By
·
3 minute read
In global e-commerce, a "bank holiday" isn't just a day off—it’s a logistical bottleneck.
While you are preparing for Black Friday, your carriers are already scheduling their closures. The complexity multiplies when you ship cross-border: a normal working Tuesday in London might be a national holiday in Paris, leaving your package stuck in a "sortation limbo."
For 2026, the calendar presents unique challenges, particularly in May, where European holidays create a fragmented shipping month, and in December, where the positioning of Christmas on a Friday extends the "blackout" period for deliveries.
This guide provides a strategic operational forecast for 2026, covering Poste Italiane, BRT, GLS, Colissimo, Royal Mail, UPS, and DHL.
The Critical Distinction: Red Days vs. Modified Days
Before diving into the carriers, remember these two definitions:
- Red Days (Closures): The network is asleep. No pickups, no line-haul, no deliveries. (e.g., Christmas Day).
Modified Service: The carrier is "open," but operating at 50% capacity. Pickups might cut off at 12:00 PM instead of 5:00 PM, and guarantees are suspended.
1. The Italian Specialists: BRT, GLS & Poste Italiane
Focus: Domestic Italy & Local Hubs
Italy remains one of the most holiday-dense logistics markets. The "Ferragosto" slowdown in August is unique to this region and catches many international merchants off guard.
The 2026 "Red Days" (No Service)
- New Year's: Jan 1 & Jan 6 (Epiphany)
- Easter: April 6 (Easter Monday/Pasquetta)
- Liberation Day: April 25 (Saturday)
- Labor Day: May 1 (Friday)
- Republic Day: June 2 (Tuesday)
- Ferragosto: August 15 (Saturday)
- All Saints: November 1 (Sunday)
- Immaculate Conception: December 8 (Tuesday)
- Christmas: Dec 25 & Dec 26 (Santo Stefano)
Carrier-Specific Nuances
- BRT (Bartolini): Watch out for December 24 and December 31. Historically, BRT branches operate on a "half-day" schedule, closing operations at 12:30 PM. If you don't get your pickup done by noon, it stays on your dock until after the holiday.
- GLS Italy: Be aware that GLS typically suspends all line-haul departures from Dec 24 through Dec 27, and again from Dec 31 to Jan 1. This means a parcel picked up on Dec 23 might not move to the next hub until Dec 28.
Poste Italiane: Expect "Bridge Days" (Ponte). With Republic Day (June 2) falling on a Tuesday, operations on Monday, June 1st, will likely be skeletal as staff take leave.
The French Connection: Colissimo (La Poste)
Focus: Domestic France
Shipping to France in 2026 requires navigating "Le Mai à Trous" (The Swiss Cheese May). The month of May is packed with public holidays that fragment the work weeks.
The "Swiss Cheese" May of 2026
If you ship to France, mark these four closures in May 2026:
-
Labor Day: May 1 (Friday)
-
Victory Day: May 8 (Friday)
-
Ascension Day: May 14 (Thursday)
-
Whit Monday: May 25 (Monday)
⚠️ Strategic Warning: With holidays landing on Fridays and Thursdays, expect massive delays throughout May. A "48-hour" delivery to Paris could easily take 5–6 days during this month.
Other Key French Closures
- Bastille Day: July 14 (Tuesday)
- Assumption: August 15 (Saturday)
3. The UK Backbone: Royal Mail
Focus: United Kingdom
Royal Mail is strict with its cut-offs. For 2026, the key dates align with the standard Bank Holidays, but the pre-Christmas rush will be intense due to Christmas falling on a Friday.
Key 2026 Closures
- Easter: April 3 (Good Friday) & April 6 (Easter Monday)
- Early May Bank Holiday: May 4 (Monday)
- Spring Bank Holiday: May 25 (Monday)
- Summer Bank Holiday: August 31 (Monday)
- Boxing Day (Observed): December 28 (Monday)
Merchant Tip: Royal Mail shuts down completely on "Bank Holidays." Unlike some private couriers that might have skeleton crews, Royal Mail collections are effectively zero on these dates.
4. The Global Integrators: UPS, DHL & FedEx
Focus: International Express & Cross-Border
These carriers keep the world moving, but they are not immune to local holidays. They generally follow the holiday calendar of the destination country for delivery and the origin country for pickup.
UPS 2026 Operations
- Money-Back Guarantee: Expect this to be suspended for all Ground and Standard services from mid-November through December 24th.
- Easter Gap: UPS observes Good Friday (April 3) in many European countries but generally operates in the US. However, Easter Sunday (April 5) is a global "No Service" day.
- Critical Service: If you absolutely must ship on Christmas Day, UPS Express Critical is the only service that runs 365 days a year.
DHL Express 2026 Operations
- Strict Adherence: DHL Express is closed on public holidays. They explicitly state that without booking a specialized "Same Day" service, pickup and delivery are not possible on red days.
- Reduced Hours: On Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and New Year's Eve (Dec 31), DHL drivers often finish routes early. Ensure your pickups are scheduled before 12:00 PM.
- Global Variation: Remember that for DHL, holidays like Lunar New Year (Feb 17, 2026) will impact all shipments flowing into or out of Asia.
Cheat Sheet: The 2026 Logistics Danger Zones
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Does DHL deliver on weekends?
DHL Express typically operates Mon-Fri. Saturday delivery is an optional "Value Added Service" that costs extra and must be explicitly selected. Sunday delivery is generally unavailable except for critical specialized freight.
Why does BRT have delays in December?
BRT handles massive volumes of domestic freight in Italy. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, hubs in Milan and Bologna often reach capacity. Additionally, on Dec 24 and Dec 31, their branches close early (12:30 PM), cutting the operational day in half.
Will UPS refund me if my package is late during Christmas?
Likely no. UPS (and FedEx) historically suspend their "Service Guarantee" (Money-Back Guarantee) for Ground and Standard shipments starting from November. Express services often retain the guarantee until closer to Dec 18, but check their specific 2026 announcements in October.
What is the "Swiss Cheese" month in logistics?
This refers to May in France. In 2026, there are four public holidays (May 1, 8, 14, 25). Because carriers like Colissimo close on these days, the constant "start-stop" nature of the weeks creates backlogs that roll over, causing delays all month long.
As the Growth Manager at ShippyPro, I help online retailers transform their shipping operations from a bottleneck into a growth engine. My expertise lies in ecommerce logistics and automation, specifically helping brands save time and scale efficiently. I write about the tools, strategies, and technologies that are defining the future of fulfillment.