Send a Parcel Royal Mail – Prices, Sizes and Options 2025

Sending a parcel with Royal Mail in 2025 means choosing between online postage, home collection, parcel lockers, or a local Post Office branch. Prices start from £3.65 for a small parcel sent second class, while tracked and international services offer flexibility for different needs. This guide covers prices, sizes, drop‑off methods, and key deadlines based on Royal Mail’s official information.

Whether you are a home seller, a small business owner, or someone sending a gift, Royal Mail provides several ways to send parcels within the UK and abroad. The right choice depends on your parcel’s size, weight, how quickly it needs to arrive, and where you want to drop it off.

Below you will find a step‑by‑step breakdown of Royal Mail’s parcel options for 2025, including clear price tables, a look at collection and locker services, and a comparison of what is definitely known versus what still depends on your specific shipment.

How to send a parcel with Royal Mail: Online, collections, lockers, and Post Office

Key insights

• The cheapest Royal Mail parcel option is a Small Parcel (up to 2 kg) sent via 2nd Class online – from £3.35 online or £3.90 at a Post Office.
• Buying postage online through Click & Drop or Royal Mail Online Postage is usually cheaper than paying at a Post Office branch.
• Parcel lockers offer 24/7 drop‑off – no need to queue, though locker availability varies by location.
• International services such as International Tracked & Signed provide end‑to‑end tracking and a signature on delivery.
• Over 11,500 Post Office branches accept Royal Mail parcels, making in‑person drop‑off widely accessible.

Royal Mail parcel size and price snapshot (2025 UK)

Figures are based on Royal Mail’s online price guide for 2025. Post Office branch prices are typically 10–20% higher for the same services. Always check the current price on Royal Mail’s official page before purchasing.

What are Royal Mail parcel sizes and prices? (2025 UK)

Royal Mail defines two main parcel tiers for domestic sending: Small Parcel and Medium Parcel. A Small Parcel can weigh up to 2 kg with maximum dimensions of 45 cm × 35 cm × 16 cm. A Medium Parcel can weigh up to 20 kg and measure up to 61 cm × 46 cm × 46 cm. There is also a Large Parcel category for items up to 30 kg (length plus girth up to 1.5 m), but that service is handled by Parcelforce Worldwide, not Royal Mail.

How parcel size affects price

The cost depends on the size tier, weight, service speed, and where you buy postage. For example, sending a 1 kg Small Parcel via 2nd Class online costs £3.35, while the same parcel at a Post Office counter costs £3.90. For a 10 kg Medium Parcel sent 1st Class, the online price is £5.85 versus £7.19 at the Post Office. Tracked services add a small premium but include tracking and compensation.

Online vs Post Office: which is cheaper?

Royal Mail’s online price guide applies to Click & Drop, Royal Mail Online Postage, and labels purchased through platforms like eBay, Amazon, and PayPal. When you pay at a Post Office counter, a separate (higher) price list applies. For a typical Small Parcel sent 1st Class, the difference is about 80p. For a Medium Parcel, it can be over £1.30.

Where can I send a parcel Royal Mail near me?

You have three main options for handing over your parcel: a Post Office branch, a home collection, or a parcel locker. The best choice depends on your schedule, location, and whether you have already bought postage online.

Post Office branches

With over 11,500 branches across the UK, the Post Office remains the most common drop‑off point. You can buy postage there (at branch prices) or drop off a parcel with a pre‑paid label. Many branches also offer printing services for labels bought online.

Home collection

When you buy postage online via Click & Drop or Royal Mail Online Postage, you can book a collection from your home or office. The postman brings the label if needed. Collection slots are typically during the usual delivery round; specific times are not guaranteed but you can request a Safeplace location.

Parcel lockers

Royal Mail parcel lockers allow 24/7 drop‑off. After buying online postage, you receive a barcode that you scan at the locker. The locker prints a label or uses your pre‑applied one. Not every area has lockers yet, and availability should be checked on the Royal Mail app or website before you plan your send.

What is the process for sending a parcel with Royal Mail?

1. Weigh and measure your parcel – check it fits within the Small or Medium size limits.
2. Choose your service – 1st Class, 2nd Class, Tracked 24, Tracked 48, Special Delivery, or an international option.
3. Buy postage – online (cheaper) or at a Post Office (more expensive). For online, you get a label or a barcode.
4. Print your label or get a collection code – if buying online, you can print at home or have the label brought during collection.
5. Drop off or request collection – take to a Post Office, locker, or book a home collection.
6. Track your parcel – if you selected a Tracked service, you can monitor progress online.

Royal Mail’s official sending page and Click & Drop walk you through each step. The entire process from buying postage to dropping off can take under ten minutes if you already have a printer.

What is clear and what remains uncertain about Royal Mail parcel services?

When planning an international shipment, always check the latest country guide on Royal Mail’s website. For example, sending to the USA in 2025 requires compliance with updated US customs rules that took effect on 29 August 2025. Royal Mail now offers USA PDDP services to help manage duties and taxes.

How does Royal Mail fit into the UK parcel market?

Royal Mail is the UK’s designated universal postal service provider. For personal and small business senders, the parcel market is competitive with alternatives like Evri, DPD, and Parcelforce. Royal Mail’s strength lies in its extensive network of Post Offices and parcel lockers, making it convenient for many. However, pricing for larger parcels may be less competitive than courier services that focus on heavy or bulky items.

If you are sending a parcel that exceeds the Medium Parcel limits (over 20 kg or larger than 61×46×46 cm), Royal Mail will not accept it through its own services – you would need to use Parcelforce Worldwide, which operates under the same parent company but offers separate size and price tiers.

What do Royal Mail’s official sources say?

“Send parcels from just £3.65.”

Royal Mail official site – parcel sending options

“You can now access both Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide delivery services.”

Royal Mail sending guide – sending page

“Quick and easy postage for occasional and personal senders.”

Royal Mail buy postage site – parcel.royalmail.com

The Post Office also provides a multi‑carrier comparison service – you can compare Royal Mail with Evri, DPD, and Parcelforce at postoffice.co.uk/mail. This can be useful if your parcel is large or heavy.

What should you remember when sending a parcel with Royal Mail?

Choose the cheapest option by buying online and using 2nd Class or Tracked 48 for non‑urgent items. Always measure and weigh your parcel before buying postage. For international shipments, check the destination country’s customs rules – especially for the USA in 2025. If you need a quick overview, Royal Mail’s Royal Mail parcel prices, sizes, and sending options 2025 guide covers the essentials.

Frequently asked questions