Sending a parcel within the UK

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Weigh and measure the finished package

Pack the item first, then check weight and dimensions. Letter, large-letter, small-parcel and other categories have different conditions; thickness alone can change the price. Use the box’s outside measurements rather than the item’s dimensions.

Royal Mail compares domestic services ↗. Check the full address and postcode, particularly for islands or remote locations. If selling through a marketplace, first establish whether its shipping label is mandatory.

Choose the protection required

Decide whether you need tracking, a signature, a guaranteed deadline or extra compensation. A signed service and continuous tracking are not necessarily the same; read the selected product description. A delivery aim is not a guaranteed arrival date.

Compare price, compensation limits, exclusions and return charges. Check category-specific conditions for jewellery, money, electronics and fragile goods. A declared selling price does not mean every service covers that amount.

Package for the actual contents

Check Post Office’s prohibited and restricted items ↗, including batteries, aerosols, liquids and perfume. Domestic posting can still involve special conditions. Do not use international restrictions as your only UK guide, because conditions can differ.

Choose a sturdy box, protect corners and fill empty space. Remove old labels and barcodes, seal seams and check the new address is readable. Photograph a valuable item’s condition and packaging before sealing. Avoid displaying unnecessary personal documents outside.

Obtain proof of acceptance

At drop-off, obtain a receipt; for collection, check confirmation of actual pickup. Buying a label alone does not prove the carrier received the parcel. Keep tracking, dispatch date and contents and value evidence.

As a seller, use the order address in accordance with marketplace rules. If the buyer asks after payment for delivery to another person, follow the official change procedure first. For delay or damage, check claim deadlines and assemble the receipt, photographs and value evidence. Keep damaged packaging until the matter is resolved.