Christmas last posting dates 2026: a guide for franking machine users

Royal Mail’s recommended last posting dates for Christmas 2026 are Friday 18 December for 2nd Class, Monday 21 December for 1st Class and Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed. If you frank your mail, you can send right up to these dates from your own desk, without queuing at the Post Office in the busiest weeks of the year. Top up your postage credit and stock up on ink and labels early so nothing holds you up.

What are the Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas 2026?

Royal Mail has published these recommended last posting dates for UK delivery before Christmas Day, which falls on a Friday in 2026.

Royal Mail says these dates are correct at the time of publishing but may change, so it is worth checking the Royal Mail Christmas last posting dates page again in early December.

Which Christmas post can you send with a franking machine?

Royal Mail’s franking service covers the services most businesses rely on in December: 1st Class, 2nd Class, Signed For, Special Delivery Guaranteed and international services. That means your Christmas cards, invoices, statements, gift vouchers and smaller parcels can all go out from one machine, priced and printed in seconds.

For anything too thick to go through the machine, you frank a label and stick it on the item. Keep a good supply of double sheet franking labels to hand, and if you send valuable items or urgent documents in the last few days, stock up on Special Delivery franking labels before the rush.

What about Christmas post going abroad?

International mail takes longer, so it needs to go out well before the UK dates. Royal Mail does not give a single international date on its Christmas page. Instead, it points senders to its country guides for each destination and advises posting as early as possible.

The good news is that franking covers Royal Mail’s International Economy, International Standard, International Tracked and International Tracked & Signed services, so overseas cards and letters can be franked in the same way as UK mail. Our guide to Royal Mail International Standard explains how that service works.

Why franking makes Christmas post easier

December is the worst time of year to be standing in a Post Office queue with a bag of cards. A franking machine keeps the whole job in your office.

• No queues. Frank at your desk, then hand your mail over through a Business Posting Box, a business collection or your local Post Office.
• Lower postage. Royal Mail describes franking as cheaper than stamps, and the saving applies to every card and letter in your Christmas mailing.
• Faster batches. Weighing, pricing and printing happen in one step, so a pile of Christmas cards is done in minutes.
• A festive touch. Many machines let you add a logo or short message alongside the postage, which is a simple way to make seasonal mail feel personal.

For more ideas, read our post on handling increased holiday mail volumes with a franking machine.

Your Christmas franking checklist

1. Top up your postage credit early. Check your balance at the start of December so you are not caught short on the last posting day.
2. Order ink and labels in good time. Running out mid-mailing is the most common Christmas hold-up. Order franking ink cartridges and labels in November or early December. Franking supplies from Mailcoms come with free standard delivery (3-5 working days), and free next working day delivery when you spend £200.
3. Check your machine is up to date. Make sure it is running the current Royal Mail rates. Our guide to Royal Mail franking postage rates for 2026 shows what you should be seeing.
4. Batch and sort your mail. Separate UK and international items, then sort by service and class, as Royal Mail asks franking customers to do.
5. Plan how mail leaves the building. Small batches can go in a post box inside a meter posting envelope. Read our guide on putting franked mail in a post box for the details.
6. Pack parcels properly. Parcels get handled more in December, so use sturdy mailing boxes and cartons and fill any gaps.
7. Aim to post a few days before the deadline. The recommended dates are the last safe days, not the ideal ones.

Thinking of getting a franking machine before Christmas?

If you are still buying stamps for your Christmas mailing, now is a good time to make the switch. Mailcoms has supplied franking machines since 2005 and has been a Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008, and we can recommend a machine sized to how much you send. Have a look at our franking machines to see the range.

Need help?

Want to get your franking set up or stocked up before the Christmas rush? Call our team on 01543 572 776 and we will make sure you are ready for the last posting dates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last day to post 2nd Class for Christmas 2026?

Royal Mail's recommended last posting date for 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For is Friday 18 December 2026.

What is the last day to post 1st Class for Christmas 2026?

Royal Mail's recommended last posting date for 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For and Tracked 24 is Monday 21 December 2026.

What is the last posting date for Special Delivery before Christmas 2026?

The recommended last posting date for Special Delivery Guaranteed is Wednesday 23 December 2026.

Can I frank my Christmas cards?

Yes. Christmas cards can be franked as 1st or 2nd Class mail like any other letter, at franking prices that Royal Mail sets below stamp prices, and many machines can add your logo or a short message too.

When should I post international Christmas mail?

As early as possible. International mail takes longer than UK mail, and Royal Mail lists delivery aims for each destination in its country guides rather than giving one international date.

Are Royal Mail Christmas posting dates guaranteed?

They are Royal Mail's recommended last posting dates and are subject to change, so posting a few days earlier gives you a safety margin.