Royal Mail customers may be surprised to learn that some parcels and letters cannot simply be left with a neighbour if they are not home to receive them. While many deliveries can be handed to someone nearby when nobody answers the door, there are certain items which Royal Mail says must be delivered directly to the intended recipient or require a signature.
Six items that require direct delivery
The postal service has outlined six types of items which can't be left with a neighbour, meaning customers may need to arrange a redelivery or collect them from their local customer service point. On the official Royal Mail website, the company explains: "Some items just can’t fit through a letterbox. So, we must deliver in person."
"If no one is there to receive an item that requires a signature or it isn’t possible to leave or get the item through the letter box, we’ll try to redeliver your item the next working day."
What happens if you miss a delivery
The six items that cannot be left with a neighbour are: Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed items; items from overseas which require a signature; items sent using the ID verification service which must be delivered to the named individual; items sent using the Age verification service if the neighbour appears to be under 25 and can’t provide appropriate ID; items sent using the Do Not Redirect service; and citations (which carry the appropriate instruction on the envelope) sent from the Scottish Courts via Royal Mail Signed For.
If the postal worker is unable to deliver one of these items, Royal Mail says they will leave a red 'something for you' card through the letter box and take the item back to the customer service point. Customers then have two options: they can either collect the item themselves or arrange a redelivery. For those looking to arrange another delivery date, the details of the arrangements can be found on the red card provided.
Time limits for collection
Royal Mail also advises customers not to leave it too long before dealing with an undelivered item. If mail cannot be delivered or is not collected, it will be kept at the customer service point for 18 days if it could not be delivered or there was not enough postage, or 21 days if a customs charge is due. After this period, the item will be returned to the sender using the same service it was originally sent with. The postal company adds: "After 19 days, you can contact the sender to find out if they’ve received the item."
