Need to send a shipment to a customer or even a gift to that special someone over the festive season? Look no further than NI Parcels!
Updated 4 hours ago
If you are looking for a convenient and affordable delivery service across over 200 countries worldwide, look no further than NI Parcels. Not only do we provide a low rate for both domestic and international shipping, but we also offer you fast transit times so you can rest assured that your parcel will reach your loved one down under.
With the busy holiday season now approaching, it is important to take note of our send-by dates if you want to ensure your parcels arrive on time.
We recommend sending before the dates listed below.
Important! Please be aware that these dates are the latest we recommend sending an item for the best chance to receive it before delivery. These dates are not guarantees.
You can still book a collection after these dates, however, we cannot guarantee that your parcel will arrive in time for Christmas.
All NI Parcels services are estimated and can be subject to delays due to any unforeseen circumstance.
Services within Northern Ireland
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
City Air Express - 19th December
DPD - 18th December
FX Express (Fedex) - 18th December
UPS Standard - 17th December
UPS Express Saver - 18th December
NI Parcels Express (DHL) - 18th December
NI Parcels Express Pre 12 (DHL) - 18th December*
Parcel Force 48 - 18th December
Parcel Force 24 - 19th December
Services to Ireland
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
City Air Express - 17th December
DPD - 18th December
FX Express (Fedex) - 18th December
FX Economy (Fedex) - 15th December
UPS Standard - 17th December
UPS Express Saver - 18th December
NI Parcels Economy (DHL) - 16th December
NI Parcels Express (DHL) - 18th December
Services to Great Britain
Please remember that all services to the UK now require customs forms to be completed and parcels will be cleared when they arrive in the UK. Please allow time for potential delays caused by the increased volume in parcels being cleared at this time of year.
Please note that more remote areas such as the Scottish Highlands may take longer to deliver than the estimated delivery times.
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
FX Express (Fedex) - 17th December
DPD - 15th December
City Air Express - 16th December
UPS Standard - 16th December
UPS Express Saver - 18th December
UPS Express - 19th December
NI Parcels Express (DHL) - 19th December
NI Parcels Express Pre 12 (DHL) - 19th December
Parcel Force 48 - 17th December
Parcel Force 24 - 18th December
Services to Europe
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
Please note that every destination in Europe may have different transit times and we recommend taking this into account.
EU Deliveries will not undergo customs clearance if sending from Northern Ireland however we still recommend allowing for delays due to the volume of shipments being sent at this time of year.
If sending from England, Scotland or Wales to the EU, your shipment will undergo customs clearance and we recommend being cautious due to potential delays in shipments being cleared.
DPD International - 12th December
UPS Standard - 12th December
UPS Express Saver - 17th December
UPS Express - 18th December
FX Economy (Fedex) - 16th December
FX Priority (Fedex) - 18th December
NI Parcels Economy (DHL) - 15th December
NI Parcels Express (DHL) - 18th December
Services to the USA
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
Please read any important booking notes, sending prohibited items such as foodstuffs is the primary reason behind delayed or returned parcels to the USA as these require FDA Clearance.
UPS Expedited - 12th December
UPS Express Saver - 16th December
UPS Express - 17th December
FX Economy (Fedex) - 15th December
FX Express (Fedex) - 18th December
Services to Australia
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
Please read any important booking notes, sending prohibited items such as foodstuffs is the primary reason behind delayed or returned parcels to Australia due to biosecurity checks.
UPS Expedited - 9th December
UPS Express Saver - 15th December
FX Economy (Fedex) - 10th December
FX Priority (Fedex) - 16th December
NI Parcels Express (DHL) - 16th December
All Other International Services
The below dates are recommended dates to send by, they do not indicate a guarantee that delivery will take place before Christmas.
Services will vary depending on where you are sending to or from and the estimated transit time on your route and service.
You will be shown an estimated delivery date when you choose your collection date, we recommend adding 2 - 3 additional working days to account for potential delays in customs or due to the volume of parcels at this time of year.
For any Expedited Services, it is recommended to send before the 10th of December
For Economy Services it is recommended to send before the 12th of December.
For Express services it is recommended to send before the 17th of December.
Please be aware there may be delays in customs if applicable on your chosen route.
The above are estimates only and are not specific guarantees that a parcel will arrive before Christmas. Please always check your estimated transit time. Please ensure you send anything time sensitive as early as possible.
Helpful Tips for deliveries in December
1
Send Early to Avoid Disappointment
Christmas is the busiest time of year for all couriers, so it’s best to send your parcels as early as possible to beat the rush and avoid delays.
2
Track Your Parcel and Get Updates
Every shipment includes full tracking so you can follow its journey and see when it’s out for delivery. You can track your order in your My Account section to stay informed about any updates or delays.
3
Attach Labels Securely
Make sure your label is firmly attached and clearly visible. If a label comes off, it can cause delays while the parcel is identified and relabelled. Always include the backup label inside your parcel just in case.
4
Check for Prohibited Items
Some items, such as cash, batteries, food, liquids, nail polish, and perfume, cannot be sent and may lead to your parcel being returned.
5
Complete Customs Details Clearly
For international shipments, customs forms must include specific and accurate descriptions (for example, “children’s books” rather than “gifts”). This helps prevent delays and ensures your parcel clears customs smoothly.
6
Wrapping Gifts
Feel free to wrap presents inside your parcel, but avoid wrapping the outer box. Customs or security checks may require packages to be opened, so the wrapping may need to be opened to perform these checks. It may be best to make the delivery side aware of this in case items might need re-wrapped if being gifted to other family or friends.
7
Plan for Winter Weather
Snow, ice, and storms can sometimes disrupt transport routes. Even if the weather looks fine where you are, conditions elsewhere can still affect your parcel’s journey, so plan ahead.
8
Double-Check Addresses
Ensure all address details and contact numbers are accurate. A missing flat number or postcode can easily delay delivery.
9
Allow Extra Time and Stay Patient
Despite everyone’s best efforts, delays can still happen during the festive season. Tracking your shipment and sending early are the best ways to keep things stress-free.
10
Remember Brexit!
Parcels travelling between the UK and EU now go through customs checks due to Brexit, which can add time to delivery.
NI Parcels Holiday Opening Times
Below we have outlined our office opening hours during the Christmas period and we have also covered when most collections and deliveries will occur during the dates mentioned in December.
Day
Date
Status
Collections?
Deliveries?
Wednesday
24th December
Open (9AM - 4PM)
No
Yes
Thursday
25th December
Closed
No
No
Friday
26th December
Closed
No
No
Saturday
27th December
Closed
No
No
Sunday
28th December
Closed
No
No
Monday
29th December
Open (9AM - 8PM)
Yes
Yes
Tuesday
30th December
Open (9AM - 8PM)
Yes
Yes
Wednesday
31st December
Closed
No
Yes
Thursday
1st January 2026
Closed
No
No
Friday
2nd January 2026
Open (9AM - 8PM)
No
No
Monday
5th January 2026
Open (9AM - 8PM)
Yes
Yes
If your parcel is not delivered before the 24th, the next possible delivery date will be the 29th of December.
On the 29th and 30th of December, couriers will be working through as many deliveries as possible, it may not be possible to delivery all of their backlog. Please take this into account.
26th of December is a public holiday in most countries. There may be deliveries in some countries.
