What UK postage actually costs
Postage prices are quoted a dozen different ways, and most of them leave something out. This page shows what a parcel really costs to send in the UK, what moves the price, and where the money goes. Prices start from £2.95 for a small tracked parcel, VAT included.
The five things that move your price
Five inputs decide what you pay, and four of them are yours to change before you book.
Size
Size band does more work than anything else. Dropping from medium to small can be worth more than switching carrier, which is why it is worth repacking before you quote.
Weight
Each carrier has weight brackets, and crossing one moves you to the next price. Carriers charge on actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher.
Route
Mainland to mainland is the baseline. Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Scottish Highlands and islands carry longer transit times and usually a surcharge. It is shown in the quote, not added afterwards.
Speed
Next day costs more than two day, which costs more than economy. If the deadline is soft, this is the easiest saving available.
Collection or drop off
Drop off is included in every quote. Collection is available on most services and carries a fee, shown before you pay.
What you pay, and how to pay less
Every quote on ParcelMatch breaks into three parts and nothing else. There is no subscription, no monthly minimum and no charge for comparing. You pay per parcel, only when you book.
What you are actually paying for
- The carrier rate, which is the wholesale price the carrier charges for that service on that route
- One small fixed platform fee, the same on every booking
- VAT, calculated and shown rather than added later
How to pay less without paying for a worse service
- Repack to the smallest honest box before you quote
- Drop off instead of booking a collection where you can
- Choose two day over next day unless the deadline is real
- Check the cover included before buying more of it
- If you send regularly, top up a prepay wallet and earn bonus credit from £100
Real prices on real routes
These are published starting prices on common UK routes, to give you a sense of the range before you quote.
| Route | Parcel | From | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to London | Small, 1kg | £2.95 | 2 days |
| London to Manchester | Small, 2kg | £3.79 | 2 days |
| Birmingham to Edinburgh | Medium, 5kg | £5.49 | Next day |
| Glasgow to Inverness | Small, 2kg | £6.49 | 2 days |
| Bristol to Belfast | Medium, 5kg | £8.20 | 2 days |
| Cardiff to Newcastle | Large, 10kg | £9.99 | Next day |
Your price will differ. These are starting points on those specific size and speed combinations, not a rate card.
Three parts, and nothing else
No subscription, no monthly minimum and no charge for comparing. You pay per parcel, only when you book.
Why comparison is cheaper than the counter
Walk into a shop and you get one carrier's published price. ParcelMatch pulls the wholesale rates that high volume retailers use and passes them on, which is where the saving of up to 60 percent against published walk-in rates comes from. No counter overheads, no subscription.
- Wholesale rates that high volume retailers use, passed on per parcel
- No counter overheads and no subscription
- Free to compare, with no account needed
Postage cost questions
The things senders ask before booking. Anything else, just ask.
How much does it cost to send a parcel in the UK?
Is VAT included in the price I see?
Do you charge a fee to compare prices?
Why is my postcode more expensive?
Are prices cheaper if I send regularly?
Price a particular parcel
Size and how you hand the parcel over move the price more than anything else on this page.
See what your parcel costs
Two postcodes and a parcel size. A full comparison across every carrier we support, in under two seconds, with every fee on the screen before you commit.
