There are three common types of stamp, each with a different cost and purpose. The higher the class of stamp, the shorter the time period for Royal Mail delivery:

• 2nd class should be delivered within 3 working days after posting
• 1st class should be delivered the next working day (not including weekends) after posting
• Special delivery should be delivered on the date of your choosing

If you have put the wrong stamp on the mail, Royal Mail may be unable to deliver it as a result. You should contact Royal Mail if you suspect that this is the case as it will be disposed of if unclaimed for more than one month.

More information on stamps and timescales for mail can be found by visiting:

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/stamps

The size restrictions for post sent by Royal Mail are as follows. –

• Letter – Max 100g | Max L 24cm x W 16.5cm x D 0.5cm E.g. Greetings cards, personal letters and postcards
• Large Letter – Max 750g | Max L 35.3cm x W 25cm x D 2.5cm E.g. Magazines, CDs and DVDs
• Small Parcel Max 2kg | Max L 45cm x W 35cm x D 16cm E.g. Handbags, shoes and board games
• Medium parcel Max 20kg | Max L 61cm x W 46cm x D 46cm E.g. Heavy or bulky items
• Tubes and Rolls Max 2kg | Max L 90cm x W * x D * The length plus twice the diameter must be less than 104cm, with the greatest dimension less than 90cm.

Royal Mail have produced an excellent video guide to size restrictions on mail. You can view this video by visiting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-O_YZ-oZQo

If you are receiving mail from outside of the UK, additional payments may have to be made. Royal Mail should send a letter or post card to you that details all additional costs and how you can pay them. The types of payments that you may need to make are:

• Customs Duty – This becomes payable if the goods are over £135 in value. The amount you are charged is dependent on the price paid for the goods, plus any local sales taxes, postage costs, packing and insurance.
• Excise Duty – This is paid in addition to customs duty for alcohol and tobacco products. The amount depends on volume and alcohol content (alcohol), by retail price (cigarettes) and by kilogram (for other tobacco products).
• Value Added Tax (VAT) – This is paid for gifts worth more than £39, and on all other goods. VAT is charged in proportion to the price paid for the goods, the postage, the packaging, the insurance and any duty that a customer owes.
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Further information on these charges can be found on the Gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

It is possible to have your post redirected to a different address if required. This is advisable in circumstances where you can’t access your post from the current address or if you do not wish to receive your post from the current address (e.g. privacy reasons). It is advisable to use this service when you are moving home and have not updated your address to those that send you post.

https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection.

If you are currently in, or are going to be sent to prison and want to make sure that your post is secure, one of the following methods can be used:

• Ask someone you trust to periodically collect post that is delivered to your property.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected to the prison. The prison staff can search certain parcels and letters. You will be allowed the materials to write a letter to someone outside of prison, but this may also be subject to searches.
• Consider informing those that you receive post from (e.g. the DWP and your bank) that you won’t be able to collect your post from your property and ask for it to be sent to the prison, or to the address of someone you trust.

There are a number of methods that can be used to stop junk mail from being sent to your home. Certain methods will be better suited to different circumstances. These methods are:

• Putting up a sign forbidding certain types of mail
• Sending a Door-to-Door opt out form to Royal Mail requesting them to stop delivering leaflets and brochures
• Calling the Direct Marketing Association on 020 7291 3300 to reduce the amount of marketing mail you get
• Call the Mailing Preference Service on 020 7291 3310 to stop advertising material being sent
• Contact the electoral registration office and ask to be taken off the open register. You can find your local office by visiting:
• https://www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office.

Note – These methods cover junk mail / marketing material from certain organisations and sent by specific means.

This does not automatically stop all junk mail – hand delivered leaflets and promotional material may still be delivered to you.

Franking technology (often used by businesses) is a method used to apply labels required for posting. This technology can be used to streamline the process of preparing post before sending it.

However, it is possible to underpay if the postage is prepaid. If an underpayment occurs, you will need to pay it back with an additional surcharge. The Royal Mail will send a letter detailing the underpayment and all charges that need to be paid (except for Mailmark brand machines where this information is sent via the machine).

You should raise a complaint with the Royal Mail if you deny underpaying or disagree with the amount being charged.