In this guide, we’ll be covering the basics of Royal Mail’s 2024 pricing structure. Whether it’s a singular parcel or bigger bulk shipments, here’s all the basic information you’ll need to know about postage rates.
Postage Size Guide:
Based on the size and weight of the postal item, it can generally be categorised into the following types:
Mailer Length Width Thickness Weight Limit
Letters 24cm. 16.5cm 0.5cm 100g
Large Letters 35.3cm 25cm 2.5cm 750g
Small Parcels 45cm 35cm 16cm 2kg
Medium Parcels 61cm 46cm 46cm 20kg
Royal Mail Domestic Services:
Royal Mail’s domestic services cater to the UK’s residents’ and businesses’ comprehensive postal needs. These services are the backbone of the UK’s postal communication system, offering a balance between speed, reliability, and cost.
First Class Mail Rates
1st Class Mail promises a faster postal service, typically delivering items the next working day. With prices tiered based on weight, it’s a preferred choice for timely correspondences, encompassing letters to medium-sized parcels:
Mailer Weight Cost
Letters 100g 95p
Large Letters 100g £1.45
250g £2.05
500g £2.65
750g £3.30
Small Parcels 2kg £4.45
Medium Parcels 2kg £6.95
10kg £7.95
20kg £12.95
Second Class Mail Rates
The 2nd Class Mail service, while slightly slower than its First Class counterpart, offers a cost-effective solution for non-urgent deliveries. Its affordable rates, dependent on weight and mailer type, make it a popular choice for customers and their everyday postal needs.
Mailer Weight Cost
Letters 100g 75p
Large Letters 100g £1.05
250g £1.65
500g £2.15
750g £2.70
Small Parcels 2kg £3.35
Medium Parcels 2kg £5.35
10kg £6.95
20kg £10.45
Royal Mail Special Delivery
For times when urgency and guaranteed delivery are paramount, the Royal Mail Special Delivery steps in. This service pledges to deliver items by 1 p.m. the following working day, making it indispensable for time-sensitive documents and parcels:
Weight Cost
100g £6.85
500g £7.65
1kg £8.95
2kg £11.15
10kg £15.45
20kg £19.45
With Additional Cover:
Recognising the diverse value of mailed items, Royal Mail provides additional cover options for its Special Delivery service. This allows senders to insure their parcels according to their actual value, ensuring adequate compensation in rare instances of loss or damage:
Weight Cost with £1000 cover Cost with £2500 cover
100g £7.85 £9.85
500g £8.65 £10.65
1kg £9.95 £11.95
2kg £12.15 £14.15
10kg £16.45 £18.45
20kg £20.45 £22.45
International Postal Costs
Expanding beyond the UK’s borders, Royal Mail’s international services offer tracked postal solutions for worldwide deliveries. With prices tailored to destinations and parcel weight, this service bridges the distance between the UK and the global community.
Large Letter Prices
Destination Weight Price
Europe zones 1/2/3 100g £8.65
250g £8.85
500g £9.85
750g £10.25
World Zone 1 100g £9.60
250g £10.15
500g £12.20
750g £14.05
World Zone 2 100g £9.65
250g £11.25
500g £14.00
750g £16.80
World Zone 3 100g £9.65
250g £10.55
500g £12.50
750g £14.50
Small Parcel Prices
Destination Weight Price
Europe zones 1/2/3 100g £8.00 – £9.10
250g £8.00 – £9.10
500g £9.20 – £10.70
750g £10.10 – £11.55
1kg £10.50 – £12.25
1.25kg £10.50 – £13.00
1.5kg £10.50 – £13.80
2kg £10.50 – £14.50
World Zone 1 100g £10.15
250g £10.15
500g £14.20
750g £16.65
1kg £19.30
1.25kg £21.25
1.5kg £22.65
2kg £23.75
World Zone 2 100g £11.25
250g £11.25
500g £15.85
750g £18.65
1kg £21.60
1.25kg £24.40
1.5kg £26.90
2kg £28.60
World Zone 3 100g £11.70
250g £11.70
500g £14.90
Parcelforce Worldwide
Parcelforce Worldwide stands as one of the UK’s leading courier and logistics service providers. With an emphasis on timely deliveries and customer satisfaction, it offers a range of services catering to various delivery needs, both within the UK and internationally.
UK Courier Services
Parcelforce’s UK services offer precision in their delivery timelines, from as early as 9 am the next day. With tiered pricing based on the urgency and compensation cover provided, these services ensure that parcels reach their destination promptly and securely.
Services Compensation Cover Post Office Prices from Delivery
Express9 £200 £49.95 Next working day by 9am
Express10 £200 £24.95 Next working day by 10am
ExpressAM £200 £15.95 Next working day by 12 noon
Express24 £150 £12.45 Next working day by close of business
Express48 £150 £11.95 Within 2 working days
International Courier Services
Parcelforce’s international services provide reliable delivery solutions worldwide. Whether an urgent document to be sent overnight or a less time-sensitive parcel, the range of services ensures a balance between speed, tracking capability, compensation cover, and cost.
Services Delivery Tracking Compensation Cover Post Office Prices
GlobalExpress From next working day Yes £200 £46.11
IrelandExpress Next working day Yes £200 £16.68
GlobalPriority From 3 working days Yes £100 £25.00
GlobalValue 5-8 days £100 £9.80
GlobalEconomy 28-46 days £24.70
Redelivery and Missed Deliveries: What You Need To Know
It’s not uncommon for parcels to miss their initial delivery attempt. Missing deliveries can happen due to the recipient not being at home or unforeseen circumstances. For such situations, Parcelforce has established a structured redelivery system. Upon a missed delivery, the recipient usually receives a ‘Sorry we missed you’ card detailing the options available. They can reschedule a delivery to the same address, request delivery to a local Post Office, or even choose to pick it up from a nearby depot. Understanding the redelivery procedure ensures that parcels are received at the earliest convenience, minimising delays and ensuring satisfaction.
Why not check out our alternatives to Royal Mail.
Additional Services and Their Costs
These are designed to cater to specific needs and scenarios, providing flexibility and added value to both the sender and recipient. Particularly when sending parcels signed for, Royal Mail offers services such as:
Online Delivery Confirmation
A significant benefit of Royal Mail signed services is the confirmation feature for order delivery. This allows the sender to receive verification when successfully delivered, which is vital for numerous industry sectors and business entities and allows the sender some peace of mind.
Compensation Cover
Similarly to the UK Guaranteed services, Royal Mail offers compensation of £50 to its patrons who utilise the UK Signed services. This compensation is particularly suitable for businesses that frequently dispatch direct mail correspondences
Track and Trace
The ‘Track and Trace’ feature offered by Royal Mail is invaluable for both businesses and individual senders. It provides real-time updates on parcel locations, ensuring peace of mind and heightened accountability throughout the delivery process.
About Us
At iMail Comms, we are passionate about bringing clarity and simplicity to the world of postal communication. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive knowledge of postage services and offer valuable insights to make mailing more efficient and cost-effective.
Whether you’re an individual or a business, our expert advice ensures you make the most informed choices regarding your mailing needs.
Contact us for a personalised consultation for more tailored assistance or to discuss specific postage requirements.
Explore our hybrid mail, business mail and direct mail services to understand how iMail Comms can be your trusted partner in postal communications.
Conclusions
Always remember that postage prices and services evolve, so staying updated and revisiting this guide or the Royal Mail official website can be beneficial. Whether you’re looking to send a cherished letter to a loved one or a business package across borders, the right knowledge can make a world of difference.
FAQ’s
Here are some common queries about Royal Mail prices.
Is Postage Charged By Weight Or Size?
Typically, postage costs hinge predominantly on weight. However, the dimensions of a package can also influence the charge, especially if specified by the postal service.
Can I Still Use Old Stamps?
From 31 January 2023, stamps without barcodes will be invalid for postage. Royal Mail advises using them before this date or exchanging them for the new barcoded versions.
How Do I Calculate Postage Costs For A Package?
To calculate postage costs for a package, first weigh and measure your item, then use Royal Mail’s online postage calculator or consult your local post office for precise rates based on the destination and desired service.
750g £15.50
1kg £17.20
1.25kg £20.00
1.5kg £20.00
2kg £20.00
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