Christmas Posting Advice Offered

A staggering two billion cards, letters and parcels will be handled by Royal Mail during December, with 50 million of these in Northern Ireland alone.

By following some simple steps customers can ease the workload for their local postmen and women and speed their card or gift on its way.

Royal Mail is therefore reminding customers to address cards carefully, wrap packages up well and check the postage this Christmas to make sure all their presents arrive safely.

This year’s recommended last posting dates for sending Christmas cheer around the globe are: Special Delivery: Saturday 22 December; First Class: Thursday 20 December; Second Class: Monday 17 December; International airmail: Friday 7 December, Australia and New Zealand, South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Far East (except Japan) and Monday 10 December for the USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern Europe and Thursday 13 December, for Western Europe.

Also, include your own address on the outer cover at right angles to the destination address so that if, for any reason, Royal Mail cannot deliver the package, it can be returned to you.

For items being sent overseas international postal regulations require that the sender must write their name and address on the front of the item.

Ideally a separate label showing both the sender’s and the recipients’ address should be put inside the package.

(BMcC)