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Posting
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Step 1: Check you can post
Many everyday objects you wouldn't think twice about sending can't be sent in the post. These include items such as aerosols, nail varnish and perfumes. Before you post anything, it's best to check what's restricted and prohibited.
Step 2: Pick your box
Choose a box that’s the right size for the job. It’s better to buy a box that’s too big than one that’s too small and use packing materials to fill any empty space. Your item should fit as snuggly as possible so it’s secure and doesn’t move around. If you’re reusing a box, make sure it’s free from damage, especially at the corners and along folds.
Step 3: Pack your box
You need to pack your box carefully to protect the contents and ensure it arrives safely. The packing helps to make sure it doesn’t move around in transit. If you can choose a more environmentally and cost-effective option that’s ideal, things like scrunched-up newspaper pages are a good option. If the item is delicate or easily breakable, you should consider using bubble wrap.
Step 4: Address your package
Address your parcel in the same way you'd address a letter. Write or print the addresses clearly, don't cover any part of the label, and use ink that doesn't smear so all the relevant information is easy to check.
All UK addresses follow this simple structure:
- name of recipient
- house name/number and street
- locality - not required if you have the town and postcode
- village/town/city
- county - not required if you have the town and postcode
- postcode - in capital letters
If the address is in a remote area, use the nearest village or town to help identify where it needs to go. Please put Nr in front of the name to show it’s located near this place.
Align addresses on the left-hand side of the front face of the parcel without going over any edges so it's clearly visible. If you want the address to stand out, consider writing it on a piece of paper and affixing it to the parcel.
If we can't deliver your package for any reason, we'll need to know where to return it for free. Add your UK return address on the opposite side of the package to the delivery address.
If you don't know the full address of the recipient, use a digital maps service or search engine like Google or Apple Maps to fill out the remaining details.
Correctly addressing your parcel is an important part of making sure it arrives at its destination.
Step 5: Weigh your package
You need the weight and size of your parcel to find the correct postage. You can either weigh your parcel at home or in branch. If you want to weigh your parcel at home and it’s under 1kg, try weighing it with kitchen scales if you have them. Or try comparing it to household items. If it’s heavier, you could try weighing yourself on bathroom scales, adding the package, and then subtracting your weight from the total. Please make sure you don’t send anything too large or too heavy for your chosen service.
Step 6: Choose a postage option
The best way to send your parcel depends on how quickly you want it to arrive, its size and weight, how much you want to cover it for loss or damage, and if you want a signature on delivery or full tracking.
If you choose a Royal Mail, Evri or DPD service online with Parcels Online, you’ll go through all the options before buying your postage.
If you’re buying in branch, please research your options before coming in to buy your postage or ask us for help when you’re there.
Step 7: Post your package
If you’ve already used Parcels Online to buy postage, please drop your mail off at the Post Office branch you selected during the booking process.
If you're coming in to buy postage, use our branch finder to locate your nearest branch. They all offer Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide services. And you can select options in the tool to find those with Evri and DPD services too.
The fastest way to send parcels in branch if you don’t need help is with our self-service kiosks. To locate branches with these, select the 'Post & Go self-serve' option in our branch finder.
If you send items regularly, our Drop & Go service is a quick and easy way to send multiple parcels at once. It’s free to sign up and there’s no need to wait. Just drop off your items and we’ll weigh them, sort out the postage, print the labels and send them the same day.
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Common questions about sending a parcel
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Pricing options for posting parcels will depend on:
- where your item is being posted to
- the size of your parcel
- how much your item weighs
- how quickly you need it to reach its destination
- if you want a signature on delivery or full tracking
If you choose a Parcels Online service with Royal Mail, Evri or DPD, you'll go through all the options before buying your postage.
If you're buying in branch, please research your options before you pop in to post. Or just ask one of our team, who'll be happy to help.
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Customs forms are mandatory for all gifts and goods sent to a country outside the UK, except when sending items from Northern Ireland to the EU.
Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued under £270 will require a CN22 customs form.
Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued over £270 will require a CN23 customs form.
Royal Mail now requires these customs forms to be completed online rather than on physical copies. You can do that easily with our customs form tool.
We'll print completed CN22 customs forms in branch. But you'll need to print completed CN23 forms before you visit a branch.
Goods and gifts sent with Parcelforce Worldwide services will require a CP72 customs form regardless of the item value.
All customs details for services purchased through Parcels Online are filled in during the booking process online.
To make sure your package arrives at its destination, please complete all custom form information correctly. Any mail with incomplete or missing customs forms is likely to be returned to the sender.