadlines are a day earlier than in 2023, to allow for the fact most couriers don’t offer Sunday pickups.
‘That’s why we recommend sticking to the deadlines given above and in our online tool. Additionally, all collections for UK destinations must also be ordered for no later than 20 December, to be certain of delivery in time for the big day.
‘With many international mailing deadlines coming early, Parcelhero has relaunched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time. You can now find out the last collection dates for presents to UK and international destinations and see handy packaging and Customs clearance hacks to help ensure gifts reach their destinations in time.
