Ship your parcels for Christmas: what are the deadlines to remember?
To ensure your parcel arrives under the tree on time, we recommend choosing Happy-Post Express Delivery (managed by DHL Express from our platform).
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cyber Week, Christmas… starting from the end of November, we enter the Peak Period for parcel shipments. During this period, which continues through Christmas and even the winter sales, we expect very high volumes of parcels to process. Our transportation partners, along with our teams, handle 2 to 3 times more parcels than a regular month. Whether you're an e-merchant or an individual, we understand how important it is for you to have your Christmas parcels delivered on time. We're here to provide you with all the tips to ensure your parcels arrive under the tree just in time. 🎄
What are the deadlines to deliver Christmas parcels?
This is the big question: When should I send my parcel to ensure it is delivered on time for Christmas? 🎅 The answer is simple: the earlier you send, the more likely it will arrive on time. But one thing is certain: you shouldn't wait until the last minute or just a few days before December 24th to ship your Christmas gifts. E-merchants, sellers on Etsy, owners of an eBay shop or Instagram store… don't wait until the last minute to ship your orders.
It is crucial for you to deliver your Christmas parcels on time to satisfy your customers. We provide you with a table of the cut-off dates by destination. These dates will help you inform your customers or loved ones about Christmas parcel delivery.
Please note that collection times are not considered in this table. Be sure to add them in your calculations:
- Colis Privé: 4 to 6 days
- Mondial Relay: 3 to 5 days
- Colissimo: 3 to 5 days
- Chronopost: 2 to 4 days
| DAY | DATE | COUNTRY/REGION |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 02/12 | Australia, Asia & New Zealand |
| Wednesday | 04/12 | Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America |
| Friday | 06/12 | Turkey, Middle East & Far East |
| Monday | 09/12 | Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Eastern Europe |
| Wednesday | 11/12 | Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark |
| Friday | 13/12 | Germany*, Netherlands*, France*, Luxembourg, UK, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, Canada, USA |
| Tuesday | 17/12 | Belgium* |
The above dates are from the day your parcel is received in our warehouse. Dates are indicative only, and Happy-Post cannot guarantee delivery times during this period. 🤶
For parcels destined for South America or Africa, we strongly recommend choosing the Express option. Only this option ensures quick delivery to these destinations. Please note that taxes and customs fees will apply. 🦌
Don't hesitate to use our calculator to estimate the shipping costs for your Christmas parcels.
What tips do you have for sending your Christmas parcels?
We’ve provided the deadlines to follow so that your parcels arrive on time. Here are some tips to ensure your deliveries under the tree are a success:
- Proper packaging is essential. To avoid breakage and unhappy customers, follow these guidelines: pack items individually, make sure items are secure with no empty spaces, close your box tightly, and avoid over-wrapping your box with gift paper. You can find all these tips for properly packaging your parcel. 🧑🎄
- Don’t forget the proformas. If your parcel is destined for a country outside the EU or to the overseas territories, you will need to detail the contents when placing your order. In addition to your label, you will be given 3 copies of the Proforma invoice, which must be attached to your parcel. Without it, your Christmas parcel could be held at customs.
- Plan for customs fees. Parcels destined for international (non-EU) or overseas territories are subject to customs duties and taxes. Even if it's a gift, the importation of goods into a territory is regulated and subject to fees. To avoid any surprises, check out all our information on customs fees.
- Easily track your parcel. After sending your Christmas parcel, you can track the delivery directly from Happy-Post. Visit our tracking page and enter your Happy-Post parcel number, which starts with 12.
- Be mindful of prohibited items. According to international regulations, certain items are prohibited and cannot be shipped in parcels. We invite you to review the list of prohibited items to avoid your Christmas parcels being blocked and returned. 🍾