Royal Mail has warned customers that not following one important rule when sending a parcel, card, or letter could result in a fee. Senders who do not place their stamp in the top right-hand corner on the front of the item risk the recipient having to pay between £1.50 and £7.
Why the stamp position matters
Royal Mail's sorting machines are programmed to scan that specific area of the item. If the stamp is not there, the machines may mark the item as having no postage paid, meaning the person receiving it will have to pay the price for it. The item is also likely to be delayed if the stamp is not in the right-hand corner.
What happens if the stamp is misplaced
Those who receive mail with the stamp in the incorrect place can visit the sorting office to inspect the envelope. If they do not know who sent it or do not want to pay the fee, the item will be kept for 18 days before it is returned to the sender or destroyed.
Other rules to avoid delays
Royal Mail states that customers must follow a few other rules to avoid delays or fees. The stamp needs to be placed completely flat and visible with the Queen or King's head facing the right way up. The area around the stamp must also be kept clear, as Royal Mail uses the space for tracking codes and digital postmarks. Writing over the stamp makes it hard for Royal Mail machines to read the tracking code.
Royal Mail previously advised: "The days of licking stamps are over. Just peel your stamp and stick it in the top right-hand corner of your letter. You'll need your stamp to be clearly visible, not bent over an edge and on the same face of your parcel as the address. Many stamps contain barcodes to assist in tracking, so it's important that the stamp is flat and easy to scan."
