Key Takeaways
You can send letters and parcels across the UK or abroad via royal mail and parcelforce worldwide at any staffed post office branch, with staff ready to help you choose the right service.
Buy postage online or in branch, then drop off at your chosen service point for a quick and easy way to send an item.
Correct packaging, clear addressing, and checking restricted items before you visit are essential to avoid delays or damage.
Tracking, compensation cover, and proof of posting are available on many royal mail and parcelforce services, giving you peace of mind for valuable sending.
A branch finder tool helps you locate your nearest post office branch to send, collect items, and handle returns.
How to Send a Package from a Post Office Branch
Whether you need to post a small letter, a 1kg parcel across the UK, or a 10kg box overseas, the process at a post office follows the same core steps. This handy guide walks through everything from preparation at home to handing your item over at the counter in June 2026.
Here's the order:
Check what you can post
Pick and pack your box properly
Address and label it clearly
Weigh, measure, and choose a service
Buy postage (online or in branch)
Hand it over at the counter or kiosk
Post Office staff can guide you if you're unsure which royal mail or parcelforce worldwide option will suit your needs.
Check You Can Post the Item
Some everyday goods are prohibited or restricted when sending items with royal mail and parcelforce. Common examples include aerosols, perfume, nail varnish, gel polish, and power banks or devices containing lithium batteries.
Before you buy postage, check the current Royal Mail guidance on prohibited and restricted items. At the post office counter, staff will ask what's inside your parcel for safety reasons. Sending prohibited items can lead to delays, returns, or destruction of the contents, and may void any compensation cover entirely.
Pick and Pack Your Box Properly
Good packaging is key to ensuring letters and parcels arrive safely and qualify for the correct price band.
Use sturdy packaging to secure items during delivery. Choose a box or padded envelope slightly larger than the contents so there's room for cushioning rather than squeezing everything in. Use a box that fits snugly around the item without excessive empty space.
Use strong, undamaged boxes. Reused boxes must be free from damage, especially at corners and folds. Remove or cover any old barcodes and delivery labels.
Use bubble wrap for delicate or breakable items. Scrunched newspaper or paper works well for general cushioning. Seal every opening with strong parcel tape.
For bulky or heavy parcels, parcelforce worldwide services may be the better option when dropped at a post office branch.
Address and Label Your Package Clearly
Clear, correct addressing helps royal mail and parcelforce deliver quickly and avoid returns. Address the package clearly with recipient details and a return address.
UK address format: house number, street name, town or city, and full postcode. Write in clear, waterproof ink that won't smear.
Placement: the delivery address goes on the largest, flattest face of the parcel - not wrapped around corners or hidden under tape.
Return address: add it on the opposite side or in the top-left corner so undeliverable parcels can be sent back.
International mail: you must include the full address and country in English. Write the destination country name in English capitals on the last line (e.g. "FRANCE", "CANADA") without abbreviations. Address parcels clearly, using capital letters for countries.
Weigh, Measure, and Choose the Right Service
Postage price bands depend on size, weight, destination, and whether tracking or compensation is required. Use kitchen scales for items under 1kg to determine weight at home, or bathroom scales for heavier ones. Staff can also weigh items at the counter.
Category | Maximum Size | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
Letter | 240 × 165 × 5 mm | 100g |
Large Letter | 353 × 250 × 25 mm | 750g |
Small Parcel | 450 × 350 × 160 mm | 2kg |
Medium Parcel | 610 × 460 × 460 mm | 20kg |
Ensure individual boxes weigh no more than 20kg for Royal Mail. Parcelforce worldwide is best for heavy parcels and international shipping, handling larger items up to around 30kg and maximum size dimensions well beyond standard Royal Mail limits.
When you compare options, consider delivery speed, level of tracking, and included compensation cover. Business senders or marketplace sellers sending multiple parcels every week can look at Royal Mail Click & Drop or a business account for better prices and collections.
Buy Postage: Online vs In Branch
You have two ways to pay for correct postage: pre-pay online or pay in-branch for mailing services.
Online: you can buy postage online from £2.91 excl. VAT for many services. Print your label at home, and you'll receive a tracking number via email after purchasing postage online. Then drop items at a participating post office branch.
In branch: staff weigh and measure the item, present all our services across royal mail and parcelforce worldwide, and print the label and any required customs forms.
Do not affix stamps and online labels together - use one clear method of postage per item. Competitors like Evri and DPD provide competitive pricing for mid-sized packages, but Post Office branch access to Royal Mail and Parcelforce remains the widest network in the UK.
Post Your Package at the Post Office
Once your parcel is packed, addressed, and labelled, the final step is dropping it at a post office branch or self-service kiosk. You can drop off parcels at Post Office branches for various services.
At the counter: staff scan the barcode, confirm the chosen service, and issue a receipt. Obtain a receipt to prove the item was posted - keep it safe.
Self-service kiosks: some branches let you weigh, pay, print labels, and post items without queuing.
Drop & Go: ideal for regular senders with multiple parcels and pre-loaded payment, enabling same-day dispatch in one quick visit.
Pre-paid postbox: you can post pre-paid mail in a postbox if it fits the opening, though a post office branch is recommended for proof of posting or larger items.
UK Delivery Options: Royal Mail and Parcelforce
Royal Mail offers standard post and various courier services for domestic UK letters and parcels. Royal Mail delivers letters, cards, and lightweight parcels reliably. Royal Mail delivered approximately 2.2 billion parcels last year - and handled approximately 2.2 billion parcels across their network.
Key domestic options include:
1st Class / 2nd Class: affordable for small and medium parcels; delivery typically within one to two working day windows.
Signed For: adds a signature requirement on delivery for extra security.
Tracked 24 / Tracked 48: full tracking with next-day or two-day delivery targets.
Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm: next-day guarantee with signature, photo proof, and up to £750 compensation. Price starts around £9.95 at the counter.
Parcelforce services like express24 and express48 are suitable for heavier or larger UK parcels and are easy to arrange at a branch. For time-sensitive items such as legal documents, choose a guaranteed-time service and keep your receipt safe.
International Letters and Parcels
Post Office branches can help you send parcels from the UK to destinations worldwide with royal mail and parcelforce worldwide. Royal Mail offers international delivery services for parcels, including tracked, signed, and economy options for smaller items. Royal Mail's International Tracking offers different tracking levels depending on the service chosen.
For heavier parcels or urgent shipments, parcelforce worldwide provides global priority and express services. Parcelforce Worldwide's globalpriority and globalexpress services are fully tracked from collection to delivery at the destination.
Custom forms are mandatory for international items sent from the UK. For most Royal Mail items, a CN22 form covers lower-value shipments, while a CN23 applies above that threshold. Custom forms are mandatory for international gifts over £270. Parcelforce uses CP72 forms for international parcels. Incomplete or incorrect declarations can cause delays, returns, or charges at the other end.
Collect, Drop Off, and Return Items at the Post Office
The post office is not only for sending items - you can also collect items sent to your local branch instead of waiting at home, often using a collection code, ID, or Royal Mail attempted delivery card.
Most branches accept parcel drop-offs and pre-paid returns for royal mail and parcelforce. Many online retailers offer free returns via the Post Office.
Printer-less returns are possible: just bring a qr code to the branch and staff will print the returns label for you.
Always request a certificate of posting for returns and keep it until the retailer confirms your refund or replacement.
Tracking, Proof of Posting, and Compensation
Select services including tracking or signature for security when sending valuable or time-sensitive items. Royal Mail tracking requires a service with a tracking number - basic 1st and 2nd class without barcodes only offer a certificate of posting as proof.
Tracked and premium services provide a reference number on the receipt or via the app, which you can enter on the carrier's website to browse and follow progress. Most royal mail and parcelforce services bought via the post office include some level of compensation cover for loss or damage. As of April 2026, Parcelforce caps compensation at £7,500 per consignment, while Special Delivery offers options up to £10,000 for consequential loss.
Keep your receipt and tracking number - you'll need them to manage any claims.
Finding Your Nearest Post Office Branch
Use the online branch finder to locate your nearest post office branch - search by postcode or town to find opening times, available services, and accessibility information. Some branches offer extended hours or weekend access, which is useful for people posting parcels outside standard working hours.
Check in advance whether a branch is located near you and offers the specific services you need, such as parcelforce worldwide drop-off, self-service kiosks, or Drop & Go. Note that rural or smaller branches may have earlier cut-off times for same-day dispatch, so posting earlier in the day is advisable.
FAQ
Do I have to go to a Post Office branch to send a parcel with Royal Mail?
Not always. Many barcoded Royal Mail parcels can be posted in parcel postboxes or collected from home if bought online. However, using a post office branch is recommended when you need proof of posting, advice on the range of services, or need to send Special Delivery and some international items that require customs forms.
Can I send a package abroad without filling in a customs form?
For almost all gifts and goods sent from the UK to countries outside the UK, a customs form (CN22, CN23, or CP72 for parcelforce worldwide) is legally required. Sending without one can cause delays, returns, or unexpected charges at the destination. Approximately 2.2 billion parcels were delivered last year by Royal Mail, and smooth customs documentation is what keeps international mail moving.
What happens if my parcel is too big or heavy for standard Royal Mail services?
Parcels above Royal Mail's maximum size or weight limits (20kg, 61 × 46 × 46 cm for medium parcels) must be sent via parcelforce worldwide, which can handle larger items up to around 30kg and greater dimensions. These can still be arranged and handed over at a post office branch.
Can I send multiple parcels quickly without queuing every time?
Regular senders and marketplace sellers can use fast-drop solutions such as Drop & Go or pre-paid online labels. This lets you hand over several parcels at once at the counter or designated drop area, with receipts and tracking provided in one go - a quick and easy way to manage high-volume sending.
Is my parcel insured automatically when I post it?
Most Royal Mail and Parcelforce products include a basic level of inclusive compensation cover. However, higher-value goods - like shoes, electronics, or jewellery - may need a premium service or extra cover added at the post office counter to ensure adequate protection against loss or damage.
