Royal Mail has confirmed delivery delays affecting 28 postcode areas across the UK as the final days before Christmas place exceptional strain on local delivery offices. The disruption, linked to staffing shortages and operational pressures, means some households may not receive post on the usual six-day schedule. The WP Times reports that the delays were formally flagged on Monday, 22 December, with customers in several regions advised to plan for extended waiting times.
Royal Mail said it continues to aim for nationwide deliveries six days a week, but acknowledged that this is currently not achievable in all local offices. According to the company, high levels of sick absence, resourcing gaps and local operational challenges are the main factors behind the disruption.
Which areas are affected
The following delivery offices and associated postcode districts are currently experiencing delays:
- Altens DO: AB10, AB11, AB12, AB35
- Belfast East DO: BT4, BT5, BT6, BT16
- Brixton DO: SW2
- Clevedon DO: BS21, BS49
- Dundee East DO: DD4, DD5, DD7
- Dursley DO: GL11, GL12, GL13
- Dyce DO: AB21
- Egremont DO: CA21–CA25, CA27
- Erskine DO: PA7, PA8
- Gloucester North DO: GL3, GL4
- Inverclyde DO: PA14–PA19
- Johnstone DO: PA5, PA6, PA9, PA10, PA12
- Lichfield DO: WS7, WS13, WS14
- Lisburn DO: BT26, BT27, BT28
- Londonderry DO: BT47, BT48
- Northwich DO: CW8, CW9
- Nottingham South DO: NG2, NG12
- Paisley DO: PA1–PA3
- Pontefract DO: WF7–WF9, WF11
- Renfrew DO: PA4
- South Woodford DO: E18
- Sleaford DO: NG34
- St Helens DO: WA9–WA11
- Tipton DO: DY4
- Warrington DO: WA1, WA2, WA4, WA5, WA55
- Whitehaven DO: CA18–CA20, CA26, CA28
- Whitwood DO: WF6, WF10
- Wigan DO: WN1–WN6
Royal Mail stressed that not every address within these postcode districts will necessarily experience the same level of delay. In many cases, service may be intermittent rather than fully suspended, as local teams work through accumulated backlogs.
What this means for households and small businesses
For households, the disruption is most likely to affect non-priority letters and parcels, including Christmas cards, online retail orders and subscription deliveries that are not sent via tracked or guaranteed services. In affected postcode areas, some residents may see missed delivery days or irregular rounds, particularly where staffing levels are under acute pressure. Royal Mail has advised customers awaiting important items to allow extra time and to use tracking services where available.
For small businesses, especially independent retailers and sole traders, the delays pose a risk to last-minute fulfilment and customer satisfaction during one of the busiest trading weeks of the year. Firms relying on standard First or Second Class services may experience longer transit times, increasing the likelihood of deliveries arriving after Christmas. Businesses sending time-sensitive goods are being encouraged to prioritise tracked or Special Delivery services and to communicate clearly with customers about potential delays.
Royal Mail said it is rotating delivery rounds within affected offices to spread disruption more evenly, rather than suspending service entirely in individual neighbourhoods. This approach is intended to ensure that no single group of customers faces prolonged non-delivery, although it may result in less predictable delivery patterns in the short term.
Royal Mail’s response and operational measures
A company spokesperson said targeted support teams have been deployed to delivery offices experiencing the greatest pressure, with the aim of stabilising staffing levels and restoring normal service as quickly as possible.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and thank customers for their understanding during this exceptionally busy period,” the spokesperson said, adding that conditions are being reviewed daily at a local level.
Christmas posting deadlines: what still applies
Royal Mail has reiterated that its official Christmas posting deadlines for inland services remain unchanged. Customers sending items after these dates risk delivery after Christmas Day, particularly in postcode areas already experiencing disruption.
The final recommended posting dates for Christmas 2025 are:
- Second Class & Second Class Signed For – Wednesday, 17 December
- Royal Mail Tracked 48 – Friday, 19 December
- First Class & First Class Signed For – Saturday, 20 December
- Royal Mail Tracked 24 – Sunday, 21 December
- Special Delivery Guaranteed – Tuesday, 23 December
Only Special Delivery Guaranteed offers a delivery commitment closest to Christmas itself.
How to track parcels during delays — and why it matters
During periods of delivery disruption, tracking becomes the most reliable way for customers to assess whether an item is moving through the network or temporarily held at a local office. Royal Mail advises customers to use its online Track your item service or the Post Office Track & Trace tool, both of which provide scan-based updates as parcels pass through key processing points.
A valid tracking reference — usually between 9 and 27 characters and found on a receipt, parcel label or sender confirmation — is essential. Royal Mail stresses that addresses alone cannot be used to generate tracking updates and will not indicate whether a specific delivery round has been completed.
For customers, tracking offers two practical advantages during delays. First, it helps distinguish between general network disruption and items that may require action, such as missed delivery attempts or redirection to a local delivery office. Second, it allows recipients and businesses to plan ahead — for example, by rearranging collections, informing customers of revised delivery expectations, or deciding whether to switch to a guaranteed service for urgent items.
Royal Mail notes that in areas experiencing backlogs, tracking updates may be less frequent and should be read as progress indicators rather than daily movement reports. Customers waiting for time-sensitive deliveries are advised to check for new scans at major processing stages rather than relying solely on estimated delivery dates.
Royal Mail has warned of an increase in fraudulent messages during the Christmas period, targeting customers expecting deliveries in affected postcode areas. The scams typically take the form of text messages or emails falsely claiming to be from Royal Mail and requesting payment or personal details in connection with a delayed parcel.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life:World’s Best Hotels 2025: Which Luxury Properties Made the Prestigious Gold List
