Royal Mail are increasing weight and compensation levels across a range of their premium services for account customers. This will make the service more attractive for certain products and give peace of mind that if items are lost or damaged that full compensation could be available. The changes all kick in on the 3rd of April 2023.
It’s worth noting that these changes all apply to Royal Mail’s premium parcel services – those that they did their utmost to continue to deliver on time during the recent strike action. This indicates the direction that the company wish to move in the future and emphasises that their definition of ‘parcels’ doesn’t give much importance to formats that many online retailers use – namely large letters.
Change to the maximum weight for Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
From the 3rd of April 2023, the maximum permitted weight per single item carried by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed products is increasing from 10kg to 20kg for account customers. This change applies to all variants of Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed for account customers, other than the by 9am product, where the maximum permitted weight per single item will remain at 2kg.
Change to maximum value for Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
From the 3rd of April 2023,the maximum permitted value per single item that may be carried by any Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed product is increasing from £2,500 to £5,000.
The maximum value of compensation paid will remain at £2,500, it is just the maximum permitted value per single item that is being increased. Currency, foreign exchange and similar items are excluded from this change, and the maximum permitted value of such items sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed products shall remain at £2,500.
Change to maximum value for Royal Mail Tracked and Royal Mail Tracked Returns
From the 3rd of April 2023, the maximum permitted value per single item that may be carried by Royal Mail Tracked and Royal Mail Tracked Returns is increasing from £500 to £750.
Change to inclusive compensation for Royal Mail Tracked and Royal Mail Tracked Returns
From the 3rd of April 2023, the inclusive compensation per single item carried by Royal Mail Tracked and Royal Mail Tracked Returns is increasing from £100 to £150.
Parcels withdrawn from Publishing Mail and Advertising Mail
Also from the 3rd of April 2023, parcel formats will be withdrawn from Royal Mail’s Publishing Mail and Advertising Mail products.