The Post Office has released details of its 2021 Christmas arrangements.

It advised that this year, last recommended posting dates will be later because of the effect of Brexit on supply chains and the impact of the pandemic. For international destinations, the latest recommended dates start from November 29, with a full list of destinations at: www.iompost.com/christmas. For friends and family of Armed Forces personnel, mail must be sent by no later than Thursday, November 25, for operational British Forces Post Office (BFPO) and for static BFPOs no later than December 2.

Parcels up to 2kg are free to any BFPO address.

The last posting date for sending letters, large letters and packets to the UK via first class mail (no delivery date guarantee) is December 20, the last posting date for Special Delivery and Parcelforce express24 to UK as well as local to local letters, large letters and packets is December 22.

The local to local Special Delivery deadline is December 23.

The Post Office network will be open as normal in the lead up to Christmas. However, on Friday, December 24, and December 31 most of the sub-post offices and delivery offices will close early.

Post Office headquarters will close at 3pm and Northern Delivery Office will close at 1pm.

All post offices will be closed on from Christmas to December 28, and January 1 to January 3.

Branches including the delivery offices will be open as normal on December 29 and 30.

As of January 4 , all post offices and delivery offices will revert to their usual opening hours.

During the festive period the government has advised of the early encashment of pensions and allowances.

Allowances due for payment on December 24 and December 27 - 29 can be collected from December 23.

Allowances due for payment on December 31 and January 3 can be collected from December 30.

Following Brexit, since January 1 this year it has been a legal requirement that all items containing goods being sent to destinations beyond the UK, including Channel Islands, must have a fully completed customs declaration detailing the contents of any mail, packets and parcels.