The cheapest way to send a parcel in the UK

Postage prices have risen sharply over the last few years, but there's a lot of difference between the most expensive way to send a parcel and the cheapest. Here's how to make sure you only ever pay what you need to.

1. Get the size band right

Royal Mail charges by size first, weight second. The jump from Large Letter to Small Parcel is the most expensive mistake people make: a 2nd Class Large Letter up to 100g is £1.55, while a 2nd Class Small Parcel is £4.60.

A Large Letter can be up to 35.3 × 25 × 2.5cm and 750g. Flat clothes, slim books and games often fit if you pack them in a thin mailing bag instead of a box. See our parcel size guide for all the limits.

2. Buy online, not at the counter

Royal Mail now prices its tracked services bought online below standard parcels at the counter. A Small Parcel by Tracked 48 bought online costs £3.75 for up to 1kg – less than 2nd Class at the Post Office (£4.60) and you get tracking. You can print the label at home or get a QR code to show at the counter.

3. Compare couriers for anything bulky or heavy

Couriers such as Evri, InPost, Yodel and DPD charge mainly by weight, while Royal Mail charges by size. That means light but bulky items – a pair of boots, a coat, a board game – are often far cheaper with a courier. Royal Mail's Medium Parcel starts at £7.50, whereas Evri's ParcelShop-to-ParcelShop service is £2.62 for up to 5kg.

4. Use a comparison site

Parcel comparison sites like Parcel2Go and Parcel Monkey buy courier services in huge volumes and resell them at a discount. For parcels over 2kg, and for anything going abroad, they are frequently the cheapest route.

5. Drop off instead of collection

Collection from your door is convenient but usually costs extra. ParcelShops and lockers are open long hours and dropping off is almost always the cheapest option. InPost lockers are open 24/7 and don't need a printer.

6. Weigh accurately

Being 10g over a weight band can cost you more than a pound. A set of digital parcel scales pays for itself very quickly if you send things regularly. Weigh the item after packing – the box and padding count.

7. Don't over-insure (or under-insure)

Standard services include basic compensation – usually £20 to £75. Only pay for extra cover when the item is worth more than that. For valuable items, Special Delivery Guaranteed (from £9.95) includes up to £750 of cover.