Royal Mail Logistics Services: standard and express shipping, tracking and rates
Royal Mail is one of the oldest and most popular postal and courier service providers in the UK. As for today, Royal Mail provides different shipping services, including standard and express deliveries of letters, parcels, and freight within the United Kingdom and internationally. At the moment, we don’t collaborate with Royal Mail. However, we partner with some of the global leading courier companies offering alternatives with the best prices and international services.
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Royal Mail standard and express shipping: international rates
Royal Mail provides domestic and international shipping services in the UK. Royal Mail courier rates and delivery speeds depend on the chosen services and route.
When sending a parcel with Royal Mail across the UK, keep in mind that the maximum weight is 20 kg for most of the services. If you want to send a shipment of up to 30 kg, you can use Royal Mail subsidiary company Parcelforce. Alternatively, you can get a quote on our booking tool and ship parcels of any size in the UK and worldwide.
Check some of the most popular Royal Mail standard and express logistics services within the UK and their shipping rates:
| Royal Mail Service | Delivery Time | Rates 10 Kg package |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | 1 business day | £21.60 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | 2-3 business days | £16.80 |
| Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed | By pm next day | £26.65 |
Royal Mail also provides international shipping services for letters and packages weighing up to 2kg. Royal Mail courier rates for international routes depend on the tracking options, distance and package dimensions. Royal Mail international shipping prices start from £1.26 when time is not an issue. When sending a letter or a parcel with Royal Mail globally, you can choose:
| Royal Mail Service | Delivery Times | Rates Letters or parcels up to 2Kg |
|---|---|---|
| International Standard | 3-5 business days | From £1.70 (letters) to £30.45 (2Kg parcel) |
| International Tracked & Signed | 3-4 business days | From £6.85 (letters) to £33.20 (2Kg parcel) |
| International Tracked | 3-4 business days | From £6.75 (letters) to £31.95 (2Kg parcel) |
| International Signed | 3-5 business days | From £6.85 (letters) to £30.40 (2Kg parcel) |
Alternatively, you check the Eurosender shipping prices by introducing the details of your shipment on our booking tool. Get an immediate quote with no hidden fees in just a few clicks.
Royal Mail international tracking and insurance
Some of the Royal Mail international and domestic courier services are available for tracking online. When sending a parcel with Royal Mail, you can choose to book a tracked, signed or standard service, depending on your needs. To check the status of your package sent with Royal Mail, you can enter the unique tracking number on the company’s website.
Royal Mail insurance. Are parcels insured with Royal Mail?
Depending on the chosen Royal Mail courier service and route, you can get compensation for lost, damaged or missing items. To claim compensation of lost or damaged items, you need to provide:
- Original proof of postage and proof of value;
- Details about the sender and recipient;
- The type of Royal Mail service you have used;
- Date and location of posting.
If you’re sending valuables, money or jewellery within the UK, you should use Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed. Only with this service you are able to claim compensation if the post is lost or damaged. Royal Mail insurance price depends on the value of your parcel and its weight.
When using some of the Royal Mail courier services, you get insurance with maximum coverage of £2,500 for deliveries within the UK.
Royal Mail also provides insured deliveries for international routes with compensation of up to £20-50, depending on the service. However, you can increase the compensation up to £250 for an additional fee.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
FAQs about Royal Mail courier services, customs charges and international shipping
Are Royal Mail parcels scanned?
Parcels that arouse suspicion and are considered as potentially risky will be scanned for safety and security reasons. Royal Mail doesn’t check all domestic packages. However, packages which are going abroad will be inspected or scanned by Royal Mail or customs authorities.
Can I book a pallet delivery with Royal Mail?
There is currently no option to book a pallet delivery with Royal Mail. You can only send letters and parcels weighing up to 20 Kg. Through the Eurosender platform, you can get instant quotes for pallet shipping with our booking tool.
How long do you have to collect a parcel from Royal Mail?
Royal Mail keeps parcels for 18 calendar days before returning them to the sender. In case you missed the delivery for some reason or the package was too big for your letterbox, you can request a redelivery. A date for the second attempt must be within 18 calendar days of the first delivery attempt. Royal Mail provides free deliveries to your own address or to another address in your postcode area.
How much does Royal mail customs charge cost and how can I pay it?
Every time you receive items from outside the UK, your goods may be subject to customs charges. The charges depend on the content of the package, its value, where the item came from and who sent it.
Your item has left Royal Mail international logistics centre - What does it mean?
When tracking your parcel sent with Royal Mail, you can see a message saying that ‘Your item has left Royal Mail international logistics centre’. This means that your shipment arrived at Royal Mail international distribution centre located in Heathrow and it’s on the way to your local Delivery Office. The time of delivery will depend on where the local distribution centre is and any issues along the way such as traffic, weather conditions etc. Consider that there are additional delays possible due to Covid-19.
Where can I drop off Royal Mail parcels?
Royal Mail has a wide network of parcel postboxes where you can drop off your shipment if you don’t need proof of postage. To use Royal Mail drop off locations, you need to buy postage online, print and attach the label and drop the package to a postbox. Keep in mind that the maximum parcel size allowed into Royal Mail Postboxes is 44cm x 35cm x 16cm. You can check the nearest Royal Mail drop off point on the map or on the courier website.
How can I book a Royal Mail redelivery?
Royal Mail allows customers to book a redelivery if they have missed the first delivery attempt. You can book a Royal Mail redelivery online using the details on the card the courier must have left for you after the first failed delivery attempt. If you cannot find the card or are missing some important information, Royal mail may require you to identify yourself with some form of ID. When you book a Royal mail redelivery you will get a new tracking number on the card, which you can use to track your parcel from then on.
What if you miss a Royal Mail redelivery?
If you missed your Royal Mail redelivery or if your Royal Mail redelivery has not arrived you can book another one online with the same card details. Royal Mail will attempt to redeliver the parcel again after 2 business days. Alternatively, you can change the delivery address to a neighbour’s free of cost or arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a Royal Mail post office at an additional cost.
Where can you find the Royal Mail tracking number?
The Royal Mail tracking number, sometimes also called barcode or reference, and can be found on the parcel’s receipt. When shipping with Eurosender, you will receive a tracking number via email and can follow your parcel at any time by simply inserting the tracking number into our tracking system.
How does Royal Mail ’Click and Drop’ service work?
With Click & Drop service you can buy postage online, print it and then drop off your package in a postbox, Royal Mail Customer Service Point, or Post Office branch. To use the service, you need to register on Royal Mail website.