Small parcel delivery

If you’re sending a small parcel and want to get the best value for money, choose Royal Mail to deliver your small package safely.

Buy a postage label in a few simple steps, and away you go. Drop off your parcel at one of our parcel points, or use our FREE doorstep collection service.

Send your item
Customer preparing to send a small parcel

Sending your small parcel with Royal Mail

Whether you’re sending a book, a mug or something small for someone special, it can be a challenge to find the right service to get your pint-sized parcel delivered for the best price.

Luckily, we’ve developed a handy guide to ensure your parcel gets sent safely.
 

Can I send my small parcel as a letter?

Depending on how small your parcel is, it may be possible to send it as a letter - for example, if you’re sending a comic, a small book, a small box or an important document.

Here are the maximum postage sizes we use for letters:

  • Max weight: 750g
  • Max length: 35.3cm
  • Max width: 25cm
  • Max thickness: 2.5cm

If the dimensions of your envelope or parcel exceed the above, you’ll need to use our parcel postage service. 

Royal Mail’s size and weight guide is designed to help you find the service you need.
 

Small parcel postage sizes

These are the maximum postage sizes we use for small parcels:

  • Max weight: 2kg
  • Max length: 45cm
  • Max width: 35cm
  • Max thickness: 16cm

If you’re looking for the best-value service to send your small parcel, our Price Guide will help you decide which service is best for you.

If your small parcel contains expensive or sentimental goods, we’d recommend you use our Tracked 24 or Tracked 48 services for extra peace of mind - and you can keep an eye on your parcel through every step of its journey.

  • Or choose from Parcel Lockers, Parcel Postboxes or Parcelshops to drop your parcels off quickly and easily, at a time which suits you. You can print out your postage label using a QR code at Parcelshops; you’ll need to buy postage online and print your label at home if you’re using Parcel Postboxes or Parcel Lockers. Our Parcelpoints page can take you through all three of these postage services, and help you find your most convenient parcel drop-off location.
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We’re one of the UK’s most recognised and trusted brands, and our number one priority is delivering your parcels safely and on time. 

As well as offering value for money, our small parcel delivery service also includes:

  • Parcel collection from your home or workplace for free
  • We can even bring your postage labels too - so don’t worry if you don’t have a printer at home
  • If you’d prefer to drop off your parcel, we offer thousands of easy-to-reach drop-off locations around the UK
  • Arrange a parcel redelivery to your own address or another in your postcode area for free
  • Plus, we’re the UK's greenest delivery option* for letters and parcels

*Based on publicly available reported gCO2e per parcel from other UK parcel operators.

Start with the basics - ensure your parcel is safe and secure, and ready for its journey.

  • Use a sturdy box which won’t be crushed by heavier items en route, and leave minimal space to prevent shifting.
  • Wrap items in bubble wrap to protect them from impact. Ensure all sides are cushioned. Our guide to packaging fragile items can help you if your item could easily be broken. Mark parcels containing breakables with ‘FRAGILE’ on multiple sides.
  • Use strong, wide packing tape to seal all seams and edges. Double-tape for extra security.
  • If you’re addressing your small parcel yourself, print or write the address legibly, including the postcode. Use a waterproof label or cover with clear tape.
  • Include a return address on the back in case of delivery issues.

Once your parcel’s securely wrapped and ready for postage, you can use our Click and Drop service to book postage at home

Make sure you select the ‘Small parcel’ option and add the weight of your parcel - if in doubt, your kitchen scales should be perfect for getting its weight. You can also use bathroom scales, but they may not be as accurate if your parcel is very light.

Select the postage option you’d like and your postage label option.

If you don’t have a printer at home, you can:

If you buy postage online, your items will need to be posted within seven days.

We do our upmost to ensure your parcel gets delivered safely from A to B, but sometimes, items can go walkabout.

If your small parcel is lost, damaged, delayed or arrived with some of the contents missing, you may be eligible to claim compensation. 

You can use our Online Claim Form to recoup the cost of your missing small parcel. You’ll need to provide your details and the recipient’s details, as well as the service you used, where you posted your small parcel, and proof of posting.

If appropriate, you’ll also need to show pictures showing the damage and the packaging the parcel arrived in.

Our compensation policy for loss will give you more details on our compensation policy.