Don't Miss the Deadline: Your Guide to Christmas Shipping Cutoffs
As the holiday season approaches, it's time to start planning your Christmas shopping and shipping. Whether you're sending gifts to loved ones across the country or ordering last-minute items for your own home, it's crucial to be aware of the important shipping deadlines to ensure your parcels arrive on time.
At Modern Viking, we understand the importance of getting your packages delivered before the big day. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to the Christmas shipping cutoff dates for Australia Post. By following these guidelines, you can rest assured that your gifts will reach their destination in time for the festivities.
Sending Within Australia
When it comes to sending parcels within Australia, the cutoff dates can vary depending on your location and the delivery method you choose. For Parcel Post items, the dates provided below are for metro locations, where the parcels are collected by one of our trucks or vans and taken directly to our processing facility. If you're sending items outside a metro area or lodging them over the counter, please allow additional time.
Here are the Parcel Post cutoff dates for sending within Australia:
| Sending from | To NSW* | To ACT | To VIC* | To QLD* | To SA | To WA | To TAS | To NT | |--------------|---------|--------|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|--------| | NSW* | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 16/12/24 | | ACT | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 16/12/24 | | VIC* | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 16/12/24 | | QLD* | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 17/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 13/12/24 | | SA | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 13/12/24 | | WA | 18/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 17/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 13/12/24 | | TAS | 19/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 18/12/24 | 19/12/24 | 17/12/24 | 20/12/24 | 13/12/24 | | NT | 16/12/24 | 16/12/24 | 16/12/24 | 16/12/24 | 16/12/24 | 16/12/24 | 13/12/24 | 16/12/24 |
*Parcels sent to/from Geelong, Gold Coast, and Newcastle follow the above metro location cutoff dates.
For Express Post items, the cutoff dates are for metro locations only. If you're sending outside a metro area, please allow additional time.
| Sending to/from metro only | Cut-off date | |----------------------------|--------------| | All other States* | 23 December 2024 | | NT, TAS, and WA | 20 December 2024 |
Sending Internationally
If you're sending parcels overseas, it's important to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your items to reach their destination. The cutoff dates for international shipping can vary depending on the destination country, so be sure to check the specific deadlines for the country you're sending to.
At Modern Viking, we recommend sending your international Christmas parcels as early as possible, and by the following cutoff dates:
| Destination | Cutoff Date | |-------------|-------------| | United States | 10 December 2024 | | United Kingdom | 10 December 2024 | | Canada | 10 December 2024 | | New Zealand | 10 December 2024 | | Europe | 10 December 2024 | | Asia | 10 December 2024 | | Rest of the world | 10 December 2024 |
Remember, these are just the recommended cutoff dates, and we'll do our best to deliver items sent after these dates as quickly as possible. However, there's no guarantee they'll arrive before Christmas, so it's always better to plan ahead and get your parcels in the mail early.
Sending Christmas Cards
If you're sending Christmas cards within Australia, the postage cost is just 65 cents. You can check the cost to send cards, letters, and parcels within Australia and overseas on our website.
When it comes to sending Christmas cards, the cutoff dates are a bit more flexible than for parcels. As long as you get your cards in the mail by the following dates, they should arrive in time for the holidays:
| Destination | Cutoff Date | |-------------|-------------| | Within Australia | 20 December 2024 | | International | 10 December 2024 |
Don't Forget the Essentials
In addition to being aware of the shipping cutoff dates, there are a few other things to keep in mind when sending Christmas parcels:
- Pack your items securely and use plenty of padding to prevent damage during transit.
- Make sure to clearly label your parcels with the recipient's full name and address.
- Consider adding a return address in case your package can't be delivered.
- Purchase insurance or tracking for valuable or fragile items.
- Check the weight and size limits for your chosen delivery method to avoid any surprises.
By following these tips and planning ahead, you can ensure your Christmas gifts and cards arrive on time and in perfect condition. Remember, the earlier you send your parcels, the better – so don't wait until the last minute!
At Modern Viking, we're here to help make your holiday shipping a breeze. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly customer service team. Happy holidays, and happy shipping!