Making sure your items are safe and secure is easy. Simply wrap, pack and address them correctly.
Write the address clearly on the front following ourclear addressing guide lines and always include a postcode when you can. You can search for up to 50 postcodes or addresses, free of charge, with our Postcode Finder.
We use machines to sort your mail and occasionally this can result in packaging being damaged. If we spot a damaged item we will place it in a Royal Mail bag to try and prevent further damage, but it's better to package it correctly first. Please follow these guidelines to make sure your eligibility for compensation isn't affected if the item doesn't arrive as expected.
General advice for wrapping and packaging your mail
- Use padded envelopes for sharp edges or odd shapes.
- Make sure any outer containers are strong enough for their contents.
- Fragile items shouldn't touch either each other, or the side of the container.
- Fill out containers with cushioning material like bubble-wrap or polystyrene chips (available from most Post Office® branches).
- Write a return address on the item.
- Put a contact name, address and telephone number inside.
- Seal securely with nylon or vinyl tape along all edges and openings.
- Flatten any sharp edge from staples or metal fastenings, and cover with tape.
- Use a 'FRAGILE' sticker, if necessary.
Guidance on wrapping and packaging specific items
Please check ourprohibited and restricted information andCountry guides to make sure your item can be sent in the mail, and any specific conditions, including wrapping & packaging advice.
Prohibited and restricted itemsinclude, but are not limited to; aerosols, alcohol, batteries, crackers, electronic items, lighters, liquids, matches, medicines, nail varnish, paints, perfumes and perishables.
Articles for the Blind
- "Articles for the Blind" must be written, printed or appear on a label on the front cover.
- Write the sender's name and address clearly on the outer packaging.
- All mail posted using this service is subject to inspection and so must be left open, be easy to open and re-seal or the contents must be visible through the packaging.
Exceptions may be made for heavy; up to 7kg, or fragile items that may be unsafe or impractical to remain unsealed. These items may be sent sealed as long as prior notice is given to Royal Mail, please call us on 08456 076 140 or 08456 000 606 (text phone).
More information onArticles for the Blind
Books
The binding and corners of books can get damaged and should be sent with sufficient packaging material to ensure no damage is incurred.
- Small books: padded envelope.
- Larger books: corrugated fibreboard book pack, giving 2.5cm clearance at each end.
Cameras / Projectors
If you're sending batteries either with or connected to your item, also see royalmail.com/prohibitedgoods
- Detach any lens or additional pieces, and if possible use the original retailer's packaging.
- Surround in a minimum of 5cm of cushion material and place in a rigid container.
Cash or Money
- Money should be packaged securely and shouldn't be visible from the outside.
- Don't indicate anywhere on the packaging that money is enclosed.
- Coins should never be sent in envelopes - our automated sorting machinery may damage envelopes containing coins, which can lead to delay in delivery and increase the likelihood of the contents being lost.
Additionaladvice on sending money in the UK
Computer disks, audio and DVDs and CDs
- Wrap cushioning material at least 2cm thick around each item.
- Pack in a rigid, purpose-made container.
- We recommend that you use screened envelopes for computer disks.
Electronic items
- If you're sending batteries in or with your electronic item please check ourprohibited and restricted information.
- For small items e.g. iPods,MP3, eBooks, sat nav etc - surround with a minimum of1cm of cushioning e.g. bubble wrap.
- For Medium to Large items e.g. iPads, portable DVD players, laptops, flat screen TV's printers, blue ray players etc - surround with a minimum of 5cm of cushioning e.g. bubble wrap, polystyrene chips or polyblocks to protect from knocks orvibration.
- Ensure the pins/plugs are covered in 1cm of cushioning to prevent damage to contents and outerpackaging.
- Remove all additional or loose parts and wrap each item individually.
- Items must be securely placed in a strong, rigid outer container e.g. corrugated fibreboard box and cushioned to avoid movement and packed to prevent accidental activation.
- Packaging must be of adequate size and securely sealed so items can't fall out during transit.
- The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
Films
- Seal in polythene with address details clearly visible.
- Put in a strong inner container.
- Pack loosely in a padded envelope and seal securely.
- Write the sender's name and address clearly on the outer packaging.
Fragile items, i.e. Glass, China, Resin, etc.
Our videoshows you how to package fragile items securely
- Use some bubble wrap at least 5cm thick and wrap the extremities of the item e.g. limbs of figurines, ears, etc. Then wrap the rest of the item carefully.
- Place the item in a strong rigid container, which is ideally the correct size for the item.
- If the container is a little large use more bubble wrap or packing foam to secure the item in place within the box.
- Seal the container securely.
- Address your parcel with the full name, address and postcode, remembering to add a return address, then attachthe correct postage for the service you need.
Keys
Our videoshows you how to package keys securely
- Write your name and contact number on a label and attach it to your keys.
- Take two pieces of cardboard, put the keys between them and tape it all together.
- Place it into a padded envelope, which is the correct size.
- Seal the envelope securely.
- Address your envelope with the full name, address, and postcode, remembering to add a return address, then attach the correct postage for the service you require.
Leaflets and brochures
- Up to 1cm thick: padded bag, heavy-duty cardboard envelope or polythene shrink-wrap.
- Up to 5cm thick: corrugated paper, thick paper or polythene shrink-wrap.
Magazines and newspapers
- You can fold or roll publications in a paper wrapper but this is not ideal.
- Up to 1cm thick: padded bag, heavy-duty cardboard envelope or polythene shrink-wrap.
- Up to 5cm thick: corrugated paper, thick paper or polythene shrink-wrap. Seal in polythene with address details clearly visible.
Maps, plans and drawings
- Place in a rigid cardboard or plastic tube (maximum length 90cm).
Memory card
Our videoshows you how to package memory cards securely.
- Take two pieces of cardboard, put the memory card between them and tape it all together.
- Write your name and phone number on the cardboard.
- Place it into a padded envelope, which is the correct size for the item.
- Seal the envelope securely.
- Address your envelope with the full name, address and postcode, remembering to add a return address, then attach the correct postage for the service you require.
Mobile Phone
If you're sending batteries either with or connected to your item, also see royalmail.com/prohibitedgoods
Our videoshows you how to package mobile phones securely.
- Wrap the mobile phone with a piece of bubble wrap at least 1cm thick.
- If you're including a plug, cover the plug pins with extra bubble wrap.
- Place the phone in a rigid container, which is ideally the correct size for the item.
- If the container is a little large, use more bubble wrap or packing foam to secure the phone in place, within the box.
- Seal the box securely.
- Address your parcel with the full name, address and postcode, remembering to add a return address, then attachthe correct postage for the service you require.
Powders and fine grains (e.g. tea, coffee)
- Place inside a strong container such as strong polythene bag and seal securely with tape.
- Place inside a second container and seal again.
- The double-wrapped item should be placed in a rigid corrugated box to prevent leakage or tainting of other items.
- The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
Prints, frames and mounted canvas
- Wrap cushioning material at least 5cm think around each item.
- Place between thick board or polystyrene giving 2.5cm clearance at each end.
- If glass is in the frame there needs to be a surround of a minimum of 10cm of cushion material and placed in a rigid container.
Prints (unframed)
- Wrap in tissue paper.
- Place in a heavy duty cardboard envelope or if possible roll and send in a rigid tube, seal and clearly mark package PHOTOGRAPHS - DO NOT BEND.
Records (vinyl discs)
- Place between thick card and surround with cushioning material at least 2.5cm longer than the item.
- Wrap in strong paper, seal with tape and clearly mark package RECORDS - DO NOT BEND.
USB memory stick
Our videoshows you how to packageUSB memory stickssecurely
- Take two pieces of cardboard, put the USB drive between them and tape it all together.
- Write your name and phone number on the cardboard.
- Place it into a padded envelope, which is the correct size for the item.
- Seal the envelope securely.
- Address your envelope with the full name, address and postcode, remembering to add a return address, then attach the correct postage for the service you require.