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.

Latest Royal Mail postage rate change  - 1 July, 2024.

Royal Mail introduced its latest update to postage rates on 1 July, 2024 and confirmed that these franking machine price increases affect Letters, Large Letters, and Business Mail Advanced products and services, and are above inflation.  Despite this, there continues to be a positive price differential between franking and stamps, still making it worthwhile to use a franking machine to help streamline postage processes and reduce costs.

You can consult our handy Royal Mail Price List for more information on the latest Royal Mail postage rates.

Unlock savings on postage costs by franking your mail with Quadient

The stamp price increase introduced on 1 July means that businesses that opt for franking continue to save money.

Mailmark® always offers the lowest tariff in the franking channel. A Quadient Mailmark® 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!

Franking is not just about paying postage; it’s about upgrading your entire mailing system to be more efficient, professional, secure and cost-effective. Take a look at our handy infographic, which explains why the benefits of franking go way beyond postage rate savings!

Your partner in efficient mailing

At Quadient, we are committed to helping your business optimise its mailing operations and reduce postage costs. Embrace a solution that evolves with your needs and protects you from stamp price increases. Let us help you transform your mailroom into a strategic asset.

Standard Letter

A Standard Letter weighs up to and including 100g and must measure no more than 240mm x 165mm x 5mm.  This could include items such as personal letters, bills, greeting cards or postcards.  Royal Mail 1st Class aims to deliver your mail the next working day, including Saturdays, and is the same price for all UK addresses.  Royal Mail 2nd Class is a more cost-effective service for less time-sensitive deliveries, with the aim to deliver within two to three working days.  The stamp price increase on the 1st July means that businesses that opt to frank with Quadient will continue to save money on postage.

Large Letter

A Large Letter weighs up to and including 750g and must measure no more than 250mm x 353mm x 25mm.  Some examples of large letter mailings include A4 documents, certificates, magazines, CD or DVD in cases and some large greeting cards.  Large letters can be sent by Royal Mail 1st or 2nd Class and the postage cost will depend on its weight as detailed in the table below.  With the increase in both 1st Class stamp price and 2nd Class stamp price on the 1st July, businesses that opt to frank with Quadient will continue to save money on postage.

Small Parcel

A small parcel weighs up to and including 2kg and measures no more than 450mm x 350mm x 160mm.  You choose whether you would like to send your parcel via 1st Class or 2nd Class speed.

Medium Parcel

A medium parcel weighs up to and including 20kg and measures no more than 610mm x 460mm x 460mm.  1st Class and 2nd Class options are available.

Speak to a Quadient mailing expert today to discuss the right franking solution for your needs and get access to the best Royal Mail postage rates for your business!

Confirmed services offer extra peace of mind by providing proof of delivery through a signature from the recipient on delivery   You still have the choice to send your items via 1st Class or 2nd Class, depending on how quickly you need them to arrive at their destination.

Learn more about the savings you can make from switching to a smart mailing solution from Quadient. Talk to one of our experts today. 

Guaranteed services are ideal for valuable or important items that must be there tomorrow. Royal Mail offers a Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service with compensation for loss or damage.   Check your parcel's size and weight to determine the correct price.  A franking machine offers businesses access to the best rates for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm.

We are ready to help.  Speak to a mailing specialist to find the perfect mailing and shipping solutions for your business and budget.

Before you mail

AIR MAIL stickers:  International Standard items (except those posted in Northern Ireland for the Irish Republic) need an AIR MAIL sticker, or write ‘BY AIR MAIL — PAR AVION’ in the top left corner on the front of the item

Correct postage:  Please remember that 1st Class UK postage is not sufficient for posting to any overseas destination (including European countries like the Republic of Ireland).

Prices in this table are exempt from VAT. Includes compensation up to £20.

Some restrictions apply to items sent abroad and these vary from country to country. To check current restrictions and international incidents visit the Royal Mail website.

A range of Guaranteed UK express timed services are available through the Post Office® and www.parcelforce.com.  For parcels over 2kg and/or larger than a Medium Parcel size (as shown above) – Parcelforce Worldwide offer a range of cost-effective delivery options. Maximum size limit applies. 

Parcelforce Worldwide offers a range of parcel delivery services to 240 countries and territories worldwide. Visit the Parcelforce Worldwide website for more information.