Royal Mail postage rate information
Welcome to our Royal Mail postal rates resource hub
Throughout the year, Royal Mail updates its prices for sending mail and parcels via its network. These changes can impact 1st and 2nd mail sent using stamps, franked mail and parcel delivery services. Our Postal Rates Hub gives you visibility of current Royal Mail postal rates and price adjustments to help you understand current postage prices.
Price list April 2024
Postage rate change FAQs
Instructions to update your franking machine
Royal Mail rates
Royal Mail postal rates news
Current Royal Mail Postage Rates - 2nd April, 2024.
Royal Mail introduced its latest update to postage rates on 2nd April, 2024 and confirmed that there will be no price increases for franked 1st Class and 2nd Class Letters and Large Letters. This means businesses can continue enjoying the convenience of franking their mail without worrying about additional costs.
Franked mail offers significant cost savings
The price change introduced on 2nd April means that those businesses that opt for franking are now making even greater savings:
You can consult our handy Royal Mail Price List for more information on the latest Royal Mail postage rates.
A Quadient franking machine not only offers peace of mind that you are getting the best postage rates for your business, they also offer a range of additional benefits including:
- Saving time - no more licking stamps or standing in lengthy post office queues
- Security and compliance - avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations
- Professional image - incorporate your logo or branding on your envelope as you frank it
- And much more!
Read more about why the benefits of franking go way beyond postage rate savings!
Everything You Need to Know About U.S. Mail and Shipping Rates
Our experts will break down the significant changes to postage rates, fees and special services from the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS. Get insights, insider tips and tons of resources to help you save big in 2024 and reduce the impact of rate increases on your bottom line.
What are the Royal Mail postage rates (current 2nd April 2024)
2024 First-Class Mail® postage rates
| Product | Stamped | Franked | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class Letter | £1.35 | £1.06 | £0.29 |
| 2nd Class Letter | £0.85 | £0.69 | £0.16 |
If your company still uses stamps to send business mail or purchases postage directly from the post office, you can save 4 cents or 6% on every letter. PLUS get other discounts and benefits by using a meter.
As of January 2024, get a 6% discount on every letter with a Quadient meter. Using a meter offers so many benefits:
- Get automatic rate updates so you always have access to the most current postal rates
- Eliminate the risk of overpaying or underpaying for postage
- Save money with commercial-base pricing
Now is the perfect time to explore how you can offset the price hikes from these rate increases with a postage meter or mailing system. As of January 2024, save 6% on every letter you mail.
Check out our Postage Meter Buyer's Guide or reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS® mail classes and services, download our handy 2023 Postage Rate Guide.
USPS Ground Advantage: what package service has it replaced?
As a part of the July 2023 rate change, USPS introduced a new package service called USPS Ground Advantage. USPS Ground Advantage is an affordable and reliable way to ground ship packages up to 70 lbs.
USPS Ground Advantage Features
• Packages delivered in 2-5 business days across the continental United States.
• Free package pickup service at home or in-office.
• Commercial and retail prices available.
• Free packaging Business customers can use USPS Ground Advantage return service as a convenient option for customers who need to send items back.
• $100 insurance included on USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Ground Advantage Return packages. Customers can purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage.
This service replaces USPS Retail Ground, USPS Parcel Select Ground, and USPS First-Class Package Service, First class package return, and ground returns. This is the primary option for sending hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that can’t go by air.
USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service)
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 oz. | $5.00 | $3.79 | $1.21 |
| 5 - 8 oz. | $5.70 | $4.21 | $1.49 |
| 9 - 12 oz. | $6.50 | $4.87 | $1.63 |
| 13 - 15.99 oz. | $8.00 | $6.17 | $1.83 |
Certified Mail®
Don't forget: You can reduce the impact on your business by using an online solution like ConnectSuite e-Certify. With e-Certify, you will use an electronic Return Receipt and save $1.37 on every Certified Mail® piece. You'll not only save 36% on the cost of Certified Mail, but you'll also save valuable time and resources.
Breaking it down, it will cost $8.73 to send a First-Class Letter as Certified Mail with a hard copy Return Receipt:
- $0.68 for the Postage
- $4.40 for Certified Mail fee
- $3.65 for Return Receipt Hard Copy
| Product | January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $4.40 |
| Return Receipt - Hard Copy | $3.65 |
| Return Receipt - Electronic | $2.32 |
| Signature Confirmation® | $11.65 |
Priority Mail® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: 1 – 3 business days. This service is a great choice when you need to send small, heavy items weighing up to 70 lbs.
During the seasonal competitive pricing increases, one of the best ways to help your business save is rate shopping. You can rate shop, compare pricing and get discounts all year long with shipping software. In fact, as of January 2024 you can save 48% on Priority Mail costs!
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Flat Rate Envelope | $9.85 | $8.50 | $1.35 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $10.15 | $8.80 | $1.35 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $10.60 | $9.30 | $1.30 |
| Small Flat Rate Boxes | $10.40 | $9.30 | $1.10 |
| Medium Flat Rate Boxes | $18.40 | $16.00 | $2.4 |
| Large Flat Rate Boxes | $24.75 | $21.85 | $2.90 |
| APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Boxes | $23.00 | $20.15 | $2.85 |
Priority Mail Express® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: Overnight. Available 365 days a year. Use this service when you need something delivered fast
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Envelope | $30.45 | $26.35 | $4.10 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $30.65 | $26.65 | $4.00 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $31.20 | $26.85 | $4.35 |
Watch our latest On Demand Webinar about the latest USPS Rate Changes.
The complete USPS filings with the updated prices are available on the USPS Postal Explorer website. If you want to keep up with any updates regarding the rate change event, you can check out our Mailing and Shipping Blog. To receive alerts and keep up with updates regarding USPS postage rate changes, increases, mailing tips and trends subscribe to our Quadient Connections newsletter.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS mail classes and services, download our handy 2023 Postage Rate Guide.
IMI compliance alert
ALL postage meters and mailing systems must be IMI compliant and registered with the USPS by December 2024*
Is your postage meter IMI compliant?
Don’t delay if you are using soon-to-be outdated IBI indicia technology. To become Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) compliant, you will need to acquire a postage meter that is able to send and receive data from USPS®. This change will also ensure your company’s mail system will be able to receive automatic updates such as rate changes. All Quadient iX-Series postage meters and mailing systems are IMI compliant and approved by the USPS.
There is no need to wait. IMI technology can help you be more efficient and help take the guesswork out of postage. Read more about decertification in our blog.
Learn more about the benefits of Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) with our infographic. We're here to help reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
*with a few exceptions