Don't miss the boat for Christmas Sea Mail
Tuesday, 02 August 2011
Australia Post is reminding people wishing to send Christmas presents to family and friends overseas not to miss the boat, with final deadlines fast approaching for postage via Sea Mail.
Sea Mail is best suited for sending parcels and offers substantial cost savings, but Australia Post spokesperson Sarah Gordon said people need to plan ahead to take advantage of its lower prices.
"If you need to send Christmas gifts overseas you need to start planning now," she said.
"The Sea Mail closing date for gifts being sent to the United Kingdom is 21 September, while most of mainland Europe is one week later, on 28 September. If you need to send gifts to South America you'll have to get organised even sooner with some closing dates as early as 17 August."
All Sea Mail departs from Sydney so people sending parcels from interstate or outside the metropolitan area should allow extra time for their parcels to travel to Sydney before the listed closing date.
Ms Gordon also reminded senders there are certain dangerous and prohibited items that must not be sent through the mail. She said staff at Australia Post outlets can advise customers on restrictions for dangerous goods and give tips on the most secure packaging.
"To expedite delivery, you should always address your parcels clearly, complete the appropriate customs forms and include a return address on the back of your parcel. You might also need to provide identification when lodging your parcel.
"If you miss the Sea Mail Christmas closing deadlines you can still get your gifts overseas using Airmail and if you're really in a last minute rush, our Express Courier International service provides a door-to-door courier delivery to most major international metropolitan cities within two to four business days."
Anyone wishing to find out more about Sea Mail or Australia Post's other international services should ask at their local Australia Post outlet, visit http://auspost.com.au/internationalpost/products/ or call 131318.
Mail closing dates for delivery before Christmas 2011
| Destination | Date | Destination | Date | Destination | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 28 Sep | French Guiana | 17 Aug | Norfolk Island | 25 Nov |
| Algeria | 21 Sep | Germany | 21 Sep | Panama | 17 Aug |
| Argentina | 17 Aug | Ghana | 16 Aug | Paraguay | 17 Aug |
| Ascension & St Helena | 31 Aug | Gibraltar | 16 Aug | Peru | 17 Aug |
| Austria | 28 Sep | Greece | 30 Aug | Poland | 28 Sep |
| Bahamas | 31 Aug | Guatemala | 31 Aug | Portugal | 28 Sep |
| Bahrain | 28 Sep | Guinea | 14 Sep | Qatar | 28 Sep |
| Barbados | 31 Aug | Guyana | 17 Aug | Romania | 28 Sep |
| Belgium | 21 Sep | Haiti | 31 Aug | Russia | 28 Sep |
| Belize | 19 Aug | Hungary | 28 Sep | Saudi Arabia | 28 Sep |
| Bermuda | 31 Aug | Iceland | 16 Aug | Serbia & Montenegro | 28 Sep |
| Bolivia | 17 Aug | Iran | 14 Sep | Sierra Leone | 14 Sep |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 28 Aug | Iraq | 14 Sep | Slovak Republic | 28 Sep |
| Botswana | 28 Aug | Ireland | 28 Sep | Slovenia | 28 Sep |
| Brazil | 17 Aug | Israel | 30 Aug | South Africa | 28 Sep |
| Bulgaria | 28 Sep | Italy | 28 Sep | Spain | 28 Sep |
| Burundi | 14 Sep | Jamaica | 31 Aug | Sweden | 28 Sep |
| Canada | 28 Sep | Jordan | 07 Sep | Switzerland | 28 Sep |
| Central Africa | 10 Sep | Kenya | 07 Sep | Syria | 07 Sep |
| Chile | 19 Aug | Kuwait | 28 Sep | Trinidad & Tobago | 17 Aug |
| Colombia | 17 Aug | Latvia | 28 Sep | Turkey | 28 Sep |
| Congo | 07 Sep | Lesotho | 28 Sep | Uganda | 17 Sep |
| Costa Rica | 31 Aug | Liberia | 31 Aug | United Arab Emirates | 28 Sep |
| Croatia | 14 Sep | Libya | 14 Sep | Ukraine | 28 Sep |
| Cuba | 17 Sep | Leichtenstein | 28 Sep | United Kingdom | 21 Sep |
| Cyprus | 30 Aug | Lithuania | 28 Sep | United States | 28 Sep |
| Czech Republic | 28 Sep | Luxemborg | 28 Sep | Uruguay | 17 Aug |
| Denmark | 28 Sep | Macedonia | 30 Aug | Zambia | 28 Sep |
| Djibouti | 07 Sep | Malawi | 10 Aug | Zimbabwe | 28 Sep |
| Equador | 14 Sep | Malta | 30 Aug | POST EARLY - Dates shown are correct at the time of printing and are the latest recommended posting dates for delivery by Christmas 2011. As these schedules are reliant on third party shipping company timetables some dates may be subject to change. FURTHER ENQUIRIES Contact: Manager Shipping, Sydney Gateway Facility, Ph. (02) 9204 3405 8:00am to 2:00pm. |
|
| Egypt | 30 Aug | Mauritania | 14 Sep | ||
| El Salvador | 31 Aug | Mauritius | 20 Sep | ||
| Equatorial Guinea | 07 Sep | Mexico | 17 Aug | ||
| Estonia | 28 Sep | Morocco | 14 Sep | ||
| Ethiopia | 07 Sep | Netherlands | 28 Sep | ||
| Falkland Islands | 31 Aug | Nicaragua | 31 Aug | ||
| Finland | 28 Sep | Nigeria | 14 Sep | ||
| France | 28 Sep | Norway | 28 Sep | ||