Royal Mail is consulting on a proposed change to their parcels format. The proposals apply to consumers, small non-contract business and franking customers.
The proposal is to extend the dimensions of Small Parcels so that items of up to 350 x 250 by 160mm would now be classed (and priced) as a Small Parcel.
The proposed new size is approximately the size of a large shoebox. Parcels up to 450 x 350 by 80mm would also continue to be priced as Small Parcels. Small Parcels can typically be carried on foot by posties as they complete their delivery rounds, as long as the weight does not exceed 2kgs.
The change would mean that over 80% of parcels delivered by Royal Mail would qualify as Small Parcels.
The proposal follows changes to Royal Mail’s parcels portfolio in April, which gave consumers the ability for the first time to send parcels between 1kg and 20kg using Royal Mail’s 2nd Class service, with the added option to receive a signature on delivery.
The new proposal has come about after customer feedback, and discussion with stakeholders, including eBay, suggesting a revised Small Parcel dimension, as items such as clothing and small electrical equipment have dimensions that typically exceed the current Small Parcel format.
Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, said: “The postal market is changing with the UK parcels market continuing to grow as consumers increasingly shop and sell online. Royal Mail is responding to these trends by updating its parcel services. We will consider further updates if customer feedback in the future indicates we should”.
The consultation will conclude on October the 16th meaning the change could be introduced later in October in plenty of time for the busy Christmas season.
10 Responses
Brilliant, this would be great for me as most parcels I send are just a little to tall for a small parcel at the moment.
obviously someone dropped a bollock and they have had a rethink
Having mugged the Public with the stupid sizing system, its pleasing to see people have voted with thier feet then. My Local Post Office tells me his revenue is down 30% since the parcel sizes where introduced. As a Seller, messing around trying to find a box that fits is a nightmare, and we simply don’t do it; its goes Collect+. I hope Collect+ drop the price to £4.00 upto 2kg in response; they can have all our business – and if they could expand to Europe with a tracking system that works via EMS without the ludicrous £5 surcharge of Royal Mail, they can have that business too.
A welcome change of direction. Doubtless brought on by dropping usage and competition.
This would be a great move on Royal Mails part as we are sending a huge amount of parcels via other couriers because of the small parcel size restrictions. Make it happen Royal Mail!
On another Royal Mail issue I am getting at least one parcel per week returned as undelivered due to incomplete address. This is due to the DMO RM Tracked thermal address label having faded completely so that the barcode and address have disappeared. These are Royal Mail supplied labels, it seems they are being left near a heat source or something – anybody else getting this?