UK Shipping Guide
Everything you need to know to ship your parcel safely and affordably.
How to weigh and measure your parcel
Use a kitchen scale for parcels under 5kg. For larger items, bathroom scales work. Measure L×W×H with a tape measure — carriers use volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 5000) if it's higher than actual weight. Always round up to the nearest whole cm and 0.1kg.
Choosing the right packaging
Double-wall cardboard for items over 2kg or fragile goods. Jiffy bags for soft items under 500g. Never leave void space — fill with bubble wrap or paper. Tape all seams. Write addresses clearly and include a return label inside the box in case the outer label gets damaged.
International shipping from the UK
Post-Brexit, all EU shipments need a customs declaration (CN22 or CN23). Most carriers generate this automatically at booking. Declare the accurate item value — under-declaring can cause customs delays or fines. For high-value items (£250+), consider DHL or UPS for dedicated customs clearance.
Parcel insurance and compensation
Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 covers up to £100 by default. DPD includes £100 standard cover. DHL and UPS offer higher limits with add-on insurance. Evri's standard compensation is lower — consider adding their Protection service for items over £50. Always keep the original receipt for claims.
Understanding delivery speeds
"Next day" means next business day if dropped off before the carrier cut-off (usually 5-6pm for parcelshops, earlier for collection). Bank holidays don't count. Saturday delivery usually costs extra. International "2-3 days" is customs clearance at origin — allow 1-2 more days for any delays.
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