Posting parcels containing letters.

[infobleep]

Why is it that some Post Office staff ask if there is a letter contained inside a parcel when posting something? My mum said she is sometimes asked this question.

I tried to look this up online but couldn't find anything about it. Does anyone know?

 

[Lucan]

Never been asked that, but they do always ask what is inside. They don't like batteries or chemicals.

 

[Gloster]

Is the parcel going abroad? I don’t know if it still applies, but some countries used to insist that parcels contained no personal correspondance.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Never been asked that, but they do always ask what is inside. They don't like batteries or chemicals.

Undamaged batteries can be shipped Royal Mail, and other parcel carriers, subject to a whole raft of conditions chiefly (for Lithium Ion batteries) that a standard warning label is applied to the package. If you tell them it's a battery at the post office they'll just whack the label on it.

 

[randyrippley]

Historically there were different postage rates for letters and parcels.

 

[infobleep]

Historically there were different postage rates for letters and parcels.

Thanks, I thought this might have been the case.

I suspect some staff might be living in the past or my mum has a long memory.

 

[mikeg]

As stated it's dangerous good screening to prevent people from inadvertently sending prohibited items through the post.

 

[Lucan]

Historically there were different postage rates for letters and parcels.

There still are. https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2023-11/online-price-guide-november-2023-v2.pdf

By their own definitions, anything up to 353 x 250 x 25 mm is a letter (in two size steps), anything over is a parcel, irrespective of what is in it. I have sent "letters" with nothing in them but a computer disk, and a parcel containing a book of memoirs with numerous copies of letters in the text. Beats me why the PO would be concerned about anything but the weight, size, and possibly dangerous content. Having said that, there was once a cheaper rate for a postcard than for a letter - anyone remember sending holiday postcards?

 

[ChrisC]

Never been asked that, but they do always ask what is inside. They don't like batteries or chemicals.

I’ve never been asked what is inside a parcel. They usually just ask if there is anything valuable inside that may be more safer being sent special or recorded delivery.

 

[londonbridge]

Not sure if it still exists but there is/was a cheaper “small packet” rate which I used to use for sending gifts and other items to a US friend, but you couldn’t include any personal correspondence, if the PO twigged there was a letter inside you were charged the full rate.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Believe you can't send any letters using the cheaper "Royal Mail International Economy" service to European addresses. And you can only send books up to 5kg to the Republic of Ireland using the economy service.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Having said that, there was once a cheaper rate for a postcard than for a letter - anyone remember sending holiday postcards?

I have one in my jacket pocket. I just need to remember to post it!

 

[randyrippley]

There still are. https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2023-11/online-price-guide-november-2023-v2.pdf

By their own definitions, anything up to 353 x 250 x 25 mm is a letter (in two size steps), anything over is a parcel, irrespective of what is in it. I have sent "letters" with nothing in them but a computer disk, and a parcel containing a book of memoirs with numerous copies of letters in the text. Beats me why the PO would be concerned about anything but the weight, size, and possibly dangerous content. Having said that, there was once a cheaper rate for a postcard than for a letter - anyone remember sending holiday postcards?

I think the difference was that letters and parcels went through different handling and distribution networks, with different key performance targets on time taken

 

[Marton]

There are special rates for “printed papers” which should not include personal correspondence. I think it’s just for overseas only.

 

[infobleep]

There still are. https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2023-11/online-price-guide-november-2023-v2.pdf

By their own definitions, anything up to 353 x 250 x 25 mm is a letter (in two size steps), anything over is a parcel, irrespective of what is in it. I have sent "letters" with nothing in them but a computer disk, and a parcel containing a book of memoirs with numerous copies of letters in the text. Beats me why the PO would be concerned about anything but the weight, size, and possibly dangerous content. Having said that, there was once a cheaper rate for a postcard than for a letter - anyone remember sending holiday postcards?

I still send postcards now and again. Only when on holiday though and usually from aboard.

 

[cb a1]

There are special rates for “printed papers” which should not include personal correspondence. I think it’s just for overseas only.

I lived in S. America in the mid 90s. I have a recollection of one or more of the UK newspapers having an overseas version which was printed on very thin paper to keep down costs?
I've also still got a collection of Aerogrammes that my sister sent me in the 70s / 80s when she lived in Australia for a few years.

 

[Gloster]

I lived in S. America in the mid 90s. I have a recollection of one or more of the UK newspapers having an overseas version which was printed on very thin paper to keep down costs?
I've also still got a collection of Aerogrammes that my sister sent me in the 70s / 80s when she lived in Australia for a few years.

The Grauniad Weekly was printed on paper that had the texture and weight of cigarette paper. It was sent in a wrapper (rather than an envelope) which I think was required for such ‘Printed Papers’.