With Christmas getting ever closer, people across Switzerland will be looking to send cards and presents to loved ones at home and overseas. With this in mind, here are all the postal deadlines you need to know for 2024.
Christmas post deadlines in Switzerland for 2024
While December is seen by most as a time to kick back, relax and enjoy the Christmas holidays, it remains a hectic time for those in the Swiss postal service. In 2023, Swiss Post transported 21,6 million parcels in the 30 days leading up to Christmas Eve, alongside around 13 million letters a day. On December 18, 2023, the company delivered 1,2 million parcels, a daily record for Switzerland.
To make sure that your gifts arrive in time for the big day, here are all the deadlines for sending letters and parcels from Switzerland in time for Christmas.
Sending Christmas cards and presents within Switzerland
Luckily, the deadline for getting Christmas cards and presents to people living in Switzerland is quite relaxed. Using the cheapest B Mail PostPac Economy deal, you have until December 19 to send Christmas letters and December 20 to send packages, if you want them to arrive by December 24.
If you opt for the pricier A Mail PostPac Priority package, you only need to head to the post office early on December 23 for them to arrive the next day. What’s more, if you are trying to re-enact a cheesy Christmas film by only getting your gifts together by the afternoon of December 23, you can splash out on the Swiss-Express “Moon” package, which promises that your hastily acquired presents will arrive on Christmas Eve, albeit a little later than the usual delivery time.
Packages sent using Swiss-Express “Moon” can be up to 100 x 60 x 60 centimetres, with parcels up to 2 kilograms costing 17 francs. Items weighing up to 10 kilograms will cost 23 francs, while 30 kilo items will cost 29 francs. Items larger than the set dimensions will cost more to send.
Sending Christmas gifts from Switzerland to Europe and overseas
With more than a quarter of the population not being Swiss citizens, many will also be sending presents and cards outside of Switzerland. For this, the timeframe is a bit tighter.
For cards and small packages sent through the slow post, Swiss Post has set a deadline of December 10 for addresses in Europe, and December 3 for other countries. However, deliveries in different countries vary, so be sure to check the Swiss Post website for specific delivery times.
For larger and heavier packages, the deadline for European addresses is December 9 using Swiss Post GLS and December 3 for packages sent via PostPac International. Packages sent to countries outside of Europe need to have been sent by November 26 at the latest.
Can my presents still make it in time for Christmas if I've missed the deadline?
Don’t fret if you’ve missed the first post deadlines for overseas shipping. Using the URGENT system of mailing offered by Swiss Post, the deadline for Europe is extended to December 13 for letters and December 12 for parcels. While this varies by country, the deadline for URGENT post sent outside Europe is December 11 for letters and December 10 for parcels.
However, bear in mind that sending letters and parcels urgently will be more expensive.
Swiss Post ready for bumper Christmas in 2024
Alongside the guidelines on sending presents, Swiss Post has also released more information about special opening hours which will be in place during the festive season. For more information about the opening times, the detailed cost of deliveries and a full list of the deadlines, check out the Swiss Post website.