Top tips for smooth Christmas deliveries in 2023

Sending gifts to your family and friends this Christmas? You need to be prepared and follow some simple steps to ensure your parcels get to their destination safely and on time. Here are our top tips for smooth parcel delivery this festive season:

Act fast and plan ahead

Don’t leave it until the last minute to send your Christmas gifts.

The postal networks are very busy at this time of the year, so the sooner you ship your parcels, the better. Even if you’re sending within the UK, it’s better to be safe than sorry! (But don’t fret, we have services for that too!) You can check our Christmas Last Posting Dates online for both domestic and international shipping.

Different services and couriers have different deadlines, so please ship as early as you can. However, we understand that things can get chaotic around this time of the year, so we offer parcel delivery services even on Christmas Eve!

Know what you can send

Don’t be naughty this Christmas! Different couriers and countries have their own rules and regulations for sending parcels. Don’t risk your gift being returned or seized!

For example, alcohol is not allowed with any of our services except Parcelforce Liquid and APC Liquid.

Check our Prohibited & Restricted Items list before you pack your items. If you’re sending a parcel abroad, we recommend you check with the local Customs about their rules and charges.

Pack your items well for transit

You’ve put a lot of thought into choosing the perfect Christmas gift for your loved one, so make sure you pack it well for transit.

Your parcel might have to travel a long distance and face various weather conditions and handling in transit. Many Christmas gifts come in fancy packaging that is not suitable for shipping. The most important thing is to put your item in a cardboard box; otherwise, we cannot accept it for any of our services. We recommend you use a strong double-walled cardboard box, fill it with padding materials and seal it with sturdy tape.

For more information, read our packaging guidance or watch our video guide.

Weigh and measure your parcel correctly

You will need to enter the parcel weight and dimensions when getting a quote with us. It is essential to do this as correctly as possible to avoid any extra charges- a few kilos more or less can make a difference in the price.

Measure the length, width and height of your parcel using a tape measure or a ruler if it is a small shipment or packet. Write down the measurements in centimetres.

For the parcel weight, make sure your scales are calibrated and write down the reading in kilograms.

Choose the right courier service

You want your gift to be in good hands as it travels to its destination. That’s why we work with reliable carriers who offer low-cost domestic and international Collection and Drop Off services. Choose from Economy, Express, Next Day, Same Day, and Timed parcel courier services depending on your needs and budget.

You can track the progress of your delivery online via our Tracking Portal. If your gifts are wrapped and ready to go, why not check out our range of affordable Economy services?

Fill out a customs invoice (international delivery only)

If you send a Christmas present from the UK to another country in Europe or worldwide, you must fill out a customs form (commercial invoice).

Customs authorities will use the form to decide if any taxes and duties apply to the goods you send. When you book with us, we will guide you through filling out these documents to make sending gifts abroad easier for you.

Get Transit Cover for more expensive items

Most of our services include free transit cover, usually between £15 – £25. However, if you want to send a more valuable gift that exceeds the free included cover, we recommend you buy Enhanced Transit Cover.

Enhanced Transit Cover is optional at the time of booking but can give you extra confidence during the gift-giving season.

Don't forget that FedEx Express UK services have a high amount of inclusive transit cover, giving you extra peace of mind when sending parcels within the UK! FedEx Drop Off includes £40 free transit cover, and FedEx Next Day Drop Off includes £50 free transit cover!

Send your Christmas gifts with Interparcel today

Get an instant parcel delivery quote today and see how much money you could save.

All you need to do is enter your parcel details via our online Quote Tool for an instant list of reputable courier services. If you’re a business customer, it’s important that your shipping strategy is optimised to handle an increase in Christmas orders. Our helpful shipping tools and free tracking features are designed to improve delivery and give your customers a merry Christmas.

You can also talk to our friendly team of parcel experts over the phone via email or live chat.