An Post has warned that parcels posted by retailers after today may not arrive in time for Christmas Day.
Amid a massive surge in demand for postage, An Post has warned customers and retailers that today is the last day for posting packages if they're to arrive in time for the big day.
Today's deadline means "last orders" for packages has been brought forward by nearly a week.
The postal service said it had no option but to make the "extremely difficult" decision around a postage deadline, adding that it was taken in order to avoid leaving customers disappointed if their parcels don't arrive in time.
Today's deadline only applies to bigger online retailers – not to ordinary people posting packages ahead of the Christmas period.
Those hoping to post packages to Europe should do it by this Thursday, December 17, in order to make sure they arrive in time.
It comes after a 230% increase in parcel deliveries that has left An Post straining at the seams in an attempt to meet customer demand.
The company says it delivered 2.5 million parcels every week in November, adding that it expected that figure to increase to 3.5 million ahead of Christmas.
In a statement issued to RTE News, An Post said: ""We prefer to be upfront so that these major online sellers can plan their operations and advise their customers accordingly."
Garrett Bridgeman, the managing director of An Post's mail and parcels department, added: "Our advice is to make the purchase by the 14th to ensure you have it by Christmas Day.
"Chances are that items bought online after the 14th will probably be delivered before Christmas Day, but we all know at Christmas time that 'probably' isn't good enough, especially for purchases you need by Christmas morning."
