Shipping around the holidays

Shipping around the holidays in 2026.

The holidays bring more volume for the carriers. That can affect delivery days, drop-off deadlines and shipping costs.

On this page you’ll find the main changes, practical tips and points to check in your shipping settings. That way you get your webshop ready and give your customers clear expectations.

All deadlines and changes per carrier are in the end-of-year hand-out. Follow the live blog for the latest updates.

The main changes.

Adjusted drop-off and delivery days.

PostNL, DHL, DPD and UPS work with different days and times around the holidays. Everything per carrier is in the end-of-year hand-out.

Collection Service: watch the deadlines.

PostNL does not run collection rounds on public holidays. Keep in mind that the deadlines for requesting collection rounds change. You’ll find the current overview in the end-of-year hand-out.

Peak surcharges.

PostNL charges € 0.32 per parcel and € 0.18 per letterbox parcel from 15 November up to and including 31 December. At UPS, the surcharge has been running since 20 September.

Five tips for a smooth end-of-year period.

Step 1

Spread out your drop-offs.

Spread your parcels across the week and drop them off early in the morning. Avoid Mondays.

Step 2

Offer out-of-home delivery.

A parcel that goes to a pickup point or locker only has to be delivered once.

[Read the article]

Step 3

Keep your customers informed.

Be clear about possible delays, encourage early ordering and spread out your campaigns.

Step 4

Check your shipping settings.

Delivery options, shipping rules, cut-off times, Track & Trace and returns. It saves you unnecessary manual work and customer questions in the busiest weeks.

[Read the article]

Step 5

Get your packaging in on time, now with 10% off.

Enough packaging in stock? That saves you time during the busiest weeks.

Until 15 November you get 10% off all packaging in our webshop. That discount comes on top of our volume discount, so the more you order, the lower the price per item.

[Go to the packaging webshop]

Shipment delayed, lost or damaged?

See what you can do about a delayed or missing parcel. Is your shipment damaged? Submit a damage claim through your MyParcel account.

Delayed or lost parcel Submit a damage claim

MyParcel opening hours.

Do you have a question? Create a case through your account and our team will pick it up fastest. In your case overview you can see the status and respond directly.

Adjusted opening hours:

• Thursday 24 December: 07.00 to 17.00

• Friday 25 December: closed

• Saturday 26 December: closed

• Thursday 31 December: 07.00 to 17.00

• Friday 1 January: closed