The Canada Post holiday shipping deadlines 2026 are December 10 for a Regular Parcel across the country, December 17 for Xpresspost to the US and December 23 for Priority within Canada. Overseas dates start earlier, from December 3 for some regions. Below are the official send-by dates, plus what to check before you ship.
Deadlines at a Glance
The earliest overseas cut-off.
Includes Asia, Australia, China, Europe, India and the Middle East.
Also Xpresspost International to Africa and the Caribbean.
US Tracked Packet Dec 11. Xpresspost to Europe and the UK Dec 15.
Expedited Parcel to the US Dec 14, Xpresspost USA Dec 17.
Regional Expedited Dec 18, Xpresspost Dec 22, Priority Dec 23.
Domestic Deadlines in Canada
These are send-by dates for delivery before Christmas. Canada Post says the dates apply between major urban centres and depend on origin and destination, with exceptions in some areas.
| Zone | Priority | Xpresspost | Expedited Parcel / Flat Rate Box | Regular Parcel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | Dec 23 | Dec 23 | Dec 22 | Dec 21 |
| Regional | Dec 23 | Dec 22 | Dec 18 | Dec 16 |
| National | Dec 23 | Dec 22 | Dec 14 | Dec 10 |
Source: Canada Post. A second table on the same page shows earlier dates with no service named (Local Dec 22, Regional Dec 21, National Dec 18). I am not sure which services it covers, so I did not use it. If you are mailing cards or letters, check that table on the Canada Post page.
Shipping to the United States
| Service | Send by |
|---|---|
| Xpresspost USA | Dec 17 |
| Expedited Parcel USA | Dec 14 |
| Tracked Packet / Small Packet | Dec 11 |
International Deadlines by Region
| Destination | Xpresspost International | Tracked Packet / Small Packet |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | Dec 10 | Dec 3 |
| Asia | Dec 11 | Dec 9 |
| Australia | Dec 14 | Dec 9 |
| Central/South America and Caribbean | Dec 10 | Dec 3 |
| China | Dec 14 | Dec 9 |
| Europe | Dec 15 | Dec 9 |
| France | Dec 15 | Dec 11 |
| Germany | Dec 15 | Dec 11 |
| India | Dec 11 | Dec 9 |
| Japan | Dec 14 | Dec 11 |
| Middle East | Dec 11 | Dec 9 |
| Netherlands | Dec 15 | Dec 11 |
| New Zealand | Dec 11 | Dec 9 |
| Switzerland | Dec 15 | Dec 11 |
| United Kingdom | Dec 15 | Dec 11 |
Source: Canada Post. The page says some restrictions apply to the international dates.
Check service alerts before you ship overseas
Canada Post's service alerts page (updated October 1, 2026) lists suspensions that can affect your plans:
Holiday Closures and Delivery Days
Source: Canada Post holiday schedule (covers 2025 and 2026 only).
Will a Labour Dispute Delay Your Mail?
Canada Post said on June 1, 2026 that CUPW members voted to accept the tentative agreements for urban and rural carriers. The new agreements run until January 31, 2029, which makes strike delays this December less likely than in 2025. It does not guarantee on-time delivery, so ship early.
Which Service Should You Choose?
If you are unsure whether to use Canada Post, Purolator or UPS, see my Canada Post vs Purolator vs UPS guide.
How to Ship on Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last day to mail Christmas packages with Canada Post in 2026?
It depends on the service. For a Regular Parcel across the country it is December 10, and for Priority it is December 23.
What is the Canada Post deadline for shipping to the US?
Xpresspost USA is December 17, Expedited Parcel USA is December 14 and Tracked Packet or Small Packet is December 11.
What are the international deadlines?
Tracked Packet to Africa and the Caribbean is December 3. To Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East it is December 9 or 11. Xpresspost International runs from December 10 to 15.
Is Canada Post closed on Christmas and Boxing Day?
Yes. Canada Post is closed on Friday, December 25 and on Monday, December 28 (Boxing Day observed), with no collection or delivery.
Is Canada Post on strike this Christmas?
Canada Post announced on June 1, 2026 that union members accepted new agreements that run until January 31, 2029. Check service alerts for any new disruptions.
Can I ship parcels to Germany or France right now?
Canada Post's alert says parcel acceptance to several EU countries, including Germany and France, is suspended until further notice, while the holiday page lists dates. Check the alert before you ship.
Until when can children send letters to Santa?
Canada Post's page says to send by December 9 to get a reply from the North Pole.
What are you mailing this year? Tell me in the comments where you are shipping, and I will add that route's tips to this guide.
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