Australia Post has revealed the deadlines for Christmas shipping, with Australians set to have about a week before the big day to send their mail and ensure it arrives on time.

The taxpayer-owned postie said on Thursday that parcels within Australia should be sent by December 18 to ensure arrival by Christmas, or December 21 if you pay for express postage.

However, those sending to or from Western Australia and the Northern Territory should allow a “few extra days”, Australia Post said.

The deadline for international air parcels is between November 16 and 29, depending on the destination, or from November 30 for international express shipping.

Parcels to New Zealand should be sent by December 7 (December 13 for express post); by December 6 to the United States (December 13 for express); December 4 for Canada (December 11 for express); December 5 for the UK (December 12 for express).

Mail to “major European destinations” should be sent by December 1 (December 8 for express); while the deadline for China and most of Asia is November 30 (December 7 for express).

Customers can access detailed information about deadline dates for various countries on the postie’s website. Australia Post executive general manager for parcel, post and e-commerce services Gary Starr said.

“We know these last-sending dates are very important for customers to help ensure cards and gifts make it in time to loved ones near and far,” he said on Thursday.

“Of course, if items are sent after the recommended dates, they will still be delivered as quickly as possible, but they may not arrive until after Christmas.”

In August, Australia Post revealed it lost $200.3 million in 2022-23 and forecasted more losses unless its community service obligations are changed.

Revenue was steady at $8.97 billion, about the same as the year prior.

The $200.3 million loss is only its second since it became a self-funded government business enterprise in 1989. Last year it made a $55.3 million profit.

But while the group’s parcel business remains healthy, with a 0.9 per cent increase in revenue to $7.3 billion, the group lost $384 million delivering letters in 2022-23, up 50 per cent from the previous year.

– with AAP