ROYAL MAIL has been delivering letters and parcels for over 500 years and has tons of services available from “signed for” to “UK guaranteed” delivery.
We explain the different Post Office delivery package options on offer.
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What is UK Standard delivery?
Post Office rates for first class parcels start at just £3.85, and if you want to opt for second class it will cost you from £3.20.
Both options include compensation of up to £20 in the case of loss or damage.
You can send items up to 20kg, with heavier packages costing more money.
For first class, the Post Office aims to deliver the parcel the next day, but if it’s second class then the wait will be around 2-3 days.
For Medium parcels, this service will cost £6 for first class and £5.30 for second.
But if your parcel’s over the size or weight of a medium parcel, you’ll need to send it via Parcelforce Worldwide.
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What is Signed For delivery?
Whoever you’re sending the parcel to will have to be in to sign for this when it gets delivered, but it will give you peace of mind that the package arrived in one piece.
So that means the signed for service is great if you’re sending a gift or selling goods online.
And Royal Mail offer compensation of up to £50 in case anything goes wrong, plus you can check when the item has been delivered online.
Small parcels that are signed for will cost £4.85 if they’re sent via first class, and the same size package will cost 65p less for second class, at £4.20.
A medium parcel is going to cost £7 to send 1st class and £6.30 for second class.
But because of the pandemic, Royal Mail no longer ask the recipient to physically sign for items.
The service still works the same way to ensure your parcel gets where it needs to be with the right confirmation but they might take a photo instead or leave a card to prove it was delivered.
If you missed a signed for parcel, you will normally have to head to your local Post Office to collect it – you can find out where that is with the Post Office locator tool.
What is Tracked delivery?
Royal Mail Tracked 24 offer fully tracked delivery aiming to make it to the destination next day, and for a small parcel prices start from £5.46.
A medium sized parcel might cost you £8.46, but it can go up to £33.60 depending on its weight.
You will be able to follow your tracked item’s journey from door to door, and these packages can also be signed for but that’s going to cost you more.
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This service also includes £100 compensation.
Royal Mail also offer Tracked 48 which works in exactly the same way but it will take a day longer for items to arrive and prices can be a little cheaper.
What is Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am?
Royal Mail can guarantee your parcel will reach its destination by 9am next day with this service.
It includes full tracking and a signature on delivery but it will set you back around £22.26.
The max weight is 2kg too but there is compensation available up to £50 and additional compensation available up to £2,500.
You can also have your parcel guaranteed to be delivered on a Saturday for an extra fee.
Royal Mail also offer a similar service guaranteed by 1pm next day instead for a much cheaper price of £6.75.
What is same day delivery?
This service is fully tracked and recorded with email delivery confirmation.
It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all year plus there is automatic compensation cover for loss or damage up to £2,500.
This service is reserved for urgent deliveries but there is no limit on what you can send in terms of weight.
You’ll have to use the same day quote tool to find out how much your item will cost because it will vary depending on the item.
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