Whether you want to send a one-off letter, or several parcels, Royal Mail’s Send an item is the quick and easy way to buy postage that fits around you.
To get started, go to our home page. Here you can find all the information you’ll need on how you can buy your postage and send your item.
Your item
- If you're sending internationally, select the country that you want to send your item to from the list, or start typing the name of the country. The most popular destinations appear at the top of the list.
- Select the weight and size of your item. Please take a moment to check that the dimensions of your item do not exceed the maximum dimensions of your selected package size.
- Review the item summary provided, then click on ‘Continue’.
Service
- On this page, the services available for your package will be displayed. Some services have additional options, such as free collection, tracking, or requiring a signature. Some tracked services also allow SMS and email notifications. These will be sent by Royal Mail to the phone number and/or email address provided to let you know when your item is on its way.
- Depending on the services selected, item cover may also be offered to provide compensation for damage or part loss. Select the cover amount closest to the value of your items.
- Click the ‘Continue’ button.
Destination
- On this page, please enter the address where you want to send your item. If you're sending within the United Kingdom, you can begin typing part of the address or postcode into the Postcode search field, or alternatively, click the ‘Enter address manually’ link to show all available fields. As a minimum, you must include a name or company name, the first line of the address, and a town/city. For items within the United Kingdom, a postcode is also required.
- If you’re sending items outside of the United Kingdom, you’ll be asked to include further details about what your package contains in this section. Depending on the country you have selected, these extra details may be mandatory for customs.
- The customs declaration category is required to describe the basis on which the goods are being sent.
- The item description should be a short description of the item you're sending. For example, 'books', 'photographs', 'clothes' or 'chocolate'.
- The quantity refers to the number of this type of item that you're sending. For example, if you're sending 2 books, enter '2' here.
- The item weight and item value should be the weight (in grams or kilograms) and value (in pounds) of a single one of these items. We multiply these values by the quantity to get the total weight, which is displayed underneath each of these fields.
- If you're sending more than one type of item in a single package, use the 'Add another item' button further down the page to describe the other items that you're sending.
Sender
- On this page, please enter your own details. This address will be used if the item needs to be returned to you. Begin typing your address or postcode into the Postcode search field, or alternatively, click the ‘Enter address manually’ link to show all available fields.
- Select if you would like to arrange a collection for the item or to drop the item off. If your item has a ‘free collection’ as part of the service, a collection will have to be arranged, however this can be removed from the basket at the point of checkout if a drop off is preferred.
- If you already have a collection booked for today, and it hasn't been picked up yet, you can select the option to hand over your new item with that collection. Alternatively, you can arrange a new collection by selecting a suitable collection date and if you would like your label printed at no extra cost. You can also tell us about your SafePlace and if a dog is at the collection address.
- Once you have completed this section, click the ‘Add to basket’ button.
Your Basket
- On this page, you can:
- Add more items to your basket by clicking the 'Send another item' button.
- Edit or remove items from your basket using the 'Edit' and 'Remove from basket' links alongside each item.
- Choose to drop your items off by selecting 'I will drop it off'.
- Arrange a collection for your item by clicking ‘Arrange Collection’.
- Remove individual collections by clicking 'Delete'.
- Send a similar item to assist another purchase using previous item information by clicking ‘Send similar item’.
- Complete your purchase - see below.
Checkout
- From the basket page, which you can access at any time by clicking the basket icon in the top right corner of the page:
- Enter your email address so we can send you your postage confirmation.
- Confirm you are not sending any prohibited or restricted items.
- Confirm you have understood our terms and conditions.
- Once you've completed the steps above, choose whether to pay with a debit or credit card or by PayPal.
Sending your item
- Once your payment has been successfully completed, you'll have access to the documents and QR codes you require to send your item. See the Sending your item and Printing sections below for more information.
Do I need to fill out a customs form?
Yes, if you’re sending goods (including gifts) to a country outside the UK.
You will need to complete customs declarations form (CN22 or CN23) for gifts and goods sent abroad.
How do I fill out a customs declaration form?
We will ask you questions as you go through the process of purchasing international postage. Make sure you answer accurately.
After you have paid for your international label, you can download a pre-filled CN22 or CN23 form by clicking on the 'View your documents' button on the payment confirmation page. We'll provide you with the form you need based on the value of the item that you declared when you purchased your label. Both declaration forms are also available at your local Parcelshop - Post Office branch.
- All items with contents up to the value of £270 must have a signed and dated CN22 customs declaration form attached to the front.
- Any item with a value in excess of £270 must have a fully completed CN23 customs declaration form.
You can find out more about customs declaration forms by visiting the Royal Mail website.
Which items are prohibited and restricted for sending overseas?
There are some items which Royal Mail is unable to carry internationally for legal or health and safety reasons. Please check whether the items you intend to post are prohibited or restricted before you send them.
Which countries am I unable to send to?
Items that are being sent to some destinations will not be accepted by Royal Mail. Please refer to the International incidents update for around-up of any issues which may be affecting mail services to and from countries around the world.
Getting started
Many of our services include a ‘free collection’ or offer a collection at a small charge, which can be scheduled at the same time as buying your postage.
If a collection was not scheduled at the point of obtaining postage, it can be done using Parcel Collect. Select ‘Arrange a collection’ from the Send an item website. You'll then be guided through the process of arranging the collection of up to ten items.
Your items
On this page you can tell us which items you'd like collecting. The type of items you can arrange collection for fall in to one of two categories:
-
Items that you're sending by Royal Mail with postage that you're in the process of purchasing (i.e. are currently in your basket).
For these items, select the first option then simply select the item that you'd like collecting from the dropdown list which is presented to you.
-
Items that you're sending by Royal Mail with postage that you purchased previously via Send an item or other similar service, or postage for an item being returned using a Royal Mail Tracked Return service.
For these items, you'll need to get a reference number from the label that you're using to send the item. Your label will have one or two different reference numbers printed on it:
- If your label has a tracking number (in the form
AB 1111 0000 1CD
) then click on 'Yes, there's a tracking number' and enter this in the Tracking number field. - If your label doesn't have a tracking number, it will have an 11- or 21-character postage item ID printed on it instead, so if this is the case then click on 'No, there's only a postage item ID' and enter this in the Postage item ID field.
- If your label has a tracking number (in the form
Once you've entered your reference number, select the size and weight of your item. This just helps us to ensure that we'll have the capacity to collect all the items on the route.
You can add more items to your collection using the 'Add another item' button. You can add a combination of items from your basket and previously purchased items, up to a maximum total of ten items.
Once you've added your item(s), click 'Continue'.
Collection address
Here you need to tell us where you want the items collected from. If you already have other items in your basket then we will pre-select the sender address that you used for those items, but you can also tell us if you want it collected from somewhere else, like your workplace. Once you've confirmed the address, click 'Continue'.
Date
Assuming at least one slot is available for your collection, we'll show you the list of available slots for collection.
Depending on the service you're using, you may also have the option of selecting a Safeplace at this point, and we also ask that you mention if you have any dogs at this property so that we can ensure a safe collection.
Bring My Label
If you don't have a printer at home, you might be able to ask us to bring a label to your door when we come to collect your items.
If you're in an eligible area, and your package is being sent to a recipient within the UK or internationally, then you will be able to select the Bring My Label checkbox for eligible packages.
To find out more about Bring My Label, please visit royalmail.com/collection.
Add to your basket
Once you've chosen a slot and entered any other necessary information, click 'Add to basket'.
Note that at this point your collection slot will be reserved for 15 minutes while you checkout and pay.
Complete your purchase
Once you're happy with the items in your basket, you can complete your purchase:
- Enter your email address so we can send you your confirmation emails.
- Confirm you are not sending any prohibited or restricted items.
- Confirm you have understood our terms and conditions. Once you've completed the steps above, choose whether to pay with a debit or credit card or by PayPal.
After you've been through the payment process to complete your purchase, you'll get a payment confirmation and a collection confirmation email.
Viewing, amending and cancelling your collection
From your payment confirmation email you can use the payment confirmation page link to see your collection details.
Up until midnight the day before your collection, you can choose:
- Amend a booked collection
- Choose a different collection address or different timeslot
- Cancel the collection and get a refund
Rearranging your collection
If we haven't been able to collect your item because of a problem on our end, you will get a notification and be able to rearrange the collection or cancel the collection and get a refund.
If we can't collect the item because of an issue with the item or accessing the collection address then you will not be eligible for rebooking or a refund. Please see the Parcel Collect terms and conditions at royalmail.com/collection.
Once you've purchased your label you need to print it and attach it to your item. There are two ways you can print your label - on your own printer, or using our free Labels to Go service at your local Parcelshop - Post Office.
Printing on your own printer
Once you've purchased your label, clicking on the 'View your documents' or 'View Label 'button will provide you with the Printing Options dialogue containing the following:
- An option to print your labels using 6"x 4" format.
- Your postage label, which can be printed altogether or separately - Label, Proof of posting, CN22 and CN23 and attached to your package.
- An option to choose your desired label position if printing separately.
- Your certificate of posting form (Proof of Posting), which you can optionally get stamped when you drop your item off in case you need to claim compensation in the unlikely event that there's a problem delivering your item.
- Any necessary customs documentation - see the Sending items internationally section above.
Most devices will be able to open this document automatically. If you cannot open it, download download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Our free Labels to Go service can be used at your local Parcelshop - Collect+ or Parcelshop - Post Office
Depending on the service you're posting your item with, you should see a QR code in the confirmation email you receive after completing your purchase. Take this QR code to a Parcelshop - Collect+ or Parcelshop - Post Office where they’ll scan it and print the label for you. You can then attach the label to your item and drop it off while you’re there. Using Labels to Go is free – there’s no additional charge once you’ve paid for the postage.
Unfortunately our Labels to Go service cannot currently be used for items being posted using the following services at Parcelshop - Collect+ or Parcelshop - Post Office:
- Tracked 24/48 Age Verification.
- All International services with an item value greater than £270.
Unfortunately our Labels to Go service is not available for items being posted at a Royal Mail Delivery Office
What happens if there is a problem with my label or printout?
If something goes wrong with your label or printout, you can apply for a refund. Please refer to the Refunds section below for more information.
How long have I got to post my item once I've paid for a label?
Once you've paid for your label, you will need to post your item within seven days. This means that if you buy your label on a Monday, you have until the end of the following Monday to post your item. The post by date is printed on your label to remind you.
Bring My Label
If you don't have a printer at home, you might be able to ask us to bring a label to your door when we come to collect your items.
If you're in an eligible area, and your package is being sent to a recipient within the UK or internationally, then you will be able to select Bring My Label for eligible packages.
To find out more about Bring My Label, please visit royalmail.com/collection.
What do I need to log in?
If you already have a personal account at royalmail.com, or use the Royal Mail mobile app, you can use those details to log in at send.royalmail.com.
Why should I log in?
If you choose to log in, you will be able to see a history of all your previous collections and postage purchases from send.royalmail.com and the mobile app.
- You will also be able to select your previous sender addresses when creating postage.
We're not done yet, we're continuing to work on new things to add to the site, and at the moment we're working on reusing sending destination addresses, seeing tracking information for items you've sent, and a new homepage for logged in users.
Registering for an account
If you don't have a royalmail.com account yet, you can click the Register link at the top of our page and register.
Once you've registered, you can come back to send.royalmail.com and log in with your new account details.
How do I apply for a refund?
If you have the payment confirmation email that you received after you made your purchase, and it's still within 21 days of the purchase date, you can apply online by following the payment confirmation page link in the email. This will take you to the page that you will have been previously presented with when you first completed your purchase. Find the item you'd like to request a refund for and click the 'Request refund' button. If this button is not available for any reason, then please contact us. You can also visit our general Help and Support section.
How long do refund requests take to process?
Once received, we'll wait until after the 'Post by' date on your label and if the label hasn't been used, we'll submit a refund request to our payment provider within 5 working days. If your refund has been approved, your account will be credited within 21 days.
If you have any queries that relate to Send an item and any purchases or refunds you have made, please contact us. You can also visit our general Help and Support section.
If you have a query that relates to the service you receive at a Parcelshop - Post Office branch, please visit www.postoffice.co.uk/contact-us.