Sending cut-off dates to target delivery by Christmas
It's important for your customers to know when to order by so their parcels arrive on time.
Sending before the Christmas cut-off dates gives you the best chance of getting your parcels to your customers in time for Christmas.
Sending cut-off dates to target delivery by Christmas
It's important for your customers to know when to order by so their parcels arrive on time.
Sending before the Christmas cut-off dates gives you the best chance of getting your parcels to your customers in time for Christmas.
These dates are a helpful guide, but we recommend building in a buffer to allow for your own processing times and any unexpected delays. A little planning now means smoother deliveries later, and happier customers all round.
Shipping within NZ
To target delivery before Christmas Day, we recommend your items are sent by the dates below.
| We recommend you send by: | |
|---|---|
| Express & Express Tonight* | Wednesday 24 December |
| Courier (next working day) | Monday 22 December |
| Courier Economy | Thursday 18 December |
| Domestic mail | Tuesday 16 December |
| Oversize by Fliway | Monday 15 December |
Recommended sending dates may change. Please see our domestic delivery updates for changes to scheduled deliveries.
Rural & Dangerous Goods items: When sending parcels to rural locations, or sending parcels that contain dangerous goods, please allow up to an additional 3 working days for delivery.
* Express Tonight: Sending in and between Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch only. Target: same-day evening delivery, 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.Shipping to NZ from overseas
Commercial
To target delivery before Christmas Day, your item will need to arrive in New Zealand by the dates below.**
| Flight arrival in NZ | |
|---|---|
| Courier | Wednesday 17 December (11am) |
| Economy Inter-Island | Monday 15 December (11am) |
| Bulk Mail and Letters | Wednesday 10 December (11am) |
** These dates are a guide. With large volumes of items being sent during this period, we recommend sending early to ensure your parcels arrive before Christmas.
Postal
To target delivery before Christmas Day, we recommend your items are sent to meet the dates below.
| International postal - Inbound cut-off dates (arrival time for delivery by Christmas Day) | |
|---|---|
| EMS only | Tuesday 16 December |
| All other products | Friday 12 December |
Cut-off dates are targets only. Sending by the Christmas cut-off dates gives you the best chance to get your item where it needs to be for Christmas and are correct as of 17 September 2025, but may change due to unforeseen service impacts.
Shipping from NZ to Australia
To target delivery before Christmas Day, your item will need to enter our network by the dates below:
| Metro Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne | Metro Perth, Adelaide | Rest of ACT, NSW, VIC, QLD | Rest of NT, SA, TAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Friday 12 December | Wednesday 10 December | Wednesday 10 December | Friday 5 December |
| Courier | Wednesday 17 December | Monday 15 December | Monday 15 December | Friday 12 December |
| Courier Select_AU Standard | Tuesday 16 December | Monday 15 December | Monday 15 December | Wednesday 10 December |
| Courier Select_AU Express | Thursday 18 December | Wednesday 17 December | Thursday 18 December | Friday 12 December |
| Express | Friday 19 December | Wednesday 17 December | Wednesday 17 December | Monday 15 December |
Cut-off dates are targets only. The actual delivery time may vary depending on the specific destination. If delivery is to a remote address, we recommend sending earlier than the above cut-off dates.
Sending from NZ to other overseas destinations
To target delivery before Christmas Day, your item will need to enter our network by the dates below:
| South Pacific | Asia | Canada, Europe & UK | Rest of the world | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Friday 5 December | Monday 1 December | Monday 1 December | Monday 24 November | Monday 8 December |
| Courier | Friday 12 December | Monday 8 December | Monday 8 December | Friday 5 December | Monday 15 December |
| Courier Select | n/a | Monday 8 December (China, Hong Kong, Macau) | n/a | n/a | Thursday 11 December |
| Express | Monday 15 December | Friday 12 December | Friday 12 December | Wednesday 10 December | Wednesday 17 December |
Cut-off dates are targets only. The actual delivery time may vary depending on the specific destination. If delivery is to a remote address, we recommend sending earlier than the above cut-off dates.
'Tis the season to prepare early
Large business? We’ve put together a checklist to follow, so you can ensure your business is ready for the busy shopping season.