Get your posting right first time with our handy guide
If you’re not used to sending parcels, it can be easy to overlook the little things that ensure your package gets delivered on time and in order. Let’s make sure you get it right first time
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Guide
Step 1: Check you can post
Some items are prohibited
Remember that lots of everyday objects you wouldn’t think twice about are prohibited from being sent in the post. These include items like aerosols, nail varnish and perfumes. So before you post anything, it’s best to check what’s restricted and prohibited.
Step 2: Pick your box
Use a box that's big enough to safely fit what you're sending
You’ll want your items to fit as snuggly as possible without having room to move around, so choose a box that’s right for the job. There are plenty of packaging options available for items of any size, and you can pack any spare room with materials to hold your items in place. If you’re reusing a box, make sure it’s free from damage, especially at the corners and along folds. And of course it’s better to buy a box that’s too big than one that’s too small.
Step 3: Pack your box
Pack your box to protect your contents and make sure the box arrives intact
Prevent items from moving around in transit with packing. Try to be as green as possible with your choice of packing, but for some items the most appropriate choices are things like bubble wrap. You can buy packing materials quickly online, but there are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly options close to hand if you want. For instance, scrunching up newspaper pages to fill empty space can provide adequate cushioning for many items. We’ve got some useful info on how to pack your parcels in our guide.
Step 4: Address your package
The address format for a box is the same as for envelopes. Write or print address labels clearly. Use ink that doesn’t smear and include your return address and postcode for you and your recipient
Address your parcel in the same way you’d address a letter. If you're not sure of the address you're sending to - whether an entire address or just part of one - use a digital maps service or search engine like Google or Apple Maps to fill out the remaining details.
There’s a simple structure for all UK addresses:
Name of recipient
House name/number and street
Locality
(if relevant)
Village/town/city
(if the address is very remote but is near a village or town, you can put “Nr” followed by the nearest named area, but this is usually unnecessary)
County
(again, this is usually unnecessary if you have the town and postcode)
Postcode
(print all letters in capitals)
By addressing your parcel correctly you can rest east knowing that it’s on its way to the destination without confusion. Align addresses on the left-hand side of the front face of the parcel without going over any edges. If your parcel is an odd shape, it can help clarity to write the address on a separate piece of paper and then affix this to your parcel to draw attention to it. There’s more information on addressing parcels in our guide.
Step 5: Weigh your package
The size and weight of a parcel will also determine the type of postage you’ll need to attach
Weigh your package by using scales if you have them. This is best done by weighing yourself on the scales, then weighing yourself again holding the parcel and subtracting the first value from the second. If your package weighs less than 1kg, weighing it on its own might not register on standard bathroom scales. If you’ve got cookery scales, these can be useful provided your package fits easily on them. If you don’t have any scales at all, you can estimate the weight of your package by finding household items with standardised weighs (like bags of sugar) and comparing the two, but this is a crude measurement. There’s also a handy guide on max weights and how best to estimate your package weight.
Step 6: Choose a postage option
The best way to send your parcel depends on how quickly you want it to arrive and its size and weight. The more you’re willing to pay for a postage, the quicker your item will arrive
The price you’ll pay for postage will depend on a couple of factors. The first is your item’s weight. The second is how quickly you want it to arrive, and whether you want it or a signature from the recipient to confirm delivery.
Items sent 1st class are typically delivered within one working day and those sent using 2nd class post take roughly three working days, but neither are guaranteed.
If you choose Signed For®, delivery speeds are no quicker than normal 1st or 2nd class; they simply have the added security of being signed for upon receipt and are compensated up to £50 should they be lost or damaged.
Posting in the UK and need to guarantee an item to arrive before a specific time? Options for this include Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am® and Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm®. These deliver by 9am and 1pm the next working day respectively. There’s also Parcelforce Worldwide express24 and express48, which guarantee delivery by the end of the next working day or the next two working days respectively.
Other Parcelforce Worldwide services are available to suit your needs for items you’re sending internationally, including economy options, guaranteed delivery and tracking or signature on delivery.
To find the service that’s right for your parcel and what it will cost, use our postage price finder.
Step 7: Post your package
Pop in to see us and we’ll get your item in the post. If you’ve any further questions, for instance about pricing options, just ask – we’d love to see you
We’re here to help with whatever questions you have abut posting. Simply drop into your local branch and let us know how we can help.
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