Shipping from the UK? Shippo supports Royal Mail for UK-based merchants. Here's what's available, how labels and refunds work, and what you can and can't send.
Royal Mail Services available through Shippo
Domestic services:
- Tracked 24
- Tracked 24 with Signature
- Tracked 48
- Tracked 48 with Signature
(Supported formats: Large Letter, Small Parcel, Medium Parcel)
| Note: All services include tracking. Return labels are not supported. |
Weight and size limitations
-
Large Letters
- Maximum weight: 1 kg (tracked services)
- Maximum size: 35.3 cm x 25 cm x 2.5 cm
-
Small Parcels
- Maximum weight: 2 kg
- Maximum length: 45 cm
- Maximum width: 35 cm
- Maximum thickness/depth: 16 cm
-
Medium Parcels
- Maximum weight: 20 kg
- Maximum length: 61 cm
- Maximum width: 46 cm
- Maximum thickness/depth: 46 cm
Sending books and printed papers
Royal Mail allows books and pamphlets up to 5 kg, with a couple of conditions:
- Mark packages between 2 and 5 kg containing books or pamphlets "Printed Papers" in the top-left corner of the front.
- Don't include personal correspondence with these shipments.
Prohibited and restricted items
Every Royal Mail shipment has to follow their rules on prohibited and restricted goods. If Royal Mail finds a prohibited item in transit, they'll destroy the package with no refund or compensation.
Prohibited items (never accepted)
- Aerosols (certain types)
- Ammunition
- Animals (alive or dead)
- Asbestos
- Batteries (loose lithium)
- Lighters and matches
- Clinical and Medical waste
- Corrosives (e.g., acid)
- Explosives or fireworks
- Flammable liquids and solids
- Toxic liquids, solids and compressed gases
- Gas cylinders
- Drugs and controlled substances
- Knives (certain types)
- Magnetized materials
- Paints and varnishes
- Pesticides
- Perfumes containing alcohol (when not properly packaged)
- Radioactive materials
- Oxidizing materials / Organic peroxides
- Weapons, ammunition, and replicas
Restricted items (May require special packaging or declarations):
- Alcohol (depending on ABV and quantity)
- Aerosols (cosmetic or medicinal, small quantities only)
- Batteries (lithium batteries have specific packaging and labeling requirements)
- Cash, cheques, and securities
- Electronic devices with lithium batteries
- Fragile or perishable goods
- Perfumes or aftershaves
- Nail varnish, polish or gel
- Live animals (only specific types of insects and other small creatures under certain conditions)
- Sharp instruments (e.g., scissors, tools)
- Tobacco products
You're responsible for following Royal Mail's shipping guidelines. For more detail, see Prohibited and Restricted Goods – Personal Customers and Shipping Dangerous Goods – Business Customers.
Shipping to the Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Sending goods or gifts to the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm) or the Isle of Man? Attach a customs declaration form, unless the shipment contains only documents.
Keep in mind:
- Customs checks can delay delivery.
- Consequential loss cover isn't available for these destinations.
Label creation and format
Royal Mail labels created in Shippo need the 4 x 6 in PDF label format (go to Settings > Labels & Packing Slips).
Labels are billed at the time of purchase and must be used within 7 calendar days of creation. After that, they're no longer valid and can't be refunded unless they meet the conditions below.
Refund policy
Request refunds within 7 calendar days of label creation. To qualify:
- Royal Mail hasn't scanned the label.
- The label stays unused for 5 additional calendar days after the 7-day window.
If we refund a label and Royal Mail later scans it, they'll rebill us, and we'll bill the cost back to your account.
Learn how to request a refund in Refund a Label Created in Shippo.
Claims for lost or damaged shipments
See Filing a Claim for a Lost or Damaged Shipment to file a claim.
Complaints (non-claims)
For general Royal Mail complaints unrelated to a lost or damaged shipment, contact them directly through the Royal Mail Customer Support Portal.
Carrier adjustments
If your actual package weight or dimensions exceed what you declared at label creation, Royal Mail may issue an adjustment. We bill these at the higher rate and pass them through to your Shippo account. See Understanding Carrier Adjustments in Shippo for more.
Service levels and delivery times
| Service | Estimated Delivery Time | Guaranteed Delivery |
| Tracked 24 | 1 business day* | No |
| Tracked 48 | 2 business days* | No |
*Delivery speed can vary by postal code exclusions. Because Royal Mail's service isn't guaranteed, late deliveries aren't eligible for refund or compensation.
Drop-off and delivery exceptions
Drop parcels at any Royal Mail collection location: Find a Parcel Drop-off Location. For delivery exceptions and conditions, see Royal Mail Delivery Exceptions.
Other Common Questions
How do I enable Royal Mail on my account?
Reach out to our support team and we'll turn it on for you.
Can shipments be intercepted or rerouted?
No, this isn't available for shipments created in Shippo.
Does Shippo support Royal Mail pickups?
No, you can't schedule pickups for Royal Mail shipments in Shippo.
Is address validation available?
No, neither Shippo nor Royal Mail validates addresses for these shipments.
If a customer contacts Royal Mail directly, will they get redirected to Shippo?
If Royal Mail can tell the shipment came from Shippo, they'll try to redirect the customer. Otherwise, they may handle it directly.