Royal Mail Shipping

Royal Mail is a well-known postal service provider in the United Kingdom serving customers for more than 500 years. In today’s world of eCommerce, Royal Mail shipping has become a crucial aspect for businesses and individuals alike. One of its most convenient features is the Royal Mail tracking service, which enables you to track your package from dispatch to delivery.

This article aims to provide you with an in-depth understanding of Royal Mail shipping services, including the available options, costs, guidelines, and insurance and compensation. By the end of this article, you will have gained valuable insights into how to use Royal Mail’s shipping services effectively and the benefits they offer.

What are Royal Mail shipping services?

Royal Mail offers a comprehensive range of shipping services, both domestically and internationally. Here are some of the available options that you can choose from.

Royal Mail Tracked 24

Royal Mail Tracked 24 is a fast and reliable domestic service that delivers your parcel the next working day, including Saturdays, for an affordable price. This service is also ideal if you want to know where your parcel is at all times. You can track your parcel’s progress and receive notifications when it’s out for delivery.

Royal Mail Tracked 48

If you are looking for a more affordable option, Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivers your parcel within two to three working days. This service is similar to Royal Mail Tracked 24 but offers a more affordable option for those who don’t need next-day delivery.

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed service is perfect for urgent and valuable items, such as passports, legal documents, and jewellery. It offers guaranteed next-day delivery by 9 am or 1 pm, with insurance coverage of up to £2,500.

Royal Mail International Standard

This is the most affordable option for sending letters and parcels abroad, with delivery times ranging from 3 to 5 working days in Europe and 6 to 7 working days for the rest of the world.

Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed

This service offers full end-to-end tracking and signature on delivery for added peace of mind. Delivery times range from 3 to 5 working days in Europe and 6 to 7 working days for the rest of the world.

Royal Mail International Tracked

This service offers end-to-end tracking but doesn’t include a signature on delivery. Delivery times range from 3 to 5 working days in Europe and 6 to 7 working days for the rest of the world.

Royal Mail International Signed

This service includes a signature on delivery but doesn’t offer tracking. Delivery times range from 3 to 5 working days in Europe and 6 to 7 working days for the rest of the world.

Royal Mail International Economy

This is the most affordable option for sending parcels overseas, with delivery times ranging up to 2 weeks around Western Europe, 5 weeks around Eastern Europe, up to 6 weeks around North America, up to 8 weeks to Asia, Africa, and South America, and up to 12 weeks around Australia.

Royal Mail Shipping Tips

To ensure that your parcels arrive safely and on time, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Pack Your Parcel Carefully

It’s essential to pack your parcel carefully to prevent any damage during transit. Use appropriate packaging materials, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and sturdy boxes, to protect your items.

2. Use the Correct Address Format

Make sure that you use the correct address format when sending your parcel. Include the recipient’s full name, street address, city, postal code, and country.

3. Check for Restricted and Prohibited Items

Before sending your parcel, make sure to check for any restricted or prohibited items. Royal Mail has strict guidelines on what you can and cannot send, so it’s essential to check before you send.

4. Choose the Right Shipping Service

Choosing the right shipping service is crucial to ensure that your parcel arrives on time and within your budget. Consider the size, weight, and destination of your parcel to choose the best service for your needs.

5. Consider Insurance and Compensation

Consider adding insurance and compensation to your parcel to protect against loss or damage. Royal Mail offers different levels of insurance coverage, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your needs.

6. Print Your Labels

Printing your labels at home can save you time and money. You can print your labels and pay for your postage online using Royal Mail’s website.

7. Check the Cut-Off Times

Check the cut-off times for each service to ensure that your parcel is dispatched on the same day. Cut-off times may vary depending on the service and the location.

8. Track Your Royal Mail Parcels

Use Royal Mail’s tracking service or use a third-party tracking site like Ship24 to keep track of your parcel’s progress. You can receive notifications when your parcel is out for delivery and when it has been delivered.

Does Royal Mail deliver on Sunday?

No. Royal Mail only delivers parcels from Monday to Saturday. However, shipment tracking (or checking on the progress of your parcel) can be done 24/7 via the universal parcel tracking website Ship Resolve.

While no deliveries will be made on Sundays, if you have ordered a parcel or are sending a parcel to an international destination, the location and status of the parcel could still change, due to the fast movement of your parcel can still happen on Sundays, just it will definitely not be delivered at its final destination.