Send Christmas presents in the UK and abroad. Your Christmas gifts, sent with care.

Mail Boxes Etc. packs and sends Christmas presents from MBE centres across the UK to addresses in the UK and abroad. Bring the gifts to a local MBE centre, with or without a box, and MBE centre staff will pack each item and send it with a courier service such as Parcelforce Worldwide, FedEx, UPS or DHL. For delivery before Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026, check the last posting date for the destination before booking. Mail Boxes Etc. posting dates are courier cut-offs, not Royal Mail or Post Office dates, and each date depends on the destination and the service chosen.

Sending Christmas gifts? We’re here to help.

How to send Christmas presents with Mail Boxes Etc.

Sending Christmas presents with Mail Boxes Etc. takes three steps: request a quote, bring the gifts to an MBE centre, and track the parcel to delivery. First, complete the quote form at mbe.co.uk/christmas or contact the local MBE centre with the destination, the number of items and their approximate size and weight. Second, bring the presents to the MBE centre before the last posting date for the destination. Boxes and packing materials are available in every MBE centre, so gifts do not need to be packed for transit in advance. Third, follow the parcel online at mbe.co.uk/track from dispatch to delivery using the tracking number provided at booking. For valuable or fragile presents, ask the MBE centre about MBE CoverProtect, which adds protection for the parcel during transit.

• Professional packing: No box? Not sure how to pack it? MBE centre staff choose the right materials and packing method to protect each gift on its journey.
• UK and international delivery: Sending a gift down the road or to family overseas? Choose from delivery options for destinations across the UK and around the world.
• The right service for each gift: Get help choosing a courier service based on the gift, the destination and when it needs to arrive.
• MBE CoverProtect: Ask about extra protection for valuable or fragile gifts.
• Online tracking: Follow every parcel online, from dispatch to delivery.

Sending Christmas presents abroad from the UK

Christmas presents sent from the UK to any other country, including EU countries, need a customs declaration that describes each item, its value and the reason for sending, such as a gift. GOV.UK guidance states that a customs declaration must be completed and attached to every package sent outside the UK. MBE centre staff can help complete the customs declaration when the parcel is booked, so the description and value match the contents. The recipient may have to pay import duty or tax in the destination country, depending on the value of the gifts and local rules. Some items, such as aerosols, batteries, alcohol and Christmas crackers, can be restricted or banned on international courier services, so check with the MBE centre before packing them. International parcels must reach the MBE centre by the Mail Boxes Etc. cut-off for delivery before Friday 25 December 2026.

Do I need a box to send a Christmas present?

No. Every MBE centre has boxes and packing materials, and MBE centre staff can pack the present for you. Bring the gift as it is, wrapped or unwrapped.

Can Mail Boxes Etc. send Christmas presents to the USA and Australia?

Yes. Mail Boxes Etc. sends parcels to the USA, Australia and most other countries with courier services such as Parcelforce Worldwide, FedEx, UPS and DHL. Long-distance destinations have the earliest Christmas cut-off dates, so book early.

How can I protect a valuable or fragile gift?

Ask the MBE centre about professional packing and MBE CoverProtect, which adds protection for the parcel during transit.

How do I track my Christmas parcel?

Use the tracking number provided at booking at mbe.co.uk/track to follow the parcel from dispatch to delivery.

Can I send Christmas crackers abroad?

Christmas crackers contain a small explosive snap, so most courier services restrict or ban them, especially for international parcels. Ask the MBE centre before packing them.

Sending for your business? See Christmas services for businesses, from corporate Christmas cards to branded gifts.

Where are your Christmas presents going?

Plan your Christmas parcels today. Find your nearest MBE centre and complete the form to request a quote.
An MBE centre expert will contact you to discuss what you’re sending and give you all the information you need.