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.
Before diving into the carriers, remember these two definitions:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.