With the holiday season quickly approaching, millions of Britons earnestly prepare to… They make cards and wrap parcels full of affection to send to their favorite people. With Royal Mail and other carriers like DHL handling millions of deliveries, knowing the last posting dates and prohibited items is crucial for ensuring gifts arrive on time. This year Royal Mail has introduced hard deadlines for each service and made clear what not to send.
Royal Mail’s final posting date for second-class Christmas cards sent within the UK is December 17. For anyone mailing first-class mail, the deadline goes as late as December 20 for certain international destinations. Knowing these timelines in advance can help take the anxiety out of holiday shipping.
Other than deadlines, perhaps the most important thing for you to know is what you’re not allowed to bring. Royal Mail bans the sending of items including nail varnish, perfume, aftershave, and secateurs. In similar fashion, DHL bans customs designer items including handbags and clothing, and antique goods. Knowing about these limitations in advance can help you avoid shipping horror stories before they ever happen.
Royal Mail Pricing Overview
Royal Mail is the only postal operator that is required to provide a range of pricing options based on the size and weight of parcels. The price of a second-class stamp has risen to 87p and first-class stamps to £1.70. For small parcels weighing up to 2kg, the standard second-class price is £3.50 when purchased online and £3.99 at the post office.
The pricing for large letters is equally erratic, with second-class rates starting at £1.55 and going up to £2.70. The cost of first-class large letters is currently between £3.15 and £3.60. Small parcels are priced at £3.05 and £3.30 under first-class service. If you want to ship internationally, Royal Mail’s untracked large letter standard delivery starts from £3.40.
Gurpreet Chhokar of Which? remarked, “The festive season is the busiest time of year for sending post and deliveries, and many of us will understandably be worried about whether important Christmas post will arrive on time.”
Royal Mail has a comprehensive price guide available on its website. This guide assists customers in determining the most appropriate delivery method to fit their business requirements.
Issues with Parcel Deliveries
Though delivery services have drastically improved restaurant convenience, all is not easy. Citizens Advice recently reported that about 15 million people had issues with parcel deliveries in the last year. This is a good reminder that it’s always better to plan ahead when possible and send gifts safely.
Retailers such as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer offer free delivery on any order over a set total. This is a win-win for customers who want to cut back on shipping costs! Additionally, MoneySavingExpert notes that “This can really help with larger or heavier gifts, as Royal Mail and parcel companies charge by size and weight, while retailers don’t tend to – it’s normally based on the underlying cost of the item.”
Learn the ins and outs of postal services, retailer policies and business customer solutions. This will go a long way in making sure everything runs smoothly during this busy season.
Sending Gifts Abroad
For people mailing gifts from England, Wales, or Scotland to countries outside the UK, different rules pertain. A customs declaration (CN22) is needed for gifts under £270. Completing this form accurately is the best first step toward preventing any delays or problems once you arrive in customs.
Aside from administrative customs forms, proper labeling goes a long way to cover the bases. Parcel2Go recommends steering clear of general terms such as “gift” or “clothing” on customs paperwork. Rather, they push for granular text like “knitted woollen scarf, garment.”
The importance of accuracy in labeling and record keeping is more important than ever this busy holiday season.