Parcels and letters

Choose from next day, tracked, signed for and standard services from a range of providers.

With selected services available as well.

amazon logo dpd logo DHL logo EVRi logo Royal Mail logo PARCEL FORCE WORLDWIDE logo

Providers available at participating branches in the UK. DHL available in Northern Ireland only for collections only.

Buy online with Parcels Online

Buy postage online from just £2.91 excl. VAT with Evri and DPD. Then drop off at a participating Post Office branch.

Our online carriers

Buy postage in branch

Send, collect and return your items with a range of Royal Mail, DPD, Evri and Parcelforce Worldwide services available in our branches.

Services available in branch from:

dpd logo EVRi logo Royal Mail logo PARCEL FORCE WORLDWIDE logo

View postage products

Royal Mail UK parcels and letters Royal Mail International parcels and letters DPD UK parcels Evri parcels

Collect and drop off

Find out how to collect, drop off and return your items in branch – including with our fast-drop service for regular senders.

Collect items

Too busy to stay home and wait for deliveries? Collect your online shopping from your local Post Office branch.

Drop off items and returns

Sending mail? Drop it off in branch. Bought an item you want to send back? Pop your returns into any Post Office.

Drop & Go for regular senders

Our handy fast-drop service for regular senders and marketplace sellers saves time and is free to sign up.

Find your nearest Post Office branch

Have an item to collect, drop off or return? Need to buy postage for Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide services? Pop into your local branch.

Getting started

How to send a letter How to send a parcel How to address mail How to send internationally

Preparing to send

Customs forms Prohibited and restricted items Sending valuables How to pack a parcel

Help with postage

Missed delivery Lost and damaged items Postage compensation Items wrongly delivered

In-branch

Save time in-branch Self-service kiosks

Some common posting questions

What can I send in the post?

Many everyday items you wouldn’t think twice about sending can’t be sent in the post. Before sending an item, you must check the restriction list for the country you’re posting to. If you're sending your item at Post Office, you'll be asked about the contents of your parcel at the counter. We promise we’re not being nosey. It's to make sure the items are safe to post. If you send prohibited or restricted goods in your parcel, the carrier may deal with it as they see fit, which might involve disposing of or destroying it.

How do I format the address on my parcel?

For UK post, address your parcel in the same way you'd address a letter. Write or print the addresses clearly, don't cover any part of the label, and use ink that doesn't smear so all the relevant information is easy to check. International mail follows the same address format as a UK letter with the addition of a country. You'll need to use the full address, including the zip code or postcode, and write the country on the last line of the address in English using capital letters. Please don't use country abbreviations such as FR for FRANCE. You must include the correct address to make sure it reaches its destination.

How do I package my parcel?

Choose a box that’s the right size for the job. If you’re reusing a box, make sure it’s free from damage, especially at the corners and along folds. It’s better to buy a box that’s too big than one that’s too small and use packing materials to fill any empty space. Your item should fit as snuggly as possible so it’s secure and doesn’t move around. If the item is delicate or easily breakable, you should consider using bubble wrap.

Do I need to fill out a customs form?

Custom forms are mandatory for all gifts and goods sent outside the UK from England, Scotland or Wales. If posting from Northern Ireland, they're only needed for non-EU destinations, except the UK. They help local customs authorities identify if items you’re sending internationally are allowed into their destination country and calculate any duties or taxes due. Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued under £270 will require a CN22 customs form. Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued over £270 will require a CN23 customs form. Goods and gifts sent with Parcelforce Worldwide services will require a CP72 customs form regardless of the item value. All customs details for services purchased through Parcels Online with DPD and Evri are filled in during the booking process online. To make sure your package arrives at its destination, please complete all custom form information correctly. Any mail with incomplete or missing customs forms is likely to be returned to the sender.

Why might I need to track my parcel?

There are lots of reasons to request parcel tracking when you send an item. Its contents might be urgent or valuable, or you may simply want to know it arrived safely. Having the ability to track your parcels means you can always check their whereabouts wherever in the UK or overseas you send them, and whichever carriers you choose to handle delivery.

Can I track a parcel with proof of postage?

Parcels Online services with DPD and Evri provide your tracking number via email, in your order history if you have an account, and on your Post Office receipt. You can use the reference number on your proof of postage to track your items. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide can only be tracked if you've bought a service with a tracking or reference number. You'll need the reference number on your Post Office receipt to track your items.

How do I track a parcel I'm sending overseas?

Parcels Online services with DPD and Evri are fully tracked. Enter the tracking number into the Parcels Online tracking tool to locate your parcel. Royal Mail's International Tracking and Signature services provide different levels of tracking. Please check the service details to see what tracking it offers before entering the tracking number into the Royal Mail tracking tool. Parcelforce Worldwide's international globalpriority and globalexpress services are fully tracked. Enter the tracking number into the Parcelforce Worldwide tracking tool to locate your parcel.

How do I return a parcel?

Follow the instructions given by the vendor on either their website or on the delivery note included with your item. Many offer a free returns service you can use at the Post Office. Or you can pay to return your item at any of our branches.

How does your parcel return service work?

Make sure the item is correctly packaged and addressed with the correct returns label included. Then bring it into branch and we’ll give you a Certificate of Posting to confirm you’ve posted it back to the retailer. Printer-less returns are available with selected retailers. You can bring a QR code into branch with your correctly packaged items and we’ll print the returns label for you (check with your retailer for availability).

Can I return a parcel without paying postage?

Lots of items are free to return, but there are some exceptions. If you do need to pay, our price finder tool can help you find the most affordable option.

Can Post Office branches print returns labels for all retailers?

We recommend you check with your retailer to see if they provide this option.

I don’t have the original packaging of the item I’m returning. What do I do?

If you don’t have the original product packaging, use packaging which has a suitable strength and thickness for the size and weight of the goods being posted. You can find more information within our guide on how to pack a parcel.