When to send your Vinted, eBay and Depop sales so they arrive before Christmas 2026, and how to handle the busiest weeks of the year.
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Quick answer: An Post usually publishes its Christmas dates in November, and its 2026 dates aren’t out yet. Last year, the last recommended day for standard parcels within Ireland was 16 December, and for cards and letters 22 December. Plan on similar dates this year, and check An Post’s page before you post.
An Post’s last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2025 (for guidance)
Destination
Standard parcels
Standard letters and cards
Republic of Ireland
16 Dec
22 Dec
Northern Ireland
16 Dec
19 Dec
Great Britain
16 Dec
18 Dec
Rest of Europe
12 Dec
18 Dec
USA
4 Dec
10 Dec
Rest of the world
4 Dec
4 Dec
These are last year’s dates, from Citizens Information, and will be replaced with An Post’s 2026 dates as soon as they’re published. Express and registered post dates are on An Post’s Christmas page. Checked 19 Oct 2026.
Who picks the carrier
Vinted: the buyer pays for postage at checkout and chooses the carrier: An Post, DPD, Drop2Shop or DHL Express. Send it as soon as you can after a sale, because buyers will be counting the days.
eBay.ie, Depop and Etsy: you choose the service and set the postage. In December it’s worth offering a faster, tracked option. See the postage guide for prices.
Selling in December: tips
Post early in the day, and allow extra time for rural addresses.
Use tracking. Parcels are more likely to be delayed in December, and tracking is your proof if a buyer says a gift never arrived.
Be honest about timing. If a sale comes in too late for Christmas delivery, tell the buyer before you post rather than after.
Going away? Use your platform’s holiday or away setting so you don’t get orders you can’t send.
Keep proof of postage until the buyer confirms everything has arrived safely.
Questions people ask
When is the last day to post for Christmas 2026 in Ireland?
An Post hasn’t published its 2026 dates yet; it usually does in November. Last year the last recommended day was 16 December for standard parcels within Ireland and 22 December for cards and letters.
When should I post to the UK for Christmas?
Last year An Post’s last recommended day for standard parcels to Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 16 December. Check An Post’s page for the 2026 dates.
Who chooses the postage on Vinted?
The buyer pays for postage at checkout and chooses the carrier. On eBay.ie, Depop and Etsy you choose the service and set the price.
Should I use tracked postage at Christmas?
Yes, for anything you’d be upset to lose. Tracking shows where a parcel is during the busiest weeks and is your proof of delivery.