Royal Mail has increased the cost of several parcel delivery services ahead of Christmas, prompting MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to advise customers to compare prices with other couriers before sending festive gifts.
The changes took effect on October 5, with some services now costing more than £1 extra per parcel. First-class medium parcels bought at a Post Office have risen from £15.45 to £16.90, while second-class medium parcels have gone up from £13.15 to £14.20, an increase of £1.05.
Larger rises for tracked and signed-for services
The price of sending a first-class Signed For medium parcel has increased by £1.45, taking the cost to £18.50. Customers using Royal Mail Tracked 24 for a medium parcel will now pay £17.05, up from £15.65.
Smaller items have also been affected. Tracked 24 large letters have risen from £3.95 to £4.15, while Tracked 48 large letters now cost £3.45 instead of £3.30.
Special Delivery and collection fees
Those needing an urgent delivery could face an even bigger bill. Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am service has jumped from £74.95 to £82.95, an £8 increase. The surcharge for having Royal Mail collect a parcel has also risen from 30p to 50p per item.
MSE highlighted the changes in its weekly round-up published on Friday, October 23. It suggested that while Royal Mail can often be good value for parcels weighing under 1kg, customers sending heavier items should compare prices with discount courier websites.
Peak surcharge for business customers
Royal Mail confirmed that its October changes affected a range of services, including first and second-class parcels, tracked deliveries, Signed For parcels and Special Delivery. The company has also announced a separate peak surcharge for certain business account customers, running from November 2, 2026, until January 10, 2027.
For shoppers preparing to post Christmas presents, the advice is to check prices online and compare delivery options before heading to the Post Office, as even small differences in postage costs can add up when sending several gifts.
